Sample6
She had been writing to Howard this whole time but left out the part about the baby. She left that part about everyone she wrote to, despite the fact that she was writing more letters than ever. On top of writing to Peg, Howard, and Anne, she wrote to other friends in Jersey. Namely Beatrice, Janet, and Taylor, all of whom she met that night at Anne’s. Though she found those three particularly boring, she enjoyed weaving fanciful stories for them, rarely relying on reality to damper the tone. In one particular story, she was in New York with Samuels rich family for a winter of skiing.
Dear Girls,
I miss you all, something awful. But I must admit my captors are nothing if not hospitable. Since my arrival months ago, they have not let me want for a thing. Sam himself is a perfect gentleman waiting on me hand and foot. When he is not around his sister entertains me by tickling the ivories of her darling grand piano. It sits in the center of the grand living room and I perch in the window writing you these beautiful letters. Hasn’t my handwriting improved? Sam’s father hired a private tutor by the name Rodrick who is something sweet to look at and does not make any of us work too hard. You know I am not one for the outdoors, but when Sam can convince me with his handsome pleading eyes, I allow him to try and introduce me to the pleasures of skiing. I have fallen but once and am quite a natural, I just don’t care so much for the chill. Perhaps next winter we will all delight ourselves in a trip like this so that you may see how you find skiing. I of course will find another window to perch in and watch the snow.
Well wishes for now,
Nancy Sue.
She smiled brilliantly at the work of art. She didn’t see this as a lie but a favor. She had some mind about how dull your early twenties could be, having heard from Peg of the labors of trying to entertain oneself while hunting for a husband. She was merely offering some entertainment for her pets. Her letters to Howards took on a similar tone of merriment but lacked a prominent male character. That would just have been in poor taste.
Dear Howie,
While all the days blend together up here in the mountains, I cannot complain for they pass pleasantly. My aunt is preparing me in my lessons to venture abroad someday. With my independence I once mentioned to you, I believe I could do so without too much financial burden. My French has much improved and I think Paris should be my first stop. Maybe then the Alps since my cousin Matthew has made it his mission to teach me to ski. It is honestly not all that hard but I am a good sport and it is a good lesson in patience to entertain him. I think of you often and hope to meet you again soon, perhaps after my stint upstate.
Be Well,
Nancy Sue
Nancy did have a widowed Aunt and a cousin Matthew who lived in New York, and Matthew did enjoy skiing. So it was not a complete lie. She had just not seen them since her father was alive and they did not know of her current state. But telling stories to Howard was another favor to keep his letters from going unanswered. And his response to that particular letter rather changed things for her.
