"What do you mean we won't use it?" Sheldon argued logically. "With a computer, I can file the family taxes much more efficiently. Plus, the database software can archive all our family recipes. And, it can be used to chat with strangers on the internet. It can also be used to watch cartoons..."
Sheldon was smart enough to lead with the practical benefits the computer would offer the family, hoping to make his request more persuasive.
Clearly, his pitch was working.
Hearing that a computer could simplify filing taxes, George was actually tempted. But after thinking it over, he shook his head and admitted, "I'm sorry, Shelly. We just don't have the extra money for a computer right now."
Hearing George's refusal, Missy, who was looking forward to cartoons, and Georgie, who was excited about chatting with girls online, both hung their heads in disappointment.
As Cooper kids, they understood the family's financial struggles well enough not to push it.
Just as the kids were losing hope, Mary suddenly spoke up. "Maybe we can scrape together enough for it. I have over a thousand dollars put away..."
"What? You have a secret stash?" George couldn't sit still hearing that.
The Cooper family finances were usually very transparent. As far as George knew, the public ledger showed they were broke. If his wife could suddenly produce a thousand dollars, it meant she had been hiding money.
Mary hadn't been working at the church for very long, and her salary wasn't high.
Doing the math, Mary's stash must have been accumulated over a long period. Back then, the only income source was George's paycheck.
The conclusion was obvious: Mary had been saving a private slush fund using George's wages.
This realization made George, who was already feeling insecure about his recent job troubles, feel even worse.
"I saved that money by cutting corners on daily household expenses..." Mary didn't think there was anything wrong with having a rainy-day fund. She then turned the tables on him. "And don't tell me you don't have money stashed away somewhere."
"I..." George wanted to deny it, but what man doesn't have a secret stash? Cornered, he grumpily admitted, "I have three hundred dollars. But I earned every cent of that..."
Mary didn't notice her husband's bruised ego. She was busy calculating. "I have a thousand, you have three hundred... plus our current paychecks. Maybe by the end of next month, we can afford the computer."
It was clear that Mary placed a high priority on her youngest son's needs.
However, her unintentional dismissal of his feelings only annoyed George further.
---
Already feeling like his status in the house was plummeting, George snapped, "No. You are not taking my money. I'd rather spend it on beer."
Mary couldn't empathize with her husband's pettiness. She shot back, "With your health, you shouldn't be drinking that much beer anyway. We're better off using that money for a computer. It's good for everyone..."
"So now you want to take away my right to drink beer?" Lately, George had been relying on beer to cope with his work frustrations. He immediately got defensive.
Seeing the couple's argument heating up and scaring the children, Meemaw quickly chimed in. "I have some savings. How about I pay for it?"
In Meemaw's eyes, the computer was the source of the conflict. If she solved that problem, the tension in the Cooper house would vanish.
However, as the argument dragged on, the issue wasn't just about the computer anymore.
Besides, a computer wouldn't help Meemaw's life at all, so there was no reason for her to foot the bill.
Just as George and Mary were about to start digging up old grievances, Mike, who had finished his dinner, looked up and spoke. "Actually, I've been planning to buy a computer recently. If anyone needs to use it, you're welcome to borrow it when I'm not on it."
"Really? Mike, can I borrow it to watch cartoons?" Missy asked immediately.
Mike smiled and nodded.
"Can I borrow it to chat with people?" Georgie asked, equally excited.
Mike nodded again.
Since Mike buying a computer was different than Meemaw paying for theirs, Mary had no reason to object. Still, she asked, "Mike, what do you plan to use the computer for?"
"Stocks," Mike answered concisely.
Lately, Mike had realized just how important financial freedom was for a man. Looking at George, whose status in the family was hitting rock bottom, served as a cautionary tale of what happens when a man lacks funds.
With his foresight of future trends, Mike knew that stock trading was the easiest and simplest way for him to make money right now.
This was the era where the American economy was about to take off. Semiconductors, vending machines, retail, and internet companies were all developing at breakneck speed.
As long as he hitched a ride on this wave, Mike was confident he could achieve financial freedom through short-term trading.
"Stocks?" Mary didn't know much about that industry, so she didn't press further.
With a legitimate reason to buy a computer, Mike had indirectly helped the Cooper family dodge a massive domestic dispute.
---
Saturday morning arrived—the day of Pastor Jeff's wedding.
Since Mary had personally organized the wedding preparations, she insisted that the entire Cooper family, along with Meemaw and Mike, attend the ceremony.
The usually solemn church was now decked out with colorful ribbons and fresh flowers, giving it a much warmer atmosphere.
The pews were packed with believers and family members, everyone wearing celebratory smiles.
The only person in the room who looked unhappy was probably George, who was sitting in the front row next to his wife with a long face. Obviously, the "computer incident" from yesterday had left a bad taste in his mouth.
To the sound of church bells, Pastor Jeff walked slowly down the aisle, holding Robin's hand.
Once they reached the altar, an elderly minister began to read the vows.
In this holy moment, watching the happy couple on stage, Mary felt a tug at her heartstrings. She remembered the happy times she and George shared when they were young.
Slowly, Mary reached out and took her husband's large hand.
George looked surprised at first, but then a small smile appeared on his face.
On stage, the ceremony was coming to an end with Jeff's "I do."
"You may now kiss the bride," the minister announced.
Jeff and Robin, who had been waiting for this moment, immediately embraced.
Then, they proceeded to perform a minutes-long make-out session for everyone in attendance.
"Why do I have to spend my weekend watching two middle-aged people swap spit?" Sheldon muttered, eyes wide.
His sentiment was shared by many in the church.
This awkward scene made Mary, the wedding planner, frown deeply. She silently prayed that the couple on stage wouldn't do anything even more inappropriate.
Unfortunately, Jeff and Robin, who were clearly fired up, were about to let Mary down.
"OMG..."
Gasps filled the room as Pastor Jeff decided to use tongue, causing many parents to cover their children's eyes.
Mary, naturally, was quick to cover Sheldon and Missy's eyes to protect them from the R-rated visual.
Finally, amidst the good-natured laughter of the adults, a frantic Pastor Jeff practically carried Robin out of the church.
"Why are they in such a hurry? Where are they going?" Missy asked curiously, watching their retreating figures.
"To go home, unwrap the candy, and do something fun..." Meemaw explained to Missy with a mischievous grin.
"Judging by their behavior, perhaps they just really need to use the restroom. I've had that urgency before," Sheldon's voice piped up from the side, offering a calm, analytical take.
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