BOBBY'S LETTER TO JEANETTE

It was a bright Sunday morning, and I slept so very well.  I had such joy in my heart.  I got up and peed, washed my hands, and put the coffee on.  I took the L.A. Times as the News Press did not print a Sunday paper. While out on the front porch, I saw the Fishbacks drive bye and they all waved and Carl honked the horn.  They were going to Sunday School and Church.  The morning passed quickly and I pondered what to do with the day.  I showered, shaved and dressed in casual clothing.  I decided I would walk around back yard and see if anything needed attention.  The Orange trees I had planted looked good as well as the Night  Blooming Jasmine.  I raked a few leaves and then sat down in a lawn chair.  It dawned on me that I had heard nothing regarding the mystery of the old lady disappearing from the house behind the Fishbacks.  For lack of anything else to do, I decided to walk over to that house and enquire about her. After all, I had talked to her son when the Police were there.  I walked over and knocked and the son answered the door. He immediately recogfnized me and was very gracious and appreciated that I cared enough to ask.  He was surprised I had not heard that she was found just wandering around and some other old lady met her and in her own brand of senility, invited the old lady to come in and stay with her.  Evidently the old lady behind Bob just walked out the door while her Mother in Law was in the restroom.  I told him I was so happy to hear the good news, and then walked back home.  Time travel always has recurring events of seeing things and memories of when I saw them before when I was there in my 1952 as a 13 year old.  Now that the film has been re-wound, I had a chance to do some things that I never did back then.  I happened to notice some shoes that had been tied together and thrown up and wrapped themselves around a telephone line. I did that one day in...1952.  I thought of a really super kid named Ed who lived two blocks over.  In three years he would be dead from an auto accident. His last words to me when we were in Clark Jr High were:  "Fishback, you really look flashy."  I went on up to my home and saw an envelope stuck in my mail box...I had missed it when I came out this morning.  ;It was Bob's letter to Jeanette.  A note was scribbled on the envelope..."Mr key...I wrote this and want you to read it..Not very good.  Bob.  I decided to sit down in a chair on the porch and read it.  Here is what I read:   Dear Jeanette:  I feel scared writing to you.  The last time I saw you was in June of 1950.  My folks sold their house and we moved to another place in Glendale.  I went to sixth grade at R.D. White on Doran St.  I had a real neat teacher named Mr. Parsons.  I think about you all the time and I miss you.  You are the first girl who ever liked me.  I liked you very much.  I don't know why, but I would like to see you again.  Do you already have a boyfriend?  . I don't have a girl friend.  I have met the nicest man who moved to our block about six months ago.  He is a good friend and we talk and laugh allot together.   I love my Daddy, but I wish Mr. Key was my Daddy.  He understands me and he taught me about the difference between feelings and facts.  Facts should lead us and feelings should trail along like exhaust smoke follows a car.  Do you like steak?  If you don't, please let me make a steak for you before you make up your mind.  You are the cutest girl I have ever met.  Please, please let me season your meat.  .  In case you think I am stupid, please know I was smart enough to recognize that your ambiance and singing ability is the paragon of excellence in all that makes a boy like me to fall in love with you....I love you, Jeanette......Bob Fishback               After reading this, I did not know whether to laugh or cry.  It was typically Bobby. I put a postage stamp on an envelope and addressed it to Jeanette whose address I well knew    I also put Bobby's return address on envelope as well as his home phone number !!!  We shall see.   (to be continued)