courting1

Jane Marie proudly presents

Martha Bear® and Wink E Bear

in Bear Come a Courtin'
Part One - The Asking

For those of you who don't know but can imagine, Martha Bear® has many friends. Because she is so serious when it comes to her work as Senior Ursine* Editor at GraciousJaneMarie.com, she has sometimes found it necessary to hang a sign on the front gate of Stately Martha Manor, the seaside cottage she shares with Jane Marie and her family. Paw-painted with decorative floral touches by the gentle bear herself, the sign reads:

* I would love to play,

But you cannot stay,

For I have work to do.

Please come again, my dear sweet friend,

Then I will chat with you.

Martha Bear®

*Ursine = Bear. Martha Bear® likes to think of herself as an ursine because she uses Bear as her last name.

Her sign, however, does little to slow down those intent upon visiting. Such was the case when Bird, the Director of Corporate Security who is stationed in the Great Foyer, began squawking, thereby announcing that someone was about to rap on the front door.

Bird has a keen sense of hearing and listens for clues of approaching persons. The squeaking of the courtyard gate often indicates that company has arrived.

Knock, knock, knock came the insistent sound, loud enough that it broke Martha's concentration from proofing the joggling board article for GraciousJaneMarie, the newsletter.

"Oh, bother,” she told Airborne, her companion grasshopper. "I'll never get my work done, and Jane Marie needs this by noon.”

"Who is it? Who is it?” Airborne cried, excited to find out who had come calling. He had already finished his back-up article proofing from the vantage point of Martha's shoulder.

An expert at speed-reading, Airborne had successfully completed classes on that subject, which were held beneath the cherub bench in the manor's flower garden and sponsored by Insect U.

"Well, let's just find out, shall we?” Martha climbed down from the wooden church pew that substituted for two chairs at the dining table. She preferred to do her work there because the dining room was situated next to the kitchen, and the kitchen was her favorite room.

You see, bears can get quite hungry every now and then. Actually, more now than then if the truth is told.

Walking into the Great Foyer, Martha peered out the window and saw a small bear with a golden torso and brown legs. He was patiently waiting in the heat of the morning sun.

She cast the door open. "How lovely to see you, Wink E,” Martha told him. "Do come in and enjoy our electrically cooled air.”

Martha had known Wink E Bear ever since she could remember.

Wink E had been given to Jane Marie on her fourth birthday as a gift from her dear Aunt Catherine.

Jane Marie often tells the story of how happy she was to have her very own bear back then, of how his fur was so soft it would tickle her palms when she stroked it, of his winking eyes and of how she would spend long minutes tweezing the fuzz from Wink E's dark, full lashes.

My, my, how things do change, Martha determined. She could clearly see that Wink E was no longer a cub. Out on his own these days, his fur was not so full and fluffy as it once had been. His eyelashes were sparse in a few places, but that did little to detract from the fact that he was a principled gentlebear who owned and operated Teddy Cares Grocery. More importantly, he was a good friend.

"Thank you, Miss Martha,” Wink E replied as he stepped over the threshold. "Hello there, Airborne.”

Airborne nodded in greeting, then flew to the ceiling fan to take a ride on the slow whirling blades while Martha and Wink E visited.

"Would you like a glass of Mocha-Choco Cooler and some slices of Irish Tea Cake?”

"That sounds tasty. Thank you. But only one serving of cake, please. I'm watching my weight.”

Martha concluded that Wink E was a very fit looking bear and he had probably declined extra cake because he was so disciplined, which to her mind, was a better thing.

"Please take a seat if you would, and I'll return in a jiffy,” she said.

Martha pulled over her embroidered footstool for his use, since he was approximately one half her height, and went into the kitchen. After cutting but one slice of cake for Wink E, Martha reluctantly did the same for herself, wanting more but desiring not to appear to favor gluttony in any fashion. Martha sadly replaced the glass lid of the pedestal cake plate, securing the last of the delectable treat inside.

Positioning himself on two green pillows for comfort, posture and to raise himself to Martha's eye level, Wink E called out, "What of Jane Marie and her cats?”

As she arranged the plates on a lovely garden tray Jane Marie had recently made, Martha explained, "Jane Marie is next door talking plants with the Maggie, the nice lady who gives us pralines.”

Martha hesitated a moment, thinking that particular staple in her diet sounded most delicious. Hoping Jane Marie would not return home empty handed, Martha carried the laden tray into the parlor.

When Wink E saw her toting the heavy thing, he began to get down from his pillows. "Let me help.”

"Not necessary. Not necessary,” said Martha as she set down the tray.

"As for those cats you asked about, our Florida Felines,” she continued, "Last I saw of Mr. Buzzbee, he was carefully walking the garden path, trying to step only on the yellow bricks and none of the red ones. It's one of his favorite forms of exercise. The other kitty, Spew, was recently given a new cardboard rattle mouse. You know we don't abide discord of any kind in The Manor and that includes the chasing of live mice. Well, Mr. Spew has worn himself out playing with his toy. He's asleep in the office now, behind the printer stand. He thinks it's his secret hidie-hole, but Airborne spotted him back there last week. Of course, Mr. Spew needs his rest, so we are careful not to run the printer when he's resting lest the vibrations from the machine startle him awake.”

Between sips of his delicious beverage, Wink E stated, "You folks are very thoughtful and patient, too. I read in GraciousJaneMarie, the newsletter, about Mr. Buzzbee's antics - how he pawed up the onion patch just after Jane Marie had planted fresh seeds.”

Martha nodded, confirming the incident.

Wink E pulled something from behind his back. "In that regard, we recently got a shipment of seeds in at the store and I thought I'd bring a packet or two by as replacements.”

Martha took the seeds and saw that there were not only onion, but basil and oregano packets as well. "Jane Marie will be so excited! You can expect a charming thank you note in the post within the next day or two from her.”

"There is no need. Still, I'm certain you're right and one will be forthcoming.” Wink E seemed to hesitate then began fidgeting.

"Yes, Wink E? Isn't the cake sweet enough? Actually, I doubled the honey. It seems fine to me.”

Airborne had been only half-listening, but had heard enough to know that something was up. He left the fan blade, flying an irregular flight path toward Martha's shoulder because he was dizzy. He missed his target and landed on the arm of her chair.

"No, no. Martha. Everything is delicious, as usual,” Wink E answered.

"You seem agitated. Is there anything I can do?”

"Matter of fact, there is.” Wink E took a deep breath and jumped right in. "You can attend the Spring Sing with me next Sunday.”

Had Martha eyes, they surely would have popped! This invitation sounded like more than just two friends going to a show together. No, she told herself. That's all it is. Reassured, her nerves settled and she replied, "Certainly, Wink E What time?”

Wink E's face lit up. "Wonderful. As for the time, I thought we'd have a little dinner first. I've got it all arranged. Since the show begins at 8 p.m., I'll be at your door at 6:30 sharp. Now what kind of corsage would you like, or would you prefer a single stem?”

Martha had been right in the first place. It was a date! "Oh my stars and whickers*,” she whispered softly. What had she agreed to? Wink E was a lovely bear and quite handsome if the truth be told, but a date? She hadn't been on a date in sometime. "I … I … ” she replied, tongue-tied.

*Whickers - Jane Marie's family nickname for whiskers. Named after Mr. E. A. (Eat Anything) Whickers.

"Martha would like a wrist corsage, I'm sure.” Airborne supplied."Wrist corsage it is,” Wink E answered. :See you Sunday then. I've got to be getting back to the store. I hired a new rabbit to work in produce. I'm afraid that might have been a mistake. Thank you for the beverage and cake. See you soon.”

Wink E was off his pillows and gone before Martha could show him out, or more importantly, stop him so she could say something.

Airborne read her mind when he noticed her ears twitching from anxiety. "You need a night out,” he said reassuringly.

Martha had to agree. Although Jane Marie would never ask or expect her to, Martha had chosen to spend long hours working. "By jingo, you're right, as usual, Airborne. Wink E is a fine fellow and I do so love music.”

At that, she went to the pump organ. While Airborne jumped up and down on the peddles, pumping them to produce air for the organ bellows because her legs were too short to reach, Martha played a feverish rendition of Way Down Upon the Suwannee River from the well-worn song book. As she played, she desperately hoped her ears wouldn't twitch too much on her date. At least if they do, she decided in a positive way, my jewelry will sparkle all the more. It was then she remembered that Jane Marie had written an article called Dressing Up for the Holidays. The Spring Sing couldn't be classified as a holiday, but it certainly could be considered a special occasion. Surely she could find some useful hints there.

Airborne could tell Martha was still concerned. "Jane Marie will help you.”

"You're right in that, little hopper. She always does,” Martha agreed and crawled down from the organ chair.

Taking the dishes tray into the kitchen to wash, she climbed onto the high stool to reach the enamel faucet handles on the sink. While she washed the glasses, Martha wondered aloud, "Whatever in the world should I wear to the show? Whatever will fit if I do what I truly want and polish off that leftover cake to steady my frayed nerves?”

She glanced longingly at the last of the Irish Tea Cake as it beckon her from beneath its crystal dome.

Airborne knew his friend well and said, "Miss Martha, Miss Martha. The trials of the attractive are never few.”

TO BE CONTINUED ► Part Two Part Three

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