We talked and chatted between customers. He was nice, but I had to remind myself that he was married. That was the big hang-up, besides the fact of my inheritance, and he didn’t have to know about that, at least not yet.
Levi seemed nice all right, but he was smooth, and it backed me up a bit. He seemed to say all of the right things—that was for sure. I eyed him from behind the counter.
“No one has treated me like this for a very long time,” I mumbled, and as soon as I’d said it I knew I’d made a mistake, but he was nice and pretended not to notice.
“I’ve got to go,” he said finally. Our eyes met. I reached out and brushed his arm. He smiled as if it meant something. And then he was gone, and there I was, with only my customers. I went through the motions and helped them one at a time. But my mind was racing and my heart was dancing, because I really hadn’t been treated like this for a very long time.
But Levi was married, and I couldn’t remove that particular fact from my mind. And besides, I knew that I would never marry again, and I had multiple reasons for thinking like that.
But Levi had looked good. His smile was sincere and his embrace was firm. I felt a bit giddy, but apprehensive too. Then I thought about my sister, and then I thought about my son. Life was so complex and life was so unfair. I could really use a good night’s sleep about now.
But Levi was so nice. He had touched me and he had held me, right in front of all these people, but on the other hand….
“Crap! Could my life get any crazier? I supposed so, but then….
I really could have used a bite to eat, but the clock seemed to be stuck on five thirty. I had much to think about the rest of the night, and trust me friend, I certainly did.
Chapter 19
“Two more Songs”
The next day I forwarded Callii two Youtube links, both of which were songs. I sent her “When I’m Sixty Four” by the Beatles and told her not to be nervous, it was all in fun. And then I sent her one of my old favorites, “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young. I also reminded her how good I’d thought she looked at the Expo.
The reality of it was that the experience at the Expo had been exhilarating for me. I hadn’t “seen someone” for thirty-something years, even if it was only for fifteen minutes in the middle of a crowd. My heart was beating a little faster than it had been just the day before, and I had a new little skip in my step. But I did feel a bit deceitful for the first time in many years. It was unlike me to live a lie, no matter how big or small the lie might be, and that bothered me. I was still married and….
I tried not to think about that part of it. After all, this was just an old friendship, wasn’t it?
From Callii Wilson
Nov 18th
Good afternoon to you. I decided to write you because I am tired of being in the world of the little people. I am so bored. I am ready to return to my home and my real life—the life of us tall people.
I just looked back at my other emails because I couldn’t remember the questions I hadn’t answered and I found a couple of emails I didn’t know I had. Way to keep up—right?
Thanks for your more than kind comments, Levi. I was just wondering if you’ve had your eyes checked lately, but you looked great. I want you to know that.
Okay then, now some answers to your questions. Yes, I own a gun, and I know how to use it! (I really don’t, but I could scare someone with it.)
Thanksgiving is at my house. I’m expecting about forty people. It should be fun. Where are you going?
Santa is going to bring me a train. I have wanted one for years. You know the kind that goes up to the ceiling. I am decorating a bedroom like a train station. It should be fun if I ever get it done.
I think that was all of the questions, but now some questions for you. This is one that you don’t have to answer. Is your wife unhappy in your marriage? And now one that is not so serious. What is your favorite Christmas childhood memory? Well, I guess I have to end now. I have a three year old throwing a temper tantrum. Pray that I live through it. Your friend, Grandma Callii
From Levi Stone
Nov 18th (Six hours later)
What a surprise, I thought it would be Sunday or Monday before I’d hear a peep from you. Is your life ever going to wind down? Forty people at Thanksgiving is a lot of people. Are they all family? Do you really thrive on this kind of thing? I love to go to parties, but I don’t really like to host them. I guess we’re different that way. We were going to have Thanksgiving at our house this year but Mary’s mother insisted on having it at her house in Driggs. Her house is ever perfect and always has been. She’s Mrs. Clean, that’s for sure. But her house is small and she is a touch high strung. (It runs in the family.) Also she is seventy nine years old. She wanted to rent the church, and of course my everything-has-to-be-perfect little wife didn’t think that would be a good idea, so I’m not sure, still, exactly where it will be—somewhere in Driggs I guess.
Here it is, five thirty in the evening, so this one may be a long and rambling note. I hope that’s a good thing for you and not a bad thing. I went up last night and searched through my CD collection and brought down “The Best of the Association” and “The Rascals’ Greatest Hits”. I’m listening to The Association right now in the DVD player on my old console television. Its old speakers still put out great sound after all these years.The Rascals’ “Time Peace” album was the first music I ever bought for myself, and it’s still one of my all-time favorites. I still remember coming out of the store in Idaho Falls and feeling so excited about being able to play it in my car. It’s funny the little things that we remember. It’s like you said, some songs will take us back.
I think we should go on a road trip. I hope that doesn’t shock you. I’ve thought about it quite a bit and I think that would be a good way to reacquaint ourselves. We could go for four hours, six hours, eight hours, or whatever you think. A road trip is a great way to talk in private, have a great meal, enjoy the drive, and just be relaxed. Are you in, or am I being a little presumptuous? Or, if you like, we could visit some model homes one day in either the area up here by your daughter or down in Rexburg. It is just for fun, after all we are just old friends from high school. Think about it and let me know. I have a sick day I need to burn. A Thursday or Friday would be good. You can pick your day. Choose well, we could be awhile. We’ll have to watch the weather closely, though. If you’re in, there are all kinds of directions we could go. The high canyons might be out this time of year, though.
You know, I’ve always thought that someday I’d like to write a romantic comedy of some kind. I have considered writing some story where the guy sends messages occasionally through old songs. I seem to be living that story with you. I hope you don’t mind, It’s kind of fun on my end.
Also Callii, I need you to know that my words to you were not too kind at all—you are a foxy grandma. Do you think I can’t tell, or what? Also, it was nice of you to tell me that I looked good, but I know where I’m at and I don’t need you putting that kind of burden on me.
I’m glad you own a gun, living alone and being so attractive and everything. I want to buy a pistol but it has been vetoed by you know who. I still may buy one and stuff it in the gun safe downstairs, with the rest of the emergency kind of stuff. She doesn’t have to know. Do you have a 38 caliber or what? My son hocked my old Remington shotgun when he was having his battle with drugs. I didn’t know about it until about a year after it happened. It was bad enough that he hocked his own gun, the gun that I gave him for Christmas. It was a nice gun (engraved Winchester Special) that I won at work. But my old shotgun was given to me by my dad when I was fourteen years old, and it was certainly none of his business to mess with it in any way. I’m still ticked off about it, but I did go out and buy me a new one.
I think I don’t really understand what kind of a train that you’re talking about. Can you explain it a little better? A train that goes up at the ceiling doesn’t show me anything mentally—sorry. I p
robably haven’t seen one before.
And you asked what my favorite Christmas memory is. I don’t think that there is one wham bang super palooza memory that stands out, but there are many memories that blend together in one great whole. The whole Christmas experience is warm and positive in my mind. Pieces as a kid I remember: Peeking out my bedroom window (downstairs) and watching Grandpa Morrison and my uncles burning boxes and wrap. Breaking a basement window as I tried to crawl out and peek at the gifts. There was getting a BB gun of course. And there was the silver belt buckle that had a derringer implanted in it. It popped out and shot a bullet when you pushed on it with your belly. I remember Grandma Morrison gathering up the wrapping paper so she could take it home and iron it, so she could use it again.
I remember hearing a lot of commotion in the game room, just outside my bedroom, when I was in fourth grade. After it quieted down I went out and discovered a regulation size pool table that they’d set up. I was really excited. We had many a winter tournament on that table over the years: “Eight Ball”, “Rotation”, or “Screw your Buddy”, and it was all good. Lon Moore and my brother Braden come to mind more than others, though there were always others.
And I’ll always remember the trips to Grandma Morrison’s home down in Blackfoot. The memories there are warm and heartfelt. The mood was always merry and the cousins were always plentiful. I was driving by grandma’s old house one time when I was in my forties, when a sudden thought shot through my head, I didn’t know grandma was poor! It had never even occurred to me.
And you? You probably have a favorite memory or you wouldn’t have asked. Also, I have one bad memory that broke my heart, but it’s too long for an e-mail, maybe some other time.
Well, I’m burnt out on writing now so I’ll end it here and send you more later.
I Love hearing from you, Levi
***
And then I sent a link to another song: “Cherish” by The Association. And then I sent her another one: “A Girl Like You” by the Rascals.
From Callii Wilson
Nov 19th
Good morning to you my friend, I am once again in the land of the little people. I have sent three of them off to school already. One went with his hair uncombed and Halloween candy in his tummy, but he didn’t miss the bus. I figure his mom will get things back together when she gets home. She gets home tomorrow night, so my duties will end this afternoon. Her friend, and neighbor, is going to take them for the rest of today until their daddy gets home. Yeah! I think I am going to live, and I think the kids will too, in spite of my rusty parenting skills. Now I can move on to my next event. That would be a birthday party for my niece on Saturday. She just turned sixteen. It is a surprise party with the entire drill team and any boyfriends that want to come. I have a lot of cleaning to do before anyone can come into my house. That should keep me busy.
My son left for home yesterday. He’ll be back here again on the 22nd of December. It was fun having him stay with me. I didn’t see him that much but we had some real good talks when I did. He has a girlfriend in Vancouver, and that, of course, is what is causing some of the problems in his marriage. She was the nanny for his 18 month old. There is a lot more to this story and I’ll fill you in some other time, sometime when I’m not writing to you with one thumb on my cell phone.
The road trip sounds fun. I’ll write more about that later too.
Thanks for the music. I love it. I sat up last night and listened to the songs and…
To be continued
***
From Callii Wilson
Nov 22nd (One day later)
Hello again, I can’t believe how many typing mistakes I made on that last email. It is hard to concentrate when you have lots of kids around, but I am done with that duty and I’m ready for the next challenge, which will be going to my sister’s house in Iowa. She ended up back in the hospital Saturday night, but she is out, as of today, and is doing well. She is supposed to have a friend stay with her all of next week, but she is nervous to have her come because she will be bringing her ten month old with her. That’s a little too much with her three month old being there, so she asked me if I would come, and then she could tell her friend that she was already taken care of. I don’t know for sure what’s going to happen yet, but I am hoping she comes up with a different solution because this is the time of year I can make some good money selling dolls! But if she needs me I will be there.You asked if she was from the same mother, and the answer is yes. My mom was forty two years old when she had her—and it was quite the surprise. We were both pregnant at the same time. She is my only sister. I always wanted one and I finally got her. She is more like one of my kids than a sister, though. She and my daughter are really close. Tacey has no sister of her own so she claims Brooke as one.
So, what have you been up to? Are you looking forward to Thanksgiving? Are you going to get up at 3:00 in the morning to get some of those great specials? We tried that last year and I said never again, but we’ll see. I don’t think it is worth it. I would rather pay the extra bit of money.
When I figure out if I am going to Iowa we can decide on the road trip. It sounds really fun but I am not sure if it would be appropriate. Please convince me that it’s okay. I feel like I would be doing the same thing I have been preaching to my son against.
You asked me about my name and its spelling. My mom did that to me, she was a very creative woman. She liked it with two i’s because my middle name is Jo. She would write it like this: Calliijo, three dots in a row. It is oh so cute, but it has given me a lot of grief. I don’t go by Callpurnia much—only when I am trying to be professional, which isn’t very often.
Speaking of my mom, I asked you about your favorite Christmas memory. Mine is of my mom and me going to pick out my Christmas doll for the year. We would shop and shop until we found that special one, and then she would spend hours making clothing for it. My mom gave me a doll every year until she passed away, and I have done the same thing for my daughter. For the last two years, since my mom died, my daughter has given me a doll. We are all doll lovers. Can you tell?
Also, we always had Christmas dinners with the extended family. My mom had nine sisters and three brothers. By the time all of those people and their families got together it was a total mad house, but it was a lot of fun. There are a lot of good cooks in that family.
So what is your favorite Christmas movie, and what is your favorite Christmas Song?
Well, it is time to end this for tonight. Have a good night and I hope to hear from you soon, Calliijo
***
From Levi Stone
Nov 23rd
Calliijo, three dots in a row—how cute is that, and this cute as a button name just fits you, because you are as cute as a button too. You told me once that your mother would tell me to run from you, but I don’t believe that for a minute. She sounds like a wonderful woman and someone that was very close to you. Am I right? Thirteen kids on your mother’s side is amazing. It sounds like you and your mom were very close, and it sounds like she hasn’t been gone too very long either. I’m so sorry. My mom has been gone for almost five years now, and I still think of her often. No one has influenced my life more than my mother, and I’m just one of six kids. Again, I’m sorry. I know that you miss her. My mom was very close to her sisters as well. Most live here locally. Sadie and Glen lived in Sugar City. They were the parents of Shelly and Julie, as well as eight younger kids. They lived two blocks down the street from me and I hung out there all the time. Again, there were ten kids in that family and there was always a party going on down there. They were my second family. John Morrison, mom’s brother, lived two blocks in the opposite direction, and my younger brothers hung out at their house. Mom’s brother Lex, the oldest in her family, went down in a plane crash in World War II. When mom found out she was going to die, she was excited to be able to see him again.Is your sister doing okay? Was there a scare there? It’s hard to be away from family and worry about them.
I can feel the love you have for her in your writings. I know that it’s hard when you’re away from family. I lived in Soda Springs for several years, and we may as well have lived out of state. We had only ourselves to rely on. I found out that it’s a lot farther from Sugar City to Soda Springs, than it is from Soda Springs to Sugar City, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I hope it all works out for you.
Where do you sell your dolls this time of year? You said that’s what you do to make money.
Now, what have I been up to? Hmmhh? I went to the Utah Jazz game last Friday with some neighbors; they’re all about my age. It was a long drive but it was pretty fun. The next day I was kind of sick and wanted to do nothing but sleep for twenty four hours. It must have been the hotdog.
At work, my assignment on the team is to do all the pot luck dinners and party stuff, and that’s kept me going the last few days. We had pulled pork and roast beef sandwiches yesterday for our pot luck. That kind of stuff would be pretty simple for a girl like you, but I’m brain dead in the kitchen. I have no culinary skills at all, and I’m always grateful when I find guys who can cook. I’m on an all-male team right now, but the upside is we can be a little looser with our language in team meetings.
Lexi said something interesting when I was taking her home on Sunday, and this is a little revealing of Mary. She was talking to me about putting up the Christmas tree and she all of a sudden said, “You laugh when we talk about the Christmas tree, and grandma Bonnie would laugh when we talk about the Christmas tree, but grandpa Jeff wouldn’t laugh, he would just say, ‘It’s not after Thanksgiving yet.’ (He’s the strong silent type.) And Grandma Mary wouldn’t laugh, either.” I just said, “Everybody is different and everybody has a different personality.” But it was just another stab in my gut reminding me of who I live with. Sigh. Now see, it makes me feel kind of dirty to share that stuff. It’s a continual balancing act. Sigh again.
The Widow's Friend Page 7
