Epilogue
Lesley Milton
From: [email protected]
Sent: July 20, 2010 7:34 a.m.
Subject: Grandma Camp
Lesley,
I can’t believe you talked me into this Grandma Camp idea of yours! I don’t think I’ve slept three hours straight in the past week. These kids hardly seem to need any sleep at all—although after getting Gary and me up at six this morning they did go back to bed. (And so, of course, did Gary.) Not me, though. Which is why I’m at the computer a little earlier than usual.
Charlie, who’s almost nine, is enthralled with American baseball and wants to watch every single game on TSN. He’s declared (rather apologetically, since I’m such a New Yorker) that he’s a Boston Red Sox rather than a Yankees fan. Thankfully Gary loves baseball, too, and has taken my very English grandson to a couple of games at Yankee Stadium. I’ve been with the twins all week and trust me, they’re a handful. I’d forgotten that six-year-old girls could have this much energy—and with two of them the energy quota is doubled. No, more than doubled. Tripled. I’m not complaining, mind you, because we’re having a ridiculous amount of fun (even if I’ve had to sacrifice regular sleep). You’re right about this special time with grandchildren. I’m getting to really know them and they’re getting to know me. I want them to understand, to feel, how deeply I love them, how much they mean to me.
I marvel at Charlie with his lovely British accent because he reminds me of Monty. I see my husband’s smile in my grandson’s eyes. At first it stopped me cold, the way he looks and acts so like the grandfather he never knew. I can sense that Monty is watching over his grandchildren with love. He would have treasured them. But Gary’s been marvelous with all three; they call him Grandpa, and it seems completely right and natural. I heard from Leni Jo and Will, and they’re having a marvelous time in New Orleans. Will has always wanted to visit the city. I never expected my British son-in-law to become enamored with Cajun cooking. He’s purchased four cookbooks and picked up numerous bottles of hot sauce and various kinds of spices. Apparently he has every intention of preparing dishes like jambalaya and étouffée once they get back to London.
Leni Jo could hardly wait to talk to me. You’ll never guess who she met on Bourbon Street. Paul. I can’t recall his surname now, but he’s the musician Leni Jo was so crazy about fourteen or fifteen years ago. He’s working in one of the clubs—and not as a musician, either. He was tending bar. Leni Jo introduced him to Will, and Paul gave them a mint julep on the house. Leni Jo, who has such a tender heart, felt bad for him. She says he’s let the music inside him die.
On a more positive note, before the grandchildren arrived in New York, Gary and I had our annual doctors’ visits. We were both given a clean bill of health. Gary’s heart is fine and I’m still cancer-free. I’m so grateful I lived long enough to enjoy my sweet grandchildren!
Speaking of whom...Lesley and Jilly are awake. Lesley likes to cuddle in my lap and Jilly sits beside me while I read them a story. We’re reading a few chapters of Charlotte’s Web every day. They’ll be clamoring for this morning’s installment, so I’d better end this soon.
Really, Lesley—despite what might have sounded like grumbling—I’m glad you suggested Grandma Camp. I’m sure the children will remember these wonderful days we’re spending together. Yes, I know I’m in England almost as much as I am in New York and Florida, but this is different...
Get back to me soon and tell me exactly when you and Steven plan to visit us in Florida next winter. You’ve talked about wintering here so often, I feel compelled to tell you that the condo next to ours is up for sale—and at a good price, too. Gary and I are friends with the Greensteins (we all had drinks with them on the balcony, remember?) and they wanted me to mention this. Think about it. The last time we even lived in the same town was when we were in high school. Wouldn’t it be divine to be neighbors?
Email me soon.
Love,
Jillian
Jillian Gordon
From: [email protected]
Sent: July 22, 2010 8:20 p.m.
Subject: Grandma Camp
Dearest Jillian,
You always could make me laugh! I can just picture you with Charlie and the twins. No doubt they ran you ragged before noon. I, on the other hand, had the advantage of having raised four children, so Grandma Camp was less of a shock to my system. During the early days of motherhood, I was single—as you well remember. Looking back, I wonder how I ever survived those years. I do know that your friendship, love and encouragement went a long way toward helping me do it. The fact that I now have four adult children, each of them established in life and doing well, feels like a miracle. They’ve all had to face their own demons, but that wasn’t unexpected. Their father was an alcoholic and their mother too confused and co-dependent to do anything more than cope. I find my children truly amazing. I’m so proud of each one.
Did I mention that David and Meagan came by for dinner on Sunday? Steven stood guard over the barbecue and did an impressive job with the marinated chicken. (Lindy gave him the recipe.) Davy, who isn’t quite fifteen, is talking about getting his driver’s license. He’s already picked out the type of car he wants. His father reminded him that if he wants to drive, he has to keep up his grades, which shouldn’t be a problem since he’s a smart boy. Hard to believe my oldest grandchild is about to start high school!
Do you remember when Sister Agnes gave you a demerit during our third year at Holy Name Academy? You’d rolled up the waistband of your skirt so it didn’t touch the ground when you knelt down. How scandalous!! Can you imagine what Sister Agnes would think of the way girls dress these days? Times sure have changed.
Lindy and I talk every day. How the two of us ever survived her teenage years is beyond me. She chose well when she married Jordan. He’s been a good husband and father to her and their three children. We’re close, as close as you and Leni Jo, and I’m so grateful for that. I don’t know how she manages with her job at the hospital, her family and everything else—and yet she does.
Oh, Doug phoned early this morning with some great news. Word is that the Navy will probably station him in Bremerton. That’ll be the first time my son and his family will live in the state of Washington since he enlisted back in 1989. I’m over the moon at the thought of having Doug, Julie and their kids, Josie and Paul, close by. They love California, but Seattle will always be their home. It made this mother/grandmother very happy to know I won’t need to book a flight in order to see them or drive to the airport to pick them up. Josie and Paul hardly know their cousins. Other than you, my cousins were my best friends when we were growing up; Josie and Paul have never had the opportunity to spend more than a week or two with theirs. Lindy wants to host a welcome party for them, which is so like her.
I don’t hear from Chris as often as I’d like. He has two years of sobriety and is now doing well. I worry about his finances but he never comes to me for money. I’m grateful he’s taking responsibility for himself. Getting him into rehab was the best thing we could’ve done. He often thanks me for the family intervention we did with him. He hated having to admit he’s an alcoholic but heaven knows he came by it honestly. Seeing my son succeed (so far!) in his struggle with alcohol makes me wonder what might have happened if Buck had been able to get the help he needed. For all his faults, I think Buck wanted to be a good father. He simply didn’t know how. Thankfully Steven gave my children a great example of what a husband and father should be. They all love him. Honestly, Jillian, I don’t know what my life would be like without him. He’s been so good to me and my family. I thank God every day for sending Steven into my life.
My goodness, I have gotten long-winded in my old age, haven’t I? I wanted to let you know I think you’re brave and wonderful for entertaining your grandchildren at your very own Grandma Camp. And I’m so pleased both you and Gary have a clean bill of health.
Mainly I wanted to tell you that Steven and I are seriously interested in the Greensteins’ condo.
Just think—we could be neighbors next winter. Oh, Jillian, we’d have so much fun! Imagine living right next door to my very best friend! As soon as you get more details, send them on.
Love,
Lesley
Lesley Milton
From: [email protected]
Sent: July 23, 2010 3:40 p.m.
Subject: Grandma Camp (and Florida)
Lesley,
Gary and I just got home from taking the grandkids to see the Frick Collection, which is my favorite museum ever. I can hear the girls chattering away in their bedroom, and Charlie’s looking for a ball game on the TV. So I’m taking advantage of this brief period of quiet to email you back.
I’m sending the Realtor’s information in a separate message. Fingers crossed that this works out!
You know, I have a lot to be thankful for—my family, my health, my very comfortable retirement. And my friendship with you. It’s one of the most important things in my life.
Love,
Jillian
Jillian Gordon
From: [email protected]
Sent: July 23, 2010 7:59 p.m.
Subject: Grandma Camp (and Florida)
Jillian,
Got the real estate info. Thanks!! We’ll get on this right away. Ditto everything you said in your email about reasons for gratitude. You and I—we’re very blessed. As my grandkids say, we’re BFFs. And it really is forever.
Next winter in Florida, on your balcony or ours, we’ll raise a glass to friendship. Can’t wait!
Much love,
Lesley
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