going to do. Our company owns a nice hardware and auto parts store in Clayville, and they need an assistant manager. The pay will be pretty good, at least not bad for a young couple, and it's a steady job, with a real future. I've been speaking with Jesse Nichols, the manager, and he'd be glad to take you on. When you start up, you could get on-the-job training in marketing and such, so you'd be in a position to run a little business for starters, if everything works out."
Ainesley started to raise his hand. "Yessir, but--"
"Now, here's another thing. Jesse Nichols is close to retirement age. The job as manager will be open in a year or two, and you'd be the logical person to fill it. You might even find yourself in a position to purchase the business, given time, and maybe down the line you might want to expand some."
"Mr. Semmes--" His hand dropped back down.
"Now, here's one more thing. Elizabeth and I have been thinking about the right kind of wedding present for Marcie, and we've decided to do the following. We've found a real nice little starter house in Clayville that would be ideal for you and Marcie. Just blocks from the store. Nothing fancy, you know, but real nice. We've put down a binder fee on it, and if the job part looks okay to you, we're going to buy it for her and help give you both a really decent start in your marriage."
Jonathan Semmes paused. Ainesley remained quiet now, rendered speechless by all the largesse. New possibilities began to flow through his fertile imagination. The good life had just come within his grasp. Money, status, prestige among the other Codys and his friends.
Jonathan smiled brightly and lifted his hands, as though pleasantly surprised by his own offer. It was his favorite way of closing a deal.
"Well, what do you say? Is that okay with you? I know it will be with Marcie." In fact, he hadn't spoken to Marcie. He wanted Ainesley on his side first.
Ainesley was not a man to pass by an open door of opportunity, which in his life was rare and usually quickly closed.
"Why, that would be wonderful, Mr. Semmes. And I know Marcie will love it too."
The wedding was two months later, in St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Marcie wore an ankle-length white gown designed for her by the family's usual couturier, Thompson's on Dauphin Street. Ainesley looked sharp in rental black tie and shiny patent leather shoes. Jonathan gave his daughter away, and the elder of Ainesley's two brothers served as best man. Five of Marcie's closest friends, two from the neighborhood and three from Spring Hill College, were the bridesmaids. A surprising number of Ainesley's cousins, friends, and their families, a total of over thirty, made their appearance. An even larger number of friends of the immediate Semmes and Baldwin families, together with neighbors and friends, also showed up.
All from both sides shook hands and complimented the young couple. Elizabeth Semmes was in mild shock, deepened by one bourbon too many taken as an anesthetic after breakfast. She smiled nonetheless, and accepted congratulations. True to her upbringing, she did not break down or leave the assembly at any time. And she cried only during the ceremony, quietly, into a lace-edged handkerchief, socially correct to the end.
9
WHEN THE COUPLE returned from their honeymoon, it was to their newly purchased bungalow in Clayville. Two ladies from the Semmes Gulf Associates staff had thoughtfully furnished it with new kitchen appliances and basic pieces of furniture, leaving most of the remainder to Marcia's taste. The refrigerator and cupboards of the little house were filled with groceries. An inexpensive set of cooking utensils, dishes, and flatware were laid out, with the expectation that these would be replaced by Marcia. A bright floral arrangement sat upon the kitchen table. A working telephone under the name of "Cody, Ainesley" had been placed upon a shelf above the kitchen sink.
As they left for Sanibel Island and their honeymoon, Elizabeth had quietly handed Marcia a small leather handbag with her name engraved on it. A checkbook showing a balance of forty-two thousand dollars was discreetly tucked inside.
For his part, Jonathan had slipped Ainesley an envelope of thick white linen paper embossed in gold with Jonathan's name and the return address of Marybelle.
"This is a personal gift for you from the family," he said. Inside was a note handwritten in precise Palmer script.