Friday, October 28, 1910
Tommy sat behind Sam's desk at the church building working on a sermon. The doorbell rang on the front of the church building. Tommy began making his way to the foyer. It rang again. "I'm coming." He made it to the door.
"Good morning." 
"Howdy. Are you the pastor?"
"That depends on what you need me for. How can I help you?"
"I'm Artie Stafford. This is Mavis Gentry. We're from Havre. We want to get married."
"Oh, ok. Sam Hines, our regular minister will be back Sunday evening, he'll be happy to talk with you."
"Nope. Can't wait. We are in love and we want to get married right now." 
"Look, it's not that simple. Do you have a license?"
"No."
Tommy thought for a moment.
"Mr. Caruthers down the street is a notary public. He will be able to help you."
The woman spoke up, "And then can we come back here? I really want a church wedding."
The man was frustrated. "We have a train to catch at 12:30 pm."
Tommy said, "How about this? We will walk down to see Mr. Caruthers, he'll fill out the paperwork and then we'll come back here and I'll marry you."
The man looked at Tommy skeptically.
The woman said, "Come on, Artie. The Methodist and Baptist churches wouldn't help us at all."
Tommy replied, "Well, it's different at this church. I can help you out."
The man reluctantly replied. "Alright."
Tommy locked the door to the church building. He led them down the steps.
As they walked down the street, Tommy asked, "So, why didn't you just get married in Havre?"
The man replied churlishly, "Do I have to answer that?"
"I was just curious."
Mavis spoke up, "We're in love and we wanted to get married in this town. It's so pretty."
Tommy said, "Yes. It is a pretty town."
Sarah was walking down the sidewalk towards them, she waved at Tommy.
Tommy announced with much bravado, "And here is the prettiest girl in Eagle Creek: Sarah Conrad."
Sarah stopped. She nervously looked around and then cautiously smiled. 
Tommy ran towards her. He put out his arms.
Sarah was confused, but polite enough to put up her arms in reply.
He swept her up into his arms.
"Oh, darling, I love you! I love you so much."
Before she could squeak the word, "Really?" he kissed her and slipped her a note.
He asked, "Do you want to go dancing on Saturday night?"
Sarah hid the note. "Definitely. Saturday night would be wonderful. Let me ask my dad first."
She took off running down the street.
Tommy turned around and shrugged.
"Me and my girl Sarah are also in love. It's crazy and wonderful, don't you think?"
Mavis gave a delightfully feminine smile.
Artie nodded. "Come on, let's hurry up."
Tommy said, "Absolutely, here is Mr. Caruthers' office."
Tommy sat behind Mavis and Artie and read a magazine while Mr. Caruthers asked them for their birth-certificates. He then examined the certificates and filled out some paperwork.
Tommy asked, "You going to the big dance Saturday night?" 
Mr. Caruthers looked at Tommy funny. "What are you talking about?"
Tommy guffawed, "The big dance! The Walsdorf Rag Band is going to be there!
Last year they did that song: I love you truly, truly dear."
Mr. Caruthers thought a moment. "Oh yeah, I remember now. I like that song too."
Sarah came by and knocked on Mr. Caruthers' window.
"My dad says Saturday night would be great. My friend Julius is going to be there!"
Tommy smiled. "Yee-haw! I love to go dancing."
Sarah kissed the window and ran off.
Tommy began to do a silly jig around the office.
Mavis laughed at him. Artie was bewildered.
Tommy said, "I can't wait to hear them again. They had one tune that went like tada, tada, tada."
Artie turned around to Tommy. "Knock it off!"
Mr. Caruthers said, "Sorry, we just like to cut-a-rug in this town."
Artie glared at Mr. Caruthers. "You got that paperwork done, yet?"
Mr. Caruthers looked at Tommy and said, "I'm finished. Are you ready, preacher?"
Tommy was nervous. "Ok, well, you have everything in order?"
Mr. Caruthers nodded. Tommy looked out the window.
Artie was frustrated. "Why are you just standing around here? Let's go back to the church!"
Tommy nodded. They left.
As they walked down the street Tommy said, "Wait. Mavis doesn't have a wedding dress."
Artie said, "The dress she's wearing will do. Let's get married!"
"There's a bakery down the block. We should get a cake."
"I don't want no cake."
Tommy sheepishly replied, "Ok."
They sauntered back to the church. Tommy occasionally looked over his shoulder.
No one was in sight.
When they arrived at the church, Tommy pretended to look for the keys to the building.
"Quit acting like a danged fool and get this door opened!"
Tommy found the keys and opened the door.
Tommy turned around. "We don't have any piano."
"I don't want no music. Get the Bible and preach a wedding so we can go."
Tommy fidgeted. "$1 for the ceremony."
Artie sighed and rolled his eyes.
He gave Tommy a $1 bill.
Tommy picked up the Bible. He thumbed through the pages.
Artie shouted, "Quit stalling!"
Tommy gulped. "Fine." He cleared his throat. "Marriage is a beautiful institution. It was ordained by God in the Garden of Eden."
Artie interrupted him, "Get to the 'I do' part!"
Tommy sighed. He ran his fingers through his hair.
"Do you Mavis Gentry take Artie Stafford to be your husband?"
She smiled. "I do."
"Do you Artie Stafford take Mavis Gentry to be your wife?"
He nodded. "I do." He kissed her.
As they locked lips, Tommy mumbled, "I now pronounce you man and wife."
The couple smiled at each other.
They heard clapping.
Artie and Mavis turned around.
Julius asked, "Linda Gentry?"
Mavis replied, "Yes?"
Artie covered his face. "You idiot!"
She put her hand down. "No, I mean, my name is Mavis."
Sarah shook her head and said softly, "Mavis is your older sister."
Artie desperately looked at Julius. "You're too late. She's mine."
Julius shook his head. "Nope. Tommy is not a preacher." 
Artie took the piece of paper out of his pocket. He shook his fist and shouted, "I got a license."
Julius nodded. "You sure do. And if you ever want to fish in Sheridan County I won't stop you."
Artie looked at it and cringed. He mumbled, "Being in love ain't a crime."
Julius and Sarah walked to the front of the auditorium. As they approached, Julius took out his handcuffs.
"Artie, being in love is not a crime but sleeping with a thirteen-year-old girl when you're twenty is a crime."
Artie sighed and held out his hands. "I won't cause any more trouble."
Julius was relieved. "That's the first wise decision you've made in the last two days."
Tommy put the dollar bill back in Artie's coat pocket. "You might need this later."
Linda held on to him. "Artie loves me. My parents kicked me out of the house." She broke down crying.
Sarah put a hand on Linda's shoulder. "You can come home to my house. My mother will be there and you two can talk about your options. Your mother will be here Sunday afternoon to pick you up."
Linda shook her head. "Does she know about…?"
"She knows you're going to have Artie's baby. She'll help you make the right decision. It'll be alright."
Linda had tears in her eyes. She whispered, "Thank you."
Artie shook his head. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
Julius pointed to the door. "You can tell that to the judge back in Hill County. A deputy will pick you up in a couple of days."
Julius turned to Tommy. "Great work, son. I'm very proud of you."
Tommy nodded. "Thank you, Julius. Good luck Artie."
He nodded. "Thanks."
They left.
At 5 pm, Tommy was locking the side door to the church building when he heard a familiar voice.
"Easy week?" Sarah asked with a smile.
Tommy shook his head. "Disastrous. It's been sheer chaos for me."
Sarah shrugged. "Most things look easy."
Tommy smirked. "Going to school isn't that big of deal after-all."
Sarah asked coyly, "Do you really think I'm the prettiest girl in town?"
Tommy bit his lower lip. "I said that?"
Sarah nodded. "And you said that you love me."
Tommy swished his mouth and searched for the right response.
Sarah spoke for him. "It's ok. You did what you had to do."
Tommy nodded.
Sarah said coyly, "I'll accept that explanation, for now."
Tommy chuckled.
Sarah continued, "I'm going home. My mother has been talking with Linda and her mother by phone all day. Would you like to come over for dinner?"
He shook his head. "Actually, I have a better idea."
Tommy held out his arm, Sarah hooked it and they walked towards town.
Mrs. Johnson knocked on Mr. Conrad's office door. "Sir, the cleaners are here."
He grabbed his coat and hat. "Very good. Send them in."
He turned around; they were already in the office.
Michael smiled. "Now this is a curious sight."
Alma shrugged. "It's five o'clock; I'm here to clean the building."
Sarah added, "And if we help her, Alma could go to River City with us. She's never been on one of our Friday night trips. Together, we can do it in under an hour."
Michael looked over the children: Sarah, Tommy, Russell, Pete, Judy, and Alma, with much pride.
Alma said, "Let's get to work."
