Rose babysits John Curtis and Virginia in the front yard while she knits. She feels a pain in her chest and takes some baking soda for what she believes is heartburn. When she comes back outside she discovers that John Curtis has run off. Stanley stops by Jim-Bob’s garage and inquires about a new set of tires as he has a desire to hit the open road again. On his way to the Walton’s house he finds John Curtis on the side of the road and he returns him to a frightened Rose.
After dinner Stanley asks Rose to marry him with the family present. The all jump up for joy and congratulate the couple.
The Baldwin ladies offer their home to Rose and Stanley for their wedding reception. Rose shows hesitancy towards committing to the offer. On the way back home Stanley confronts Rose about her feelings. She says that she likes her life the way it is and doesn’t want to get married. At breakfast Rose tells the family that the wedding is off, she
Stanley gives Rose the trophy they won at the Elk Spring Dance. He announces that he has quit his job and is moving away so that Rose is out of sight and mind.
Rose has cleared out the living room for a second Spring cleaning. Mary Ellen and Erin are concerned about her state of mind and the truth behind her “heart burn”. Reverend Tom Marshall stops buy for tea with Rose and tries to relieve her of the burden that is weighing on her mind. She has another attack. Mary Ellen brings her the nitroglycerine tablets she left on the kitchen table. The Reverend and Mary Ellen confront her with the truth and tell her that Stanley deserves the same.
Rose goes to see Stanley at the boarding house. She admits that her health issues are the reason for turning down his proposal. She doesn’t want to hold him back while she sits on the sidelines.
Stanley stops in at Ike’s on his way to Richmond to see his sister Alvira. He learns that Ike has angina, the same condition as Rose and that he even had a heart attack but is able to live a full life with help from his loved ones. Ike says that Rose is spending her morning constitutional at Drucilla’s Pond. Stanley goes to see her. He pretends to have a sore ankle and that he may need to sit on the sidelines with her as well. She isn’t buying it but Stanley is a good salesman. He says that when they are apart they are just spectators. If he could only have just one day with her he would take it. He asks her one more time to marry him. She agrees and they are married in front of family and friends at the Baptist Church by the Reverend Tom Marshall.
|