To celebrate Amelia’s raise, George brought home some cupcakes from Amelia’s favorite bakery. And after dinner that night, they each had a luscious bit of baking. Amelia’s cupcake was raspberry white chocolate, and George’s was blueberry cream.
“I’m very proud of you,” George said. “You’re so very smart and hard working.”
“Thank you, George,” Amelia said, beaming at him. “What should we do with the extra money? Is there anything we need?”
“This is the first Very Serious Financial Question we’ve had since we got married,” George said. “The last one was about the centrepieces at our wedding.”
“I know,” Amelia agreed. “And I was thinking that perhaps we should look at getting a new car. Ours is all rusty, and pieces keep dropping off of it.”
“I didn’t want to worry you, but it’s started making that clunking noise again,” George said.
So it seemed that the Frogs would need to start shopping for a new car. Amelia was excited. She longed for something shiny and new. George was nervous. Shopping for a car was Very Serious Business, and it would take hours and hours of research into every make and model.
Amelia smiled brightly, and George got a knot in his stomach.
It was the Very First Big Financial Purchase of their marriage.
Looking for a new car was Very Serious Business, and George spent his time after work comparing different cars. How he longed to buy his wife a BMW or Mercedes. Wouldn’t Amelia love it?
Except they were newly weds, and very nearly broke after their wedding expenses, and they would not be purchasing a shiny, new car. They would have to look at used cars.
“George!” Amelia called from the other room. “My mother sent me pictures of their visit with Grandma. Do you want to see them?”
George was very focused on his car shopping, but he sighed. Amelia’s parents were now part of his family, as was her grandmother. This was a big adjustment, because Amelia’s family was much different from his. His family was stoic and proper. Amelia’s family was boisterous and loud. They would have Very Big Opinions about what car he and Amelia bought.
“All right,” he called back. “But do me a favor and don’t tell your mother that we’re buying a new car.”
There was a pause.
“Amelia?” he called.
“I’m sorry, Georgie, it’s too late,” Amelia said sorrowfully. “I already told her.”
George and Amelia loved a blueberry oatmeal breakfast. It was filling and healthy, and ever so tasty with a fresh jug of milk.
“Why don’t you want my mother to know we’re going to buy a new car?” Amelia asked.
“Because they will be very excited about it, and they’ll think they get a vote in which car we buy,” he replied. “And this is our choice. Yours and mine.”
“Of course, George,” she said.
“And they think that I make more money than I do at the office,” he said, “and they’ll expect me to get something far outside our budget.”
“True…” Amelia sighed. “But they do love you, George. They think you’re absolutely wonderful.”
“I hope they still think so after they see what we can actually afford!” George muttered. “Please pass the milk, Amelia.”
Amelia passed the milk, and in her mind she had a vision of their shiny new car, and how wonderful it would be to drive it. George really did worry more than he needed to, but she loved him all the same.
I hope you’re enjoying Amelia and George’s adventures in early marriage. I’m sure having fun with them! (And yes, that is real oatmeal and milk in the third vignette.)
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Happy reading!
❤
Patricia Johns 
Your comments make me feel warm and fuzzy. Seriously!