With love, Alice x

Letter Thirteen

Dear Elsie,

Where was I? Oh yes, Florida. The first visit to Florida was amazing. I saw the beaches and the palm trees, it was amazing how much different it was here then it was back home in Louisiana. Florida seemed like a place where nothing could go wrong.

I enjoyed watching Finley and Jack play ball on the beaches whilst I cared for my new baby angel. We had named him Alfie in honour of Jack's grandfather. We had both loved Alfie so naming our son after him was a perfect idea.

We stayed with Annie and Stanley throughout most of the day, but when it came to sleeping we had a perfectly good room in a hotel not far from where they lived.

We spent two weeks there and those two weeks went amazingly. Some of my happiest times I have, I had in Florida. But, nothing quite beats my home in Louisiana.

I watched has my son kicked the ball and the wind take it away, along with another woman's hat, I learnt later on her name to be Audrey. What a darling name! She had came from New York to enjoy the sand and sea, we got talking and she told me she was in the work of the arts. She was working for a small company and that she enjoyed reading.

I asked what she had read and offered her a new book that I had bought with me, although she did not want to take it at first, I persuaded her.

Audrey took a liking to Finley and Alfie too. She often walked into the sea with Finley jumping and splashing around. I handed my precious youngest son to Jack and joined in with Audrey and Finley.

I had not had so much fun since I was sixteen, when Jack and I went on a date to see a band.

We spoke often during those two weeks. And she wrote her address down for me and asked me to write to her after she had left. I agreed and told her I would, when I'm back in Louisiana.

It was nearing the end of our holiday, and Finley didn't want to leave. Nor did I.

However, I was glad to get back. Louisiana truly had my heart and my little town was a pretty area with excellent schools for my children.

It was slightly cooler here than in Florida. As I unpacked I found Audrey's address and I sat down to write to her, just like I am doing to you.

I told her about Finley and Alfie and Jack. I also told her I would love to visit her in New York. As I have only ever been there once before when I was a child.

Audrey told me she'd be glad to host my family one day. She told me she wanted to visit Louisiana too.

As you can see Elsie, for me, Florida and Louisiana, were perfect and all I ever needed was in those places. Nothing ever bad happened to me in these places.

With love, Alice X