Stone Diaries, The - Carol Shields [83]
With love from your niece, Beverly P.S. Mom doesn’t know I’m writing in regards to this matter, so if you write back, send to Box 422, that way it doesn’t go to their place.
Bloomington, Indiana, May 29, 1955
Dearest Daze, I wish to hell I could pour some good liquid cheer into this envelope. I know how down-and-out rotten you must be feeling these days. Well, no, I don’t exactly know—how could I?—but I can imagine what a misery it is to find yourself alone after all the time you and Barker have been together. What has it been?—I make it twenty years. Lordy, it does go by, time that is, the filthy robber.
And Alice off to college next fall! And all this so soon after your dad dying.
Anyway I’m not going to go on and on about "remembering you in my prayers" (ha!) and "time’s healing balm" and all that razzmatazz—you’ll get plenty of that from dear old Beans—who grows more pious and platitudinous each day. When Ma died she sprayed me with enough perfumed clichés to clog up my sinuses for a month. This note is just to remind you, old pal, that you’ve got lots of years left. Personally, I’m finding that being fifty isn’t half as bad as it’s cracked up to be—the old visage may be a bit pouchy and cross-hatched, but "everything that matters" is still in good working order, and no damn getting the curse either. So don’t climb into your widow’s weeds and wither away just yet, kiddo! What do you say we treat ourselves to a week in Chicago this winter. We could see a few shows, stay at the Palmer House, and eat like pigs. January would suit me—the gallery here is planning to close the last week of the month, and we’re "encouraged" to clear off. Lordy, remember the terrific time we had in New York three years ago, or was it four?—that hilarious waiter and his bouncing baby lobster!—I wonder, did you ever report all that to Barker, item for item? Yes or no?
Never mind replying—I can guess.
So let’s hit Chi-town and put a little life into our life, what say?
Surely there’s someone who could keep an eye on Warren and Joanie for a few days. Give it some thought.
Love, Fraidy Ottawa, May 29, 1955
Dear Mrs. Flett, We are delighted you will be able to attend our little tribute to your late husband. I should add that we would be very pleased to have your children in attendance as well.
And I thank you very much for your suggestion about the coverage of the Tulip Festival. We would indeed be honored to have a few words from you; about five hundred words would be ideal. I wish I had had the wit to suggest it myself since rumor has it you are a famous gardener in your own right.
With sincere good wishes, Jay W. Dudley, Editor Bloomington, Indiana, June 1, 1955
My dear old friend, Our hearts ache continually for you these days. Your burden has been unutterably heavy, losing your father in April, bless his soul, and now your dearly beloved mate. I feel sure that the many happy memories of your life together will sustain you in the dark days ahead, as will the presence of your loved ones and the prayers of your dear friends. Time does heal, that is what you must keep in mind, though of course we never really forget those who have played such a large part in our lives. Dick joins me in these few rushed words of sympathy. (After much pressure, he has accepted the transfer to the head office in Cleveland, and now we must face the sadness of putting our dear old house up for sale—unfortunately the market is not booming. It seems limestone has become a lemon.)
Lovingly, "Beans"
Ottawa, June 5, 1955
Dear Mrs. Flett, Just a note to express my thanks for the gracious remarks you contributed to our little ceremony yesterday. I believe I can say that we were all touched by your comments, particularly those concerning your late husband’s regard for the Recorder and all that it stands for in our community.
And speaking personally, it was a very great pleasure to meet you and your three charming children, and please don’t think for a minute I was offended by what your daughter, Alice, said about