lilac letters

3

"
dearest Frances,

the summer is so hot here, i can hardly take my mind off it. my mind is often occupied with either the heat or you, and sometimes my annoyance with Alan comes butting its ugly head in.

speaking (writing?) of Alan, he and Dean are now officially seeing each other in secret. Alan's father made a passing comment about their closeness and now Alan is absolutely petrified of his father really finding out. as a result, we've started seeing each other as well, though my relationship with him is entirely fictional. i'd hope you know my heart belongs to you and only you, and, besides, no man could ever make me feel the way you do.

in any case, our fake relationship does good for him as well as me. mother and my brother have stopped pestering me about seeing a boy and Alan's father is pleased that such a "sweet country girl" like me would "grace his son with her presence." i had to hold back an eye roll at his words, instead smiling and nodding like the little country belle i was supposed to be.

afterwards, on the premise of the two of us going on a date, Alan and i left his house to meet up with Dean at the park. from there, we split ways. Alan gave me fifty cents to get some ice cream, but i didn't spend it. i saved it and instead sat at a bench at the park, finishing up some needlework mother had given me to do earlier that day. the change, by the way, went into a jar underneath my bed where i, too, save my money so that we can go out and about on your next visit.

they returned about two hours later, right when the sun was beginning to set. i thanked the stars because my, oh my, was it hot as could be. i was thankful that the setting sun would help to make things bearable outside. i packed up my needlework and Dean parted from us.

on the walk back home i, of course, had to tease Alan about his little date with his beau. "did you do anything fun or were you too just smooching away like little lovebirds?" his blush did all the talking for him and i couldn't help but roll my eyes. he swatted my arm and rolled his own eyes. "you say that like you and Frances aren't completely unbearable when you're together, always singing about how much you love each other -- you're the real lovebirds, you know!" i just laughed because i knew it was true.

Alan's mother had me stay over for dinner. Her cooking isn't all that great, but her sun tea is heavenly. i ought to use my "dating" her son as an excuse to stay over and learn the recipe so i can make it for you.

inside i've included a small heart-shaped rock that i found by my feet at the park as well as a sprig of rosemary from the garden.

i love and miss you dearly

love, Bonnie
"