Is he your lover?
She’s always been like strong perfume. Better In small doses. And at a distance. --V.E. Schwab, The invisible Life of Addie LaRue My niece, Ashley, writes with excitement over her forthcoming visit to L.A.
June 1995
Dear Uncle Mike,
Thank You for the GARFIELD envelopes and paper. But, how did you know I liked GARFIELD?
The Bridges of Madison County was good. I liked it but it was too kissy! I really want to see CASPER. That sounds really good. Same with POCAHONTAS. I bet Holly will want to see POWER RANGERS, The Movie.
Next week I am coming over! Next week at school is going to be busy. Monday we are going to have a beach party. We can get wet up to our waist and we are going to have a sand castle contest.
Love,
Ashley M Armijo
And a cute BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON postcard surprise from Barbara Reynolds in Berkeley:
Hello Hello!
I guess you are happy to not be still working for Pac Bell (doom and gloom). That is heard within our walls. Is this an appropriate card for these words? Just had to fill in the bland I left on the last card...
The new rep I believe you know is Doug Widger-Qualls. He was born 5 years to the day after 'moi'. La de dah...the most fun person here to work with. Hope you are very well. Saw my family this weekend and got to hold baby Lindsay...visiting here from Stanton.
Later, Barbara
Dorothy Rua provides some of her latest happenings:
6-7-95
Dear Michael,
How in the world do I top the last card you sent? The one from Miami. When I first saw it I said, “Oh My God!” out loud. I know you didn’t get it the day we were at PAPYRUS together in Berkeley. There is no way I would have missed those CALLA LILLIES! I mean, what a card. It has to go down as one of your best, along with so many others. This may seem like a silly question but how do her “cupcakes” stay straight up like that when she’s on her back with her arms extended to the sides?
Interesting how I look at the two recent cards you’ve given me because they made you think of me. First, we have the classy, reserved lady in the Black and White you gave me while in Berkeley. Then, we have the tan goddess, enjoying the freedom she’s allowed herself on the beach (also classy, and sensual, too). Two sides of an independent soul...if these come close to your thoughts, I like them. If not, share yours with me.
My son, Jean-Paul wont’ be 16 years old until 2-22-96; however, he’s been looking for a good used car. He has to use his own money, so he’s being pretty careful. After some research, he finally made an offer on a 1976 Toyota Celica. Turns out he bought the car from a friend of mine and fortunately, I know he’s always taken good care of it. Now Jean-Paul needs to get his driving permit, then his license. Pretty happy guy! Is Alan going to buy your CELICA for Lauren?
This is not the end of the car stories. My VOLVO finally screamed “Let me go”. So, I was looking at a 93/94 VOLVO but finally decided I didn’t want to be working for a car payment. And decided I’d get a different type of car until I could afford the VOLVO I wanted. Well, I didn’t want an American or Japanese car, so my search was limited. Then that Norman Rockwell station wagon painting kept creeping into my thoughts. Why, I don’t know. But I think it played a part in my final decision. I bought a 1j985 PORCHE 944! Peter was flabbergasted. Conservative, practical, “I always think things through”. Dorothy Rua did not bring home a “family car”. Soon after I made the purchase, I started second guessing my decision but I’ve finally gotten comfortable with my decision and I love what I’ve done for myself. It’s not just the car—the choice I made makes me realize I’m allowing myself to grow beyond those “safe” boundaries. Does this make sense to you? Peter asked, “What is this all about?” And my answer was, “It’s my turn.” Anyway, the practical side of me knows it’s a good value; excellent condition and only 70,000 original miles on a German car. When are you coming up for a ride?
Nicole will be turning 18 years old. Instead of a party she wants to spend the day in Monterey/Carmel. Not everyone can do it, so we're going down for a day or two, including Judd, of course. Should be fun...and it’s beyond Salinas! Buth then, so is Pismo Beach.
Update: Jan just left me a voice message. It looks like we are on for Pismo Beach, so if you’re up that way or in Santa Barbara call me at 805-773-2023. Wouldn’t that be fun?
Will try not to let so much time pass between cards to you. I love hearing from you and always enjoy your cards and imagination (or are they stories from your life?). Only you really know.
Warm thoughts and love, Dorothy
Paloma wrote me a few brief lines on a postcard. There was a question she asked that blew me away. And of course, the postcard had to depict a powerful woman, holding a serpent. I suppose I will have to figure out how to answer. I will:
...there are some huge traffic jams in Paris. It seems like Alan is really your best-friend. He is the only one you always tell me about. Is he your lover? You, of course, don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.
Saturday was Jonathan’s seventh Birthday. He had a party on Sunday. That was fun.
It also seems like you love New York, don’t you? You’ve been there so many times. What is it that you like so much?
Where in Hawaii do you usually go? And which hotel do you stay? We’d like to go once but you know I’m not planning a trip to the States anymore. I’m too scared.
I know who Pierce Brosnan is...he lost his wife not too long ago, right? …
On June 8, 1995 I wrote back to Paloma:
Dear Paloma, Thanks for your Birthday card and recent letter. It’s so sweet that you remember! Well, I had a great surprise Birthday party! Alan organized it. My mom, my brothers, and their wives and all five of my nieces and nephew were here along with a number of select friends. Alan should have called you to see if you could make it. I would've been in shock if you were here when it happened. My grandmother was even here! Shhhh...I’m 26, not 36!
I am so glad you sent the photography aerial view of Spielberg’s house. I doubt if he’d even allow it to be printed in an American magazine. In any case, when I drive by, I can never see anything...just landscaped flowers, bushes and two gates. I did see his wife pulling out one day while I was jogging by. It’s too bad we may be moving back to Marina Del Rey on or around October 1, 1995. This is a nice area but it will be nice to be by the beach again. Oh...guess who else lives in this area! I just found out because I saw her in her black jaguar (Goldie Hawn). Her husband, Kurt Russell, has a cream-colored jaguar. As you may recall I do remember that you had a HOT crush on Kurt (from Escape from New York), right? Well, if you want to write him, I have his private home address for you. Maybe he will send you a sexy-posed photo or would you rather have one of me? Let me know and I’ll see what I can dig up. Ha-ha
I saw several movies recently that were really good. Go see CASPER and go see BRAVEHEART which stars Mel Gibson (he also directed). It’s excellent. I also saw BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Meryl Streep was great. Clint Eastwood was good but he seemed too old for the part. And I am listening to the soundtrack to the music of a movie called FRENCH KISS, starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. It is so very good. I loved it. It takes you to Paris and the South of France (memories)...and I will make you a tape of the music when I get a chance because it’s too good. Go see FRENCH KISS. I want your opinion.
I liked your typewritten letter, too. You’re right about UNMI...probably doesn’t work at Chez Panisse anymore. I’m so glad we keep in touch the way we do.
I also miss when we used to go out together because we would have such fun—just the two of us. Don’t worry, Dorothy Rua hardly ever writes to me. You’re the only one that I keep such closed tabs with. Does that make you feel better? Ha-ha...you know how to make me feel good though!
Oh yeah, I did see LEGENDS OF THE FALL. It was pretty good. I liked INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE better. I guess it’s because I like to bite necks.
When we were in Miami, we were walking in front of the Gianni Versace house. Have you ever heard of him? He’s a very famous fashion designer. I know you are rolling your eyes and head right now because I know FULL WELL that you know of Versace. Ha-ha.
You must see the movie SIRENS starring Elle McPherson. It’s great. More later...
Love You Lots,
Michael
Happy Belated Birthday to Jonathan!
P.S. I’ll type you up a letter that’s longer than this next time.
P.S. #2 A new film called CONGO is opening this weekend. It’s based on the book by Michael Crichton (he also wrote JURASSIC PARK). I want to see it because I listened to the book on audio tape when Alan and I drove from Miami to Key West. There were a number of French folks staying at the DUVAL HOUSE where we stayed while in Key West. It was so warm and tropical. It was ‘Paloma and Michael Santa Cruz weather’. Ha-ha Later.
Love, Michael
And what do you know...Dorothy Rua wrote me again...
June 11, 1995: Can’t seem to get to sleep. Had a few drinks after dinner tonight and even got asked to dance the (SWING) while I was out, so I thought I’d be good and tired by now. Especially since I didn’t get to sleep last night (morning) until 3AM. Lying here thinking of you, so I thought I’d write. Remember the gift you gave me five years ago: the cucumber t-shirt. Well, I’m wearing it for the first time tonight. Guess it’s the first time I felt totally free to wear it without comments or questions. After all of this time it still makes me laugh. Jan got a real kick out of it, too. Actually, Jan got more than a kick out of the music (tapes) you sent me over the years. We listened to both tapes on the way down here and again since we’ve been here. She has two favorites: LOVE LETTERS and I’M YOUR MAN. I love so many of the songs but those are included on my list of favorites, too. Where did you find I’M YOUR MAN (by Leonard Cohen). And, where is this guy? Can I find him?
We spent hours on the beach today and we’ll be out there again tomorrow. We’re hoping to ride those horses on the beach tomorrow, too. Didn’t have enough time today because of the tan I was working on, lying on the sand with those calla lilies. I’ll have to get a new bunch of calla lilies if you ever get a chance to meet me up here.
It was wild when I first walked into Jan’s home. The first picture I saw on the wall when I entered was a framed print of calla lilies. No kidding! I mean, is that strange, or what? My first thought was, “Michael’s been here!” Ha-ha
Jan had been inviting me down here for months but I kept coming up with reasons for not heading down. Now I know why. Once down here with the ocean it’s so hard to think of leaving. I know I’ve only ben her one day but even the people seem friendlier and more open to communication. how am I ever going to be able to get back in the car and go back to Walnut Creek tomorrow? I guess I have to remind myself there will be other times and be glad that I’m finally getting myself out of some of the routines that were bothering me. This has been so good for me. Can’t wait for “next time”. There’s so much more exploring to do.
I feel so close to you here. Maybe it’s the ocean, palm trees and sunshine that I know you also enjoy so much. Getting a little sleepy now, so good night and sweet dreams.
Love You, Dorothy
Geographical distance counts for little in the world of the psyche. Some things are not so easily left behind. --Alex Michaelides, THE SILENT PATIENT
