Liar's Moon

Twelve

Next to a simple yellow house, a blue poster proudly displayed the homeowner's service: "Marriages Performed Immediately." The poster also gave information that free music and photographs will be provided as well as the name of the owner. The blue truck stopped next to it and Jack stood outside in his white button-up shirt. He waited for his lover in her white summer dress and straw hat. Jack saluted to an older gentleman who was exiting the house, and the two youths started to approach the front porch. Ringing the doorbell, the two waited patiently until a woman in a floral nightgown answered it, her hair in curlers.
"Ugh, so early? My, you two must really want to get married," she told them.
"Yes, ma'am," Jack replied.
Grabbing a jug of milk, the woman studied the two and smiled politely.
"Well, come on in. I'll wake up the justice."
Ginny thanked the woman and the two stepped inside the home.
A short while passed as the two waited when an older man smiled excitedly at the couple.
"Howdy, young folks!" he greeted, "Clara tells me you're just raring to get hitched."
He walked over to the brown corduroy couch Jack and Ginny were sitting at and extended his hand to the young man. Jack reached his own and they both shook hands.
"Well, that's a nice, nice way to start the day," he told them as Jack finished writing something down on a clipboard, "Just give me those forms there, we'll get things going."
Jack handed the man the clipboard as he continued to speak, his voice having an upward cadence that built his pitch.
"Step right up here, we can make this all nice and easy," he told the couple as he led them to the middle of the room. The two stood beside each other, facing the man and he looked at his wife.
"Clara, we're waiting!" he told her.
"Okay, just let me turn down the stove!" her voice called from the kitchen. When she entered the living room, she walked over to a wooden grand piano and sat down. She began to play a gentle tune as she sang, her voice loud and off-key. Quickly hushed by the man, she stopped playing and watched the couple.
"We're gathered here today," the justice began, "to wed the state of matrimony.. Andrew Jackson Duncan," he glanced at Jack, "...and Virginia Prudence Peterson," he glanced at Ginny. He looked at the smiling couple and caught a whiff of the air. His face contorted slightly before exclaiming,
"Something's burning!"
He turned his head to his wife, who's eyes widened as she gasped. "Bacon!"
Rushing to the kitchen, the justice continued to marry the couple together.
"By the powers invested in me in the state of Louisiana, I pronounce you man and wife."
He looked up from the clipboard with a smile and watched the young couple as they embraced each other tightly, sharing a kiss.
"Let's eat!" he said as he walked to the kitchen. He pulled Jack's hand and led him, making Jack stumble as he continued to kiss the golden-haired girl.

Pancakes and bacon were served with orange juice over the yellow gingham tablecloth in the kitchen. Jack and Ginny sat beside each other as they smiled at the older couple. The justice picked up a camera and made his way to the table.
"It was really good," Ginny told Clara, "Thank you."
"Oh, my pleasure dear," Clara replied. "The least we can do is start y'all off with a full stomach."
Jack smiled and sipped from his glass of orange juice as the justice raised his camera.
"Well, it's time to get ready for the picture," he reminded them, "Come on, now, smile."
Jack and Ginny moved closer to each other. Jack put his arm around his new wife while Ginny looked for a knife to cut the stack of pancakes. The couple smiled in the direction of the camera and it began to flash.
"Thaaat's fine," the justice smiled and looked at his camera, "It'll be ready in about a week. Where would you like me to mail it to?"
Jack crossed his arms as he looked down at the table.
"I don't know," he replied, "I'm really not sure. I wanna stay in Louisiana, find work somewhere."
The justice began to think for a moment.
"Well, they've built a new pipeline around Lacroix Parish. Course some days they hire and some days they ain't."
Jack smiled, "Yeah, well, I guess it's worth a try."
The justice nodded, "Well why don't I send a general delivery to Mentir? Now, there's a town you ought to go to!"
Jack and Ginny looked at each other for a moment before looking back at the man. They thanked him for his suggestion and began to make their way to the blue truck. They had an adventure together for a new life.