Chapter 11

“What do you mean she’s not here? We have a date!”

Let’s back our story up.

Addy’s uncle, Dr. Franklin Wilder was laid to rest at Bonaventure Cemetery with full military honors. He reached the age of 101, making him one of the oldest surviving WWII veterans from Savannah.

Franklin “Doc” Wilder graduated from Mercer Medical School in 1940. His plan was to settle back into Savannah. His life, he thought was pretty straight forward. He had purchased little bungalow on Maupas Avenue. It was near where he intended to start his practice on Waters Avenue and 41st Street. The office was just a short walk and he could come home for lunch. His bride to be was Rebecca Laughton. They were to be married the following summer. However, Uncle Sam had a different idea for him. His medical background was greatly needed with the developing war in Germany. A quick war time wedding, the love of his family, and hopes of ridding the world of gave injustices were his new reality.

The bride he left behind was Rebecca Laughton. He always referred to her as “Miss Becky.” He wasn’t sure why he did. It just seemed right. Rebecca was a beautiful 18-year-old girl with jet black hair and soft, dark brown eyes. She was raised on Jones Street along with her six siblings. In total there were four sisters and three brothers. The entire family was close.

The depression had been hard on them. Her father had been an English professor at Armstrong College, but lost his job to cut backs in the school’s budget. He made extra money by tutoring. Her mother had been raised in privilege, but understood life changes. She rose to meet the new demands on her family. She was a woman of incomparable faith and unparalleled work ethic.

The Loughton brothers took a very keen and serious view in helping to provide for the family. They worked odd jobs after school. The extra income helped sustain the family and provided a few amenities that their sisters lacked. However, the girls were keenly aware of the situation and did not asking for anything. The boys would give them money to buy fabric for a new dress or tickets for the movies. They also helped keep the Jones Street house in repair.

The Laughton’s cook had to be let go. The girls stepped in and helped their mother prepare meals. The menu was often simple such as Navy Bean Soup, Skillet Cabbage and Mrs. Wilder’s Light Bread. However, the family of nine never missed a meal. One of their saving graces was their friends the Wilders.

The Wilder’s home in the country continued to produce an abundance of vegetables, fruits and fresh eggs from their Welsummer Hens. The Laughton clan would head out to the farm early in the mornings to take advantage of the cool weather to pick much needed supplies. They would prepare the foods for the upcoming meals or canned them for later on.

The girls were very typical teenagers. They enjoyed going to the movies, time with their friends and scouring the discarded issues of Glamour or Vogue. Their mother was a talented seamstress and could replicate almost any dress the girls really admired.

One unique dynamic about the Loughton siblings was the brothers would object if the girls wanted to date a boy they did not deem appropriate. They knew all the boys and their reputations. The girls loved and respected their bothers advice. They knew their brothers only had their best interests at heart.

The second oldest son, Fred was in school at the University of Georgia. He was on an academic scholarship to study business. Life was very hard for him. The scholarship did not include room and board and there was no extra money. His siblings would send what they could from their odd jobs.

He was roommates with his friend from back home, Franklin “Doc” Wilder. Franklin was in medical school. The two would travel back and forth together to Savannah.

On one occasion, Doc stopped at the Laughton home. Rebecca and her sister Louise were sitting on the front porch sewing. The girls were going to the movies to see Charlie Chaplin’s new movie, The Little Dictator. They asked to boys to go with them.

After the movie, Doc joined Fred and the girls for a light supper of meatloaf sandwiches and pickled cucumber and tomato salad. At the end of the evening, as Doc was saying good bye to the girls, he said “let’s make it a date for next Saturday at the Tybee Pavilion”. The girls did not know which one he was speaking to!

The following Saturday arrived and Doc came to the Laughton’s door. Mrs. Laughton led him in and made him comfortable. Both of the girls dressed for the dance. However, Mrs. Laughton decided to help the girls out with the dilemma. After about 20 minutes of conversation, Doc asked where Rebecca was. Mrs. Laughton said she had gone to the dance! “What do you mean she’s not here! We have a date?” The Loughton girls down the staircase laughing. Rebecca took Doc’s arm and off they went. Louise and Fred joined them.

Doc and his “Miss Becky” were married for 52 years.