"SO, WHAT'S NEXT?"

Get this…in deep winter he’s been known to wear a sweatshirt, jeans, and flip-flops outside.   Summer clothes in a snowstorm—a pretense of immortality.  He wants to be a young God as they all do and defy the seasons.--Charles BaxterTHERE’S SOMETHING I WANT YOU TO DOChapter:  LOYALTY
It’s funny how letters and postcards can become time lapses of our lives.   The secret is keeping them for safekeeping and going back to read them from time to time…   I love the idea of a shady porch, reading old cards, writing new cards, looking at old photographs and drinking lemonade or even a pitcher of sangria.  Yum-Yum.
I found this card that Alan kept.  I wrote it to him in December 1989 (less than one month after we’d met).  It’s a postcard photo of “ME” that I created.  I wrote:12-12-1989Dear Alan,I saw this photo of me and thought…Hmmm…I wonder if this is Alan’s type.   You tell me.  It’s not the clearest picture in the world and it is obvious that he’s “sucking it in”.  Whatever…
“So what’s next”?   You like when I use that line…so I thought I’d re-emphasize the question again.   SO, WHAT’S NEXT?
My flight on 12/22 leaves LAX at 7:35PM and I return Monday night 12/25 at 8:27PM.   Please don’t feel obligated to take/pick-me-up.  I can manage fine with the shuttles somehow.  If it’s any problem for you I will understand.  The fact that you thought to offer is appreciated.
I love these wise owls on my address label.  It could be “US”, you know.   I find you to be a very wise man.  I learn a lot from you.  I am glad I know you.  I hope you don’t find these cards annoying.   Don’t worry.  I am running low on stamps.  Ha-ha.  Miss Ya! “SUPERMAN” August 9, 1990A Letter from LOTTIE POWELL
Hi Michael!I bet you thought I had fallen off the face of the earth…not so!I was extremely pleased (and envious) to receive your postcard from PARIS.  It sounded like a very exciting and interesting trip.  Please write and tell me all about it (all the dirt too!).So much has happened since I called you last.  You knew that I am expecting a baby (6 ½ months already).  It is due in November; however, there have been a good deal of complications, so my doctor feels we will deliver early…possibly the end of September or first part of October.  I’m excited.  How’s UNCLE MICHAEL sound?For more big news…Michael and I got married on May 13, 1990 in Alaska (Fairbanks).   This is where Michael works for the BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT as a firefighter.  I spent a week with him there, flew home on May 20th and have not seen Michael since then.  It is not like it sounds…My phone bills prove we stay in touch but his job sends him all over the state and occasionally all over the USA (wherever there are fires).   I feel like a “fire widow”.   You will like Michael.  He is a very special man. So what is new with you?   …anyone special with you?  You must write and fill me in on how your life is going in L.A.   Are you a STAR yet?I do hope you had a wonderful trip and that all is well with you.  I will write more later…Pregnant people need lots of rest.Love, LottieP.S.  BOO (my dog) says WOOF!  WOOF!  (Dog talk for Bye Bye).  L
August 12, 1990A self-made letter by MICHAEL G MILLER.   His note reminded me about how he bought my Dad’s white FORD PINTO.   After he’d bought it the car was somehow stolen…and after a police chase the car blew up.  What a disaster!   I’m glad he wasn’t in the car when it exploded into flames.  No one was hurt…actually.   That’s amazing.

8/12/90Michael Armijo,I’m writing this after leaving a phone message on your answering machine.I can’t believe that you resigned from PAC BELL but I think it’s great.   I know things are going your way, Director Michael Armijo.Yes, life goes on even after the PINTO…but hopefully lessons have been learned.Thanks for the postcard from FRANCE.  I still have that one.Take care and Enjoy LIFE, Michael M.
August 12, 1990A Postcard I wrote to mom
8-12-90Hi Mom,Here’s a postcard I bought in Venice Beach.  I was going to send it to my VENICE MAGAZINE/BRENTWOOD BLA BLA Magazine customers but I never really had any clients to speak of…so I’m sending you one.Also, here is my losing LOTTO ticket (I know you would rather have the winning $43 million ticket-Ha-ha).   And here is a picture of a little café I ate at in SPAIN.And here is the news clipping of the play I was talking about called LOVE LETTERS.   Alan and I will go on 9/2/1990 to see it starring Ben Gazarra and Gena Rowlands.I’m talking to you right now on the telephone.  I will probably start to paint my new painting today.Have a great day.  I can’t wait to see you.Love, Michael
August 14, 1990My days are numbered with that Advertising Sales job with Beverly Hills/Brentwood Bla Bla Magazine.   There’s a Monday morning meeting and then the four of us reps are on our own for the rest of the week.  I haven’t made one sale and there’s no structure to the job.  I haven’t made one penny.  It’s a waste of time.  I may move forward for something else.   So, what’s next?
A Postcard from Alan Freiman: 8/14/90Michael—This is what we should look like by December 31st—It’s 7/4…your 1st day at Beverly Hills/Brentwood Bla Bla Magazine and I MISS YOU.I didn’t speak to you all day and I need an MJA FIX.I just spoke to you and you LOVE your job.   Keep carrying those magazines…See You at LOVE LETTERS…ALAN
Everyone knows what it is like to see a friend after a long absence.   There is a moment of non-recognition, like that experienced when you catch sight of yourself in a triple mirror at an unaccustomed angle.  Then it is gone and you are once again looking at a familiar face.--NO HURRTY TO GET HOME
Short Stories by EMILY HAHN