Page 55 of A Late-Blooming Rose
I was sad and surprised when I went to the library and you weren’t there. I wanted to talk to you about Moby Dick and the White Whale. But then I heard you went West to Montana, and I don’t blame you one bit. Montana sounds exciting and better than New York any day!
You were right about the book being hard. Took a long time and a lot of words before the White Whale showed up. Parts were boring, and I almost gave up. But I liked the battles with the whale and the spooky parts. I think there were things I didn’t understand. I wished you were still here at the library, so I could bring you the book and ask you about them like I did before.
I tell you, though, I didn’t like everyone dying, but at least Ismael didn’t. I wouldn’t want to work on a whaling ship, even for the adventure. I rather go out West like you and be a cowboy. Have you seen any cowboys yet?
What should I read next, Miss Collier?
When I asked her, my teacher suggested I read Treasure Island and The Swiss Family Robinson and Captains Courageous, but I told her I already read them. She sure was surprised! Started making noises about more reports! Next time, I’m keeping my big mouth shut.
Ma made me take this letter to school and have my teacher correct my words and spelling. Then I had to rewrite it on Ma’s good stationery. Twice! Because the first time I ended up with a big fat blot in the middle of white whale. I didn’t think you’d mind, but Ma screeched when she saw it, saying I’d ruined “the presentation” and “wasted a piece of precious stationery.” As if I wanted to write on a paper with flowers! I got the speech again about ‘if something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.’ I think she should have just let me tear off a sheet from my notebook. Less trouble that way.
When my teacher read the letter, she questioned me about the book and made me write areport.I had to stand in front of the class and readthe whole thing. At least, she gave me extra credit. But it wasn’t worth the work because Neddy Patrucio beat me up at recess for showing off. When she saw my black eye, Ma screeched again. She didn’t like me saying it was her fault. Sent me to bed without my supper.
So today, I rewrote this letter and added what happened. Then I snuck into Ma’s desk and got an envelope and stamp. I put the letter into the mail without her reading what I wrote. You won’t mind the blots, will you? Ma will screech again if she sees that I wrote about her screeching. Don’t know why, cuz she always says to tell the truth.
The next time, I’m going to write you a letter in secret. I’ll just have to save up to buy an envelope and stamps, but there’ll be less trouble, even if I do have to give up sweets for a month.
Your friend,
Jimmy Ortner
Smiling amid pangs of sadness and missing Jimmy and her other favorite patrons, Rose went to her wardrobe, removed her writing desk, and carried the box over to the dressing table, setting it on top. She sat, and as she went through the motions of preparing to write, she thought of what she’d reply to the boy.Something simple and straight to the point.
She dipped the quill of her pen into the inkwell and began to write.
Dear Jimmy,
Reading your letter was almost as good as talking to you in person. Thank you so much for writing. Of course I won’t mind notepaper and blots. What’s more important is you’re communicating with me, and I don’t think you need to be perfect.
I haven’t been in Sweetwater Springs long enough to meet cowboys, although I’ve seen a few men at church who had bowlegs and Stetson hats. I suspect they might work on the local ranches. If I do meet them, do you have questions you want me to ask?
Rose paused for a moment, wondering if she really wanted to ask men she didn’t know any of the inventive questions Jimmy might think up. She decided she needed a caveat.I’ll do what I can to find the information.
As for your teacher’s reports…. I’m sure she was proud of you and wanted the other students to know the wonders of reading stories. I know reports are extra work, and I hope they inspire some of your friends to read the books, too.
I can give you some more reading referrals, but I won’t ask for reports. I’d rather have your letters. Next, perhaps you’d like the fantastical fiction of Jules Verne, such as 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea or Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Please give my regards to your mother.
All the best,
Miss Collier
She sat with the letter for a moment, a sudden bout of homesickness shaking her. All in all, she wasn’t displeased with her life in Sweetwater Springs. But the constant toll of being around Andre and his family and holding her heart apart leached away her happiness.
Her niece, at least, seemed to be thriving in her new home in the mountains. The quarrelsome relationship with her patient, instead of discouraging the young woman, only stimulated her enthusiasm for her profession.
Rose let out a sigh and reached for the small cloth pen wiper to clean the quill of her pen.
If I could go back in time, I’d send Cora here by herself, and I’d remain in New York. Boredom would be preferable to having my heart broken again.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A few days later, Andre sat at the table in his study close enough to Rose to inhale the scent of her characteristic rose soap. The two compiled lists of future calls they wanted to make to potential library donors. He made suggestions, while she took notes.
With each name Andre added, he also told Rose stories about the person or family, trying to amuse as well as familiarize her with the townsfolk. He enjoyed seeing her smile, and, even better, coaxing her to laugh. Since she tended toward solemnity, watching her expression brighten also lit something inside him.She brings me energy.
“Yoo hoo, you two,” called Delia from the hallway.” Caleb Livingston’s relatives have arrived.” She walked through the doorway waving an envelope before handing it to Rose. “And this is a wedding invitation that came for you and Cora. Edith’s son Ben delivered it with her apologies for the late notice. She’d been stranded at a ranch in that brief snowstorm we had this week. Ben actually made a joke about his mother being unusually absent-minded. No doubt, she’s caught up in all the wedding preparations.”
