Between Friends. Debbie Macomber

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СКАЧАТЬ and I went to the movies last Saturday and saw John Wayne in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. It was good, but I would’ve had more fun with you than my little sister. Dad said spending 25¢ to see a movie is a waste. I didn’t tell him popcorn went up to 10¢ a bag.

      Call me over at Mrs. Johnson’s house the minute you get home. I have a lot to tell you.

      Your Best Friend Forever,

       Lesley

      September 4th

       English Class

      Lesley,

      Here we are, the first day of HIGH SCHOOL. Don’t you just want to die with happiness? I was disappointed we aren’t in the same homeroom, though. Someone must have told Sister Anna Marie that you and I are best friends. They want to keep us apart, but nothing ever will. At least, we’ve got English and algebra together.

      Can you meet me after school? We need to practice the watusi. I can do the bossa nova but this new dance is more complicated. Thank you for saying I can twist better than Chubby Checker. Now all we need is for a couple of boys to invite us to a dance so we can show everyone how good we are.

      I heard Sister Bernice grades easy in English.

      Jillian

      October 22nd

       Algebra Class

      Jillian,

      Do you think we’re going to war? This is so scary. Even my dad was talking about it. I can’t concentrate on algebra, can you? Mom went to Mass this morning to pray for peace. Cuba wouldn’t really bomb us, would they?

      Lesley

      Algebra Class

      Lesley,

      I don’t know if there will be a war or not, but if there is you can come in the bomb shelter with me. I’ve already told my parents that I refuse to go inside without you. Do you want to sleep over tonight? We can camp out in the shelter. In case something does happen, we’ll be safe.

      Jillian

      P.S. If the politicians listened to the music of Joan Baez and the New Christy Minstrels, I bet this wouldn’t be happening.

      Holy Name Academy

       230 First Street Pine Ridge, Washington 98005

      November 1, 1962

      Dear Judge and Mrs. Lawton,

      Thank you for your generous financial contribution to Holy Name Academy. It is because of benefactors such as yourselves that the Sisters of Providence are able to offer high-quality education to the young Catholic women of Pine Ridge.

      You can trust that the matter of the scholarships for Lesley and Susan Adamski will be handled in the most discreet manner possible. Neither the girls nor their parents need ever know that you have paid their tuition in advance. I have discussed the matter with Mother Superior; she felt it would be best if the girls were awarded scholarships and nothing more was said. I’m confident, however, that if Lesley and Susan Adamski were aware of your generosity, they would express their gratitude personally.

      Again, your generous check is appreciated.

      In Christ’s Service

      Sister Martin de Porres

      Lesley’s Diary

      December 4, 1962

      Scott kissed Jillian and she said it was the most romantic, wonderful event of her entire life. She asked Scott McDougal to the Sadie Hawkins dance and I asked Roy Kloster. Jillian’s dad picked us all up in his new Cadillac. It was my first official date and Roy brought me a corsage. My mother pinned it on my dress—and then embarrassed me by saying in front of Roy how pretty I was.

      Jillian and I spent all afternoon with our hair in pink rollers, the hard plastic ones. Her mother said we used enough hair spray for our hairdos to survive hurricane-force winds.

      I was barely home from the dance when Jillian phoned to tell me that Scott kissed her. She described everything he did, and it sounded better than anything we’ve read in Modern Screen Magazine or Movie Life. I don’t think I’ll ever be kissed. I’m planning on joining the Peace Corps and dedicating my life to helping children in Africa.

      I wanted Roy to kiss me, but all he did was hold my hand. He barely spoke to me all evening. I didn’t talk much either. I knew Roy from Junior High and when I called to ask him to the dance, he sounded like he wanted to go. Mikey has a paper route now and he delivers to Roy’s house on Maple Street. He thinks Roy wants me to be his girlfriend.

      Mom said Roy is shy, but I am, too. If we’re both afraid to talk, we could be seventeen before either one of us gets up the courage to do more than gawk at the other. I want romance and music, the same way Jillian had with Scott. Maybe someday I’ll meet a boy who won’t be afraid to kiss me…and I won’t be afraid to let him. Until then I’m keeping the idea of joining the Peace Corps in the back of my mind.

      Even if Roy didn’t kiss me, I had a wonderful time at the dance. I’m going to sleep now and dream about being kissed. Susan’s still awake and she keeps pestering me. She thinks I should kiss Dr. Kildare. If I can’t get Roy Kloster interested in me, there isn’t much chance a famous television star like Richard Chamberlain would want to kiss me. Besides, I like Ben Casey better.

      1963

      Lesley’s Diary

      January 1, 1963

      Mom and Dad had another one of their fights. They woke all us kids in the middle of the night, ranting and raving at each other. Lily and Bruce came racing into Susan’s and my bedroom and climbed into bed with us. I don’t know what the fight was about this time. Probably money. Or Dad’s drinking. I wish he didn’t drink so much, but he says a beer or two never hurt anybody. Only it does. It hurts Mom when Dad gets so mean. It frightens Lily and Bruce. They’re too young to understand what’s happening or why Dad gets the way he does. All he cares about is his beer, his Legionnaire friends and watching The Beverly Hillbillies.

      Christmas was awful. Dad got laid off at the mill before Thanksgiving, and we couldn’t afford gifts. Mom wrapped up empty boxes with handwritten promises. She promised me a new pair of shoes and a Beatles album after Dad goes back to work. She promised Susan a perm and Mikey a used bike for his paper route. Joe got a picture of a fire truck and Lily a doll that cries Mama when she’s turned upside down. Bruce didn’t understand why he couldn’t have his big red wagon now. I don’t know what we would have done for Christmas dinner if Catholic Charities hadn’t dropped off the food basket. I’d hate it if anyone at school found out how poor we really are. I’d die before I’d tell Jillian about my pretend gift. Her СКАЧАТЬ