My Daughter, Audrey [ON HOLD]

The Holmes Letters

October 31, 1962

Dearest Peter,

               You don’t know how I felt when I had received your letter. I thought my letter would never reach you.  I am so happy you said, no, I wish you would have.  I have sent a letter to Helen, announcing my arrival at her Christmas Eve party.  As much as I would love to be devious and just show up, I’d want to go about this as “casually” as possible…does that still sound devious, dear?  Oh, how I loathe these situations—I just can’t wait to have our baby back.   I am glad to hear you are well, and my heart dropped at your news of the tailor shop—I will be sending faith your way that you find work.  I know you will—you’re very dedicated and intelligent—would take a fool to turn you down, my love.   As you can tell, it’s been two weeks since you received my first letter, I hope this one is long enough for you to read until I can send another.

               I have been doing well.  The hotel I am staying at in California is quite comfy but chilly.  I hope you can arrange a flight some time and come stay with me.  I don’t like being without you, but you’re in my heart and mind every moment of the day.  Oh, how I miss you, my darling.  October is closing, and November seems terribly close.  I haven’t got a job yet myself.  I have applied to several restaurants and cafes, but haven’t heard back yet. How awful it is to wait.

               I received Audrey’s dear little letter—the poor thing, how I miss her so!  I just hope Helen is treating her well, I’m afraid I would have my hands around her throat if she dare hurts Audrey.   Have I told you how grateful I am to have you in my life? You came in just the right time.  If you don’t know what I mean, I shall tell you, my love. The last past months before you asked me out for dinner, I had been struggling to find myself.  I didn’t know who I was to people, and I didn’t care much about how people treated me.  I didn’t search myself deep enough, and if I had, I would have realized that being an object of men’s pleasure was simply harming me.  Of course I needed the money, but there were other ways.

               And then, you along…I remember the first day you came into the club.  Do you remember?  It was my third act in my career.   You looked quite ruffled and I couldn’t help but be reminded of a scared rabbit.  It looked like you had wandered in by accident, but you may have had different intentions.  But, oh, the way your face stood out from the crowd made my heart do a funny thing.  It skipped.  I didn’t know what it meant, and I hardly thought twice about it until you started coming more and more.  I soon discovered your routine and, if I may say, I looked forward to your arrival every night. 

               Oh, Peter darling, I wish I was in your arms, listening to your voice reading my favorite books.  Do you remember the books you read to me?  You had a charming voice, and in some words, I caught on to your Scottish brogue—how marvelous is that?  I shall wrap up this letter, I have a phone call for me downstairs.  Hopefully it’s about a job.  I’ll let you know how I get on.

Your forever beloved, Jennie

                                                                                                                                                     

November 8, 1962

My dear Jennie,

               I received yer letter safely.   November is on us now, love.   In the weeks of our last letter exchange, I found a position as a butcher.  The poor lad who I have replaced lost his hand.  I hope I don’t share the same fate!  I did get severance pay from me boss—about hundred ninety Pound Sterling.  I figure that’s about three-hundred in American dollars? 

               Ya remember the first day I came?  I barely remember it.  I had never been in a nightclub before, and seein it close to that tailors, I figured why I couldn’t have a go.  I went in, and almost turned right back out if it wasn’t for ya singin’ that number.  You had such as sweet voice that I was mesmerized.  I couldn’t think of anything but you.  Ya captured me and held me.  I know my heart was turning violently and I could hardly breathe.  I know it wasn’t the smoke that stopped me breathing.  I was later yanked out by some lads for not paying.   After that, I made sure to save me money.  It’s hard for me to explain meself on paper, my lass.  I do miss yer voice.  And I lost me temper a couple of times, and it was a shame ya weren’t here to tame me.  I bout broke several plates and a vase, but I didn’t. 

               Any news from Audrey?  How did ya get on with the job, my beautiful?  I will keep ya updated on my whereabouts. 

Forever yours and thinking of ya often.  Peter

 

October 30, 1962

Dear Daddy,

               I got your letter.  Grandpa is writing this for me while I tell him what to write.  It took so long for your letter to come, but as Grandpa says, “It’s because you’re over the pond.”  I have been doing school, minding Mother, and making sure to get fresh air so my lungs don’t go bad.  I miss Taffy, but Mother may get me a rabbit if I do well on my school.   I miss Mommy, Mother doesn’t sing as well as Mommy.  I got a cold, too.  I don’t like it, but I’m being very brave.  I’m going to write Mommy after you.  I also have a letter for Taffy, read it to him?  I wrote it myself!

Dear Taffy,

               I miss you a lot.  It’s November now! I know you can’t read the calendar.  I can’t give you treats over the mail, but I next time I can.  You are a good dog and don’t bark too much.  Love, Audrey

               Grandpa is writing now.  Didn’t you think that a good letter to Taffy?  I hope he doesn’t get mad at me for not giving him treats.  I love you a lot.  And come see me soon!  I will be looking out the window sometimes for you and Mommy, but not all the time because of my cold.  Love you forever and ever!  Signed, Ace

                                                                                                                                                     

November 16, 1962

Our dear little, Audrey,   

               This has been a very belated letter to you!  Daddy sent me yours and it made me smile so much.  I hope you are well, for I miss you mightily.  How are you, my love?  How is your school?  I’ve said a prayer for you every night, our little blessing.   Mommy and Daddy love you very much!

Love, your Mommy