Mr. Sophisticate

“My goal is really very simple:  When a man looks at a woman wearing one of my dresses, I would like him basically to be saying to himself, ‘I HAVE TO FUCK HER’.  I think every woman deserves to be desired.  Is that really asking too much?”--John Galliano, Fashion Designer
I mailed a postcard to Paloma from Santa Barbara on June 8th.  I had to send it to her because it was a masterpiece card by artist Jean Dufy, Chateau Among the Trees from 1935 and the imprint of the card had these words:  THIS SUMMER, LET US TAKE YOU TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.   I wrote:Hi Paloma,
...escaped for a Saturday to San Simeon, CA, the Hearst Castle and the Central California Coastal area.  It's really pretty here.  Your Joyeaux Anniversaire Bicycle Card you sent me was FANTASTIC!Also, I enjoyed your SETE postcard with your letter!  It brought back memories.  You will always have special hold on me and speical place in my heart.Love You,Michael


I received a cool BLACK JAGUAR card from Lottie today.   She wrote:
6-10-91MondayMichael,A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY…the 26th of May just got away so quickly!
Michael was sent out on a fire 2 ½ weeks ago.   He was to be home today but called yesterday to let me know they are sending his crew to another fire.   I truly am a “FIRE WIDOW”.
Reida is getting to be a handful at 17 ½ pounds, four teeth with two on the way.   She rolls everywhere…crawling cannot be too far behind.  She is absolutely precious!
You spoke of “battle of the bulge” in your last letter.   I gained 25 pounds while pregnant and have lost all except four to five pounds.   I have not been exercising so the extra weight leaves me with a “tummy”.  I need to work on that.
Alaska has some beautiful areas.   It’s too bad Fairbanks isn’t one of them.   Denali National Park is 3 hours South West of here and it is beautiful there:  Mount McKinley, caribou, long-horned sheep, grizzly bears and moose.   Speaking of moose---our moose is back—in the backyard yesterday.   There is was.  I’m not sure if it is male or female and I have no intention of getting close enough to see it.   They can be quite mean. 
Reida is becoming fussy…nap time.  I am closing for now.  Keep me posted on L.A. and all the dirt on your love life (He-He!).  Take Care!Love, Lottie
Paloma acknowledged my last two letters… Dear Michael, Thank you for your last two letters (nice cards).  My favorite cards are the naked woman and man (the woman with the black underwear)…and the TARZAN one.  I also love the luggage on the card with the lady and man coming down the stairs.  You may not remember…here is another bicycle card for you.  I don’t think I already sent it…if I did then maybe I’ just losing my head!   I’m really sorry I’m not writing more often.  I thought I would during my holidays but it’s been even worse than when I work because we’ve been moving a lot and also because Jonathon is going to be 2 ½ years old soon.  He already drives our car and for Christmas he’s going to have his own (an electric car, of course). 
Did you have friends in Los Angeles before you moved here?    What is it like where you live?  I have been to L.A. twice.   The first time I just went to DISNEYLAND for three days with Lise, Alison and family.   The second time was in January with Carmela.  We did our shopping on rodeo Drive (just kidding).  I remember it was very French with a lot of boutiques…
And a couple of more postcards arrived from Dorothy Rua:
Michael,How is this for the models of Merced?  I thought it would excite you.  You’ll just have to keep yourself under control until she’s finished with the modeling show she and her friends are busy preparing for!   Don’t you just love the lingerie?
I saw WHEN HARRY MET SALLY and it was more predictable than I thought it would be.  Have you seen BLACK RAIN?   It looks like a good action movie.I hope all is well with you.   Call me sometime.   Dorothy
P.S.  When you get to Beverly Hills and begin “dating” those mature, rich ladies, ask if they have any 80+ year old brothers.  If I don’t win big with the lottery/lotto I’m going to have to come up with another plan—and “sugar daddies” may be the answer!
I thought you’d enjoy these enclosures.  Oh…did you like the movie AFFAIRS OF THE HEART?   The title alone makes it sound worthwhile.   Did you learn everything you need to know for CHARLES SCHWAB?  Maybe you will get transferred to Walnut Creek someday.  Watch out CROGAN’s!   And I’d have to find time to meet you for a drink after work!

So…have you decided to move to Alan’s place?  It sounds like a great house and location (?).   Does he rent rooms to tried wives/mothers who seek an occasional break from the routine?  Ha…Wouldn’t that be wonderful!  I assure you he’d make a fortune.
What will you do with you place?
Maybe sometime you can send me a picture of you or you and Alan posing in front of the mansion with cold drinks in hand and smiles on your faces.   LIFE can be wonderful…can’t it?I am really glad to know all IS well with you.  I did miss hearing from you though I understand the lapse.   I felt similar earlier in the year and I’m still trying to pull out of that state on certain days/weeks!   I did appreciate your MR. SOPHISTICATE card in your letter.Love, Dorothy
This recent collection of correspondence simple makes me want to get in-shape, look good and keep moving-on for the better.
…and his diet: no alcohol, no sugar, no fried foods.  His exercise regimen:  running several days a week, lifting weights in the garage.--THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN, a novel by Garth Stein