September 1983
By Lisa Dordal
This should arrive in time; I hope the Post Office doesn't disappoint.
I tried to make the cookies as good as the ones we ate
in Atlantic City, but they aren't.
We had a lovely weekend at the Lake over Labor Day—
grilling steaks, bobbing around on inner tubes.
Leah's sister was in town. Have you ever met her? She's pretty
but in a colder, more sophisticated way. I like Leah's prettiness better.
Just now, WFMT played "Blue Skies" by Irving Berlin—
his songs were what I grew up with. Happy songs
in Depression America. Yes, I attended Alfred's funeral.
He was twenty-five. There was a bouquet from his fiancée.
I appreciate the letter you sent. You were ten when I started drinking,
maybe nine. I've put you through a lot of pain.
The dried blossoms are from the mock orange tree in our yard.
I carry your letter in my purse.
Source: https://blacklawrencepress.com/books/next-time-you-come-home/
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