The Date of the Century, part 2

Well, the next morning (Aug. 11, 1998) Bruce told me that he had to go to some big pizza training/convention in Nashville for the morning. I didn't entirely believe him because 1. they'd never done that before, and 2. Bruce had been acting a little strange for a week or so. But anyway, he got in his pizza clothes and drove away, so I figured he must really be doing what he said. So I hopped in the shower and got ready for my day. When I got out of the shower my visiting teachers were in the house, packing up my kids and taking them away! On my front porch I found a red rose, a disposable camera and a note:

Dearest Loralee,
I can not be without you any longer: I must see you, today! I have made arrangements to be with you for a day and a night—alone.
But more of that in a moment. Sharon Bell will watch the children until tomorrow afternoon. Leave her any instructions she may need.
Go ahead and have a shower, fix your hair, and dress to go shopping. Bring the rose and camera with you. Take the van to Castner Knott's and go to the women’s shoe department. Don't take long! They will be expecting you at 11:30 AM.
I have waited, so very long, for this day!
Your Admirer

What a fun surprise! So off I went. I was expecting to see Bruce when I got there, but no . . . he wasn't there. :-( But the girls who worked in the shoe department knew who I was (the rose) and they were very excited to see me. They helped me choose a nice pair of shoes (Bruce had made arrangements ahead of time so that I didn't even have to pay for anything myself.) Then they took my picture with the disposable camera, and gave me another red rose with another note.

To be continued tomorrow . . .