When he awoke the next morning, he feared his romantic encounter with Billie was just a dream. But he had built his entire life on the premise that dreams did come true. Who would have thought a barefoot boy who grew up busting up dirt clods on a dusty West Texas farm would become a prosperous principal comedian of a popular traveling tent show? What even gave him the thought he could do that? He was a country hick. He did not know enough to realize that he could not do it.
As he dressed, brushed his teeth and shaved, Harley decided he would continue his blissful ignorance that a smart, pretty girl would run off, marry him and join the tent show. Nodding his head with confidence, Harley headed back to the Cameron city hall to propose to Billie right away.
He ran to Fox who was sharing a joke with a group of local businessmen.
“I need to borrow your car, Mr. Fox,” he interrupted before his boss got to the punch line. “Business, you know.”
Used to the young man’s eccentric personality, Fox pulled out the key, passed it to Harley, and finished his joke without missing a beat.
Once he was in downtown Cameron, Harley headed directly to city hall, pausing to peer through the large window. There was Billie, bright and bubbling. She smiled and nodded at an elderly woman at her post at the counter. Harley admired the way she seemed to put the woman at ease, even causing her to chuckle. As the customer turned to walk away, he decided this was his chance to secure his future. Taking a deep breath, Harley bustled through the door.
“We’ve got big problems at the tent grounds!” He marched directly to Billie. “As an official representative of the Roy E. Fox Popular Players Company I must speak to an official of the town of Cameron immediately!”
A large, foreboding middle-aged woman stood at her desk in the back of the office. She looked like she was ready to do battle, and Harley was frightened he had thrown down the gauntlet in front of the wrong person.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Harmon,” Billie interjected. “I think I can handle this.”
Grunting, the woman sat and returned her interest to a stack of folders in front of her. Billie looked around at Harley, scrunched her nose and winked.
“Now what exactly is the problem, Mr.—ah, I didn’t quite catch your name.”
“Mr. Fox wants me to drive to Waco tomorrow to pick up some new costumes,” he whispered. “Do you want to go with me?”
“Oh, I think we can resolve that problem quite easily,” she replied in a loud official-sounding voice.
Mrs. Harmon looked up and, to Harley’s relief, smiled appreciatively and returned to her work.
“I couldn’t go that far in an automobile with a man unless he was my husband,” she said in a soft prudent Baptist tone.
“That can be arranged,” he answered in a hoarse voice.
Billie continued her conversation in an increased volume. “Excuse me, sir. But you’ll have to speak up.”
Harley reflexively reached for his throat. “It’s all the lines I have to say. Being principal comedian, I carry all the responsibility for the show so my voice just goes sometimes….”
“Yes.”
“Yes?!” Harley found his voice for an instant but it went away again. “Yes? Really?”
“What do you think?” She smiled like a coquette.
“You really want to marry me?”
“Yes.” Her voice carried throughout city hall.
Harley glanced nervously at Mrs. Harmon who looked up only momentarily. Regaining his composure, he announced in his best business manner, “I’m so please the town of Cameron has decided to cooperate.” He leaned in to add, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. When?”
“As soon as I get the license!” He laughed just like Toby, which caused Mrs. Harmon to look up.
“Oh, you already have your license, remember?” She seemed to enjoy teasing him. “You received that yesterday.”
Harley grinned. He liked the way she treated him. “Where do I go to get something like that?”
“County clerk’s office in the courthouse across the street,” she continued in her best business tone.
“Sshh,” he pleaded.
Billie ignored his request and kept her volume high. “I believe they can solve your problem.” She leaned in to whisper, “Don’t be so nervous.”
“I’m not,” he insisted. Harley steeled himself and spoke up. “Thank you, miss. I’ll see to that right away.” Reverting to a softer tone. “Tonight after the show.”
Billie’s eyes widened. She momentarily lost her composure. “Tonight after the show!?”
“Sshh.” Harley continued conspiratorially. “Um, I guess I can come by your house. Your parents can pick the minister and—“
“Oh no!” It was Billie’s turn to have an outburst which she quickly regretted. “I think we better elope.”
“Why?”
“I think it’s so romantic, don’t you?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“I’ll be waiting on the porch tonight.” Her eyes went soft with romance.
As Harley began to leave, he paused to wave and smile at Mrs. Harmon who was still busy going through the files.
“Nice dress, Mrs. Harley—“immediately catching his mistake he added, “I mean—Harmon.” He finally found his way out the door.
Billie couldn’t help but giggle but stopped abruptly when Harley re-entered.
“What’s your name?”
“Massengale. Billie Massengale.”
Harley repeated it a couple of times to commit it to memory. He was out the door, and Billie tried to resume her work at the counter but couldn’t concentrate because she was too excited. Harley had only been gone a few moments before coming back inside. Perhaps a principal comedian was aware that doing something three times created the maximum comedic impact.
“By the way,” he whispered as he leaned over the counter, “I love you.”
Billie pressed her dimples into their full glory. “I love you too.”
He paused long enough to cup her cheeks with his hands so he could kiss her firmly and with inspired passion. Finished he backed slowly to take in fully her classical beauty. He then skipped out the door and down the street.
Billie placed her elbows on the counter and cradled her face in her palms.
“Ooh la la,” she sighed, thinking of a dream about to come true.