The Widow's Friend (11 page)

Thanks, Levi

And I sent a link to another song: “I’d Like to get to Know
You” by Spanky and our Gang.

***

From Callii Wilson

Nov 30th

Yes Levi, you are the subject of my Monday evening again
this week. It seems to be our designated weekly get together. How’s it going,
and how was your Thanksgiving? I had forty-one people here, at least that’s how
many I counted, but I think I might have missed a few that may have been
wandering around the house a bit. We had a great time, I think, and the food
was good. I don’t like turkey but we had lots of other food so it didn’t really
matter. Did you end up going shopping? I didn’t do much. I went to two places
about 1:00 in the afternoon—there was not much of a crowd by then. We went to
the light parade on Friday and then came here afterwards for hot cocoa and
donuts. We also did karaoke and danced around with the grandkids. We must sound
really funny and look even funnier, but we don’t care. It’s all about the
memories. We do it every year.

I have been decking the halls for the last three days and I’m
about done now, at least with the main level. I haven’t started on the basement
yet. I still have some cleaning to do down there after all of the weekend
festivities, and then I will decorate.

I think I’m going to take the decorations off the tree and
try again. I keep studying it, and it just doesn’t seem very balanced, so I
think I will start all over again. You would think I didn’t have anything
better to do.

As for my sister, she is doing much better, so I am off the
hook for now. Her friend should be there today. I hope everything goes well for
them. After this week, provided she has no setbacks, she should be able to lift
a few things and then she’ll be a little more independent. She’ll be much
happier then.

I am going to try to send you a link to the train that I was
talking about. You know, the one Santa might bring me. Wish me luck because I
really don’t know what I’m doing.

I am tending grandchildren tomorrow, and I plan on being
worn to a frazzle by the time I get done. Their mom is going to parenting
classes. They are classes for parents of adopted kids. She seems to think that
they help.

And now, on to the next subject, which would be running away
for a day. You make everything sound so simple. Now I have nothing to lose, but
I worry about you. What would happen if your wife found out? The thing is, no
one would believe that everything was innocent. For example: You came to the
conclusion that my son was sleeping with his girlfriend. I didn’t tell you that
he was, and in fact I don’t think that he is, but it is human nature to think
the worst when it comes to men and women.

But anyway, I am good with going on the road trip because I
am curious and I need a break, and what better person than you to go on a break
with. But you think it through and make sure you can live with the
consequences, if it comes to that. Sorry, but it’s the worrier in me. And as
for the timing, the only week that won’t work for me is next week, other than
that I think I am good. Let me know what you decide.

I look forward to hearing from you again. I love getting
your emails.

Now, I am going to attempt to send you that link. I don’t
know what I am doing so it may not happen.

***

It is now the next day—the morning after the night before. I
goofed up my whole computer trying to get that link to you. I have it
straightened out now, but I don’t want to try it again out of pure fear. Thank
heavens for the automatic save on my e-mails; otherwise it may have been
another day or two before I had time to rewrite this whole thing.

Anyway, have a good day, Callii

***

From Levi Stone (Thirty minutes later)

Calliijo, from head to toe, a quick reply from Joe the
Schmoe.

I’m having a guilty pleasure right now. I love eggnog, it’s
stupid, I know. It’s really rich, so I mix it at a ratio of about 25% eggnog
and 75% milk. It’s just about right that way. I pretty much love the taste of
vanilla wherever I can find it. I love tapioca pudding and I love vanilla ice
cream. Crème Brulee is to die for. I defend myself by telling people that
vanilla ice cream is not plain. Vanilla is a real flavor, and it’s the best
flavor. :^) Also, my favorite color is beige and I have a vanilla personality.

Let me tell you an easy way to send links or pages, or
whatever. Just copy and paste the URL (website address) into the body of a new
e-mail, then you can just send it off to anyone you like. Click the URL line
until it turns blue, usually the first click, then right click it and copy,
then paste it into your e-mail with a right click again. I assume you have a PC
and not a Mac. I hope that helps. In this case you could just tell me the name
of the train and I’ll Google it.

Now, please answer a few questions that I asked you and then
I’ll respond in full. I’m sorry to be so pushy.

What is your favorite Christmas movie, and what are your
favorite Christmas artists and/or songs? Also, what do you mean that your name
has given you a lot of grief?

Are you active in your church? I have my own story to tell
right now. I think we all wander through the hills and vales of spiritual highs
and lows throughout our lives. All of our lives are filled with different
chapters of all kinds, not only in our church activity but in all other aspects
as well. Every life has a story to tell, and all of them are interesting.

And finally, I’m sorry for prejudging your son. I don’t know
him at all. I scarcely know you that well.

So let me know what you’re thinking.

Your friend always, Levi

***

From Callii Wilson (Twenty minutes later)

Good evening Joe, you are quite the rhymer. Thanks for the
computer advice. I discovered today, when trying to send an attachment to a
doll customer, that my computer has a problem. I called my son, the computer
guru, and he tried to help me over the phone, but it looks like it is more
serious than a quick fix. He is going to come over sometime this evening to get
it fixed and then I will try again.

I realized last night, after writing my email to you, that I
didn’t answer any of your questions. I’m sorry about that. I have a very short
attention span. Anyway, here are the answers to your questions:

1. I have several favorite Christmas movies. For the last
couple of years it has been “The Holiday”. It is kind of a chick flick. It’s
about two women that change houses at Christmas time. One lives in L.A and the
other in London. It’s a fun and quite romantic kind of a thing. One of my
all-time favorites is “Christmas Story”. It reminds me of my big brother. He
always got a new bb gun every Christmas. We have old films of him picking up bb’s
from the floor. He spilled them every Christmas, like he knew it was supposed
to be a tradition or something. You said that one was one of your favorites
too—maybe someday we can watch it together. As far as Christmas songs or
artists are concerned, I really like Karen Carpenters songs, but I like almost
all Christmas songs, really. I am one of those silly people that listen to
Christmas music the minute they start playing it on the radio.

2. My Name—Callii. It has been mostly the spelling that has
made me crazy. People always spell it wrong and they always comment on it. I
always say, “Don’t you think everyone should have two eyes?” And then there is
Callpurnia. Who knows where that name comes from? No one ever gets it right,
why would they, they’ve never heard of it. Even my bank has it spelled wrong on
my Credit Card. I have learned to ignore it.

3. Am I active in my Church? The short answer is yes, but I
am not someone that wears her religion on her sleeve. I am your back row kind
of a person. I will explain that in more detail someday.

I am glad you like Vanilla. It is especially good as a cake.
I love white cake, even more than chocolate cake. My favorite chocolate is
white chocolate. Wow, eggnog though? You know it is made with raw eggs don’t
you? What other guilty pleasures do you have?

Okay, now that I have answered all of your questions, I am
expecting great things back from you.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon, Callpurnia Jo
Von Rothstein Wilson. Try living with that for all these many years.

***

From Levi Stone (Ten minutes later)

You are too funny. Thanks for the reply. Yes, I think
everyone should have two eyes. I’m still laughing. I’ll write you in a day or
two.

P.S. I’m sitting here editing Hollow Chill for the third and
final time, and I’m still exulting in the Laker’s loss to Memphis tonight. My
favorite team is whoever is playing the Lakers.

Sleep well my friend. I’m still smiling, Levi

***

From Levi Stone

Dec 4th

Hi grandma Callii, you sweet thing, you. I am just starting
to write a lengthy letter to you. I’ll probably send it off tomorrow. I hope
you’re having a great weekend. I’m sure that you are because you’re such a
social little woman. Sleep well, Levi

P.S. Get up in time for church tomorrow and enjoy yourself
on the back row with the rest of the bleacher bums.

***

From Levi Stone

Dec 5th

Hey Calliijo, do you ever slow down—really? How’s the
business going right now? Good I hope? You’ve heard of babies raising babies?
With you it’s a doll making dolls.

I hope you don’t get tired of the music links I’ve been
sending you: “Little Drummer Boy” has always been a favorite. I still remember
the first time I heard it. It was in church when I was just a boy. A neighbor
lady sang it and I thought,
Wow
! And “Music
Box Dancer” was a radio favorite when my kids were just in preschool. I just
like to share, that’s all.

I’m going through your last two e-mails and will try to
answer all of your questions. So, as usual, this will probably be a long one.

I got online a couple of days ago and bought a “Carpenter’s
Christmas” CD – it’s on the way. I’ve always liked the Carpenter’s but I have
never really tied them together with Christmas, but I do now. And now you have
me brainwashed because every time I hear
any
Christmas song I think of you. That’s right—every time.

I believe I’m pretty much a servant to Lexi. She just asked
me to make popcorn – done! Then she held up the bowl and said, “Hey, this said
extra butter!”—like I was supposed to see that it was lacking. So I hurried in
and melted down some butter and added extra salt, and it seemed to make her
happy. And I can foresee the future, next she’ll ask me for water with a lot of
ice, but I love the little tyke and she usually gets what she wants. I just
offered to click off the NBA game and let her watch Snow White, so of course
that’s what we’re doing now. So, if I think like a fourth grader sometimes,
there’s a legitimate reason for that. Bingo—she just asked for a drink of
water.

You mentioned Thanksgiving. That seems like a long time ago,
now. Christmas is coming full steam ahead. We’re having an early party with our
kids this year. It will be this coming Wednesday. We usually have it the night
before Christmas Eve, kind of an extra Christmas Eve, so our kids can have the
real Christmas Eve with their little families. Bailey and her kids have always
found themselves waking up at my house on Christmas morning. This year will be
the first Christmas that her kids will wake up in their own house, and that’s a
good thing for their little family. They’ll drive up here later in the day.

Thanksgiving was fun, but it created a family problem,
basically because Mary’s mother, Pam, insisted on having it at her house, and
she’s almost eighty years old. Thanksgiving Day was great, but she screwed up a
disc in her lower back by overdoing it. Then Mary’s sister, Cindy, who lives
next door to her mother, got into it with Pam and Bill, basically telling Pam
that it was her own fault, and then Bill blasted her, which is unusual because
he’s mild mannered and just a great guy. Cindy called tonight and told Mary
that she’s “through with them”. Yeah, right—she lives right next door. Then she
ends up hanging up on Mary because she wants her to be on her side. Sheesh! So
there’s a little dirty laundry for you. Heh…. I just sit back and enjoy the
circus.

As for my family, my brothers and sisters, there are six of
us, one girl and five boys, and we’re all as different as night and day, but we
generally get along. I’ll fill you in on all of that some other time.

Mary should be so lucky as to have three days to deck the
halls like you do. That is her big frustration—that she has to work. Many women
that don’t work are clueless about the pressures of those who do, but I know
you fully understand.

I imagine you as someone that loves to decorate, just like
you love to keep the yards trimmed. I can only imagine how your tree must look.
Mary has done many beautiful trees over the years, but there are trees and
there are trees. I have a fancy neighbor lady who does two large trees every
year, and they are both magnificent. I gush to her about both her trees and her
house, and she eats it up. You should have seen her place at Halloween this
year. It was great. I envision you as that same way. Everything is just right,
and you’re always ready for the next party.

I’m happy for your sister, but how is the divorce thing
going with your son? And which town does your daughter-in-law live in, the one
that you tend for? I assume that’s the same one that’s getting divorced.

***