Part IV: Spin – Special Delivery #3 (Chapter 77)

I had once read about a character who had steamed open an envelope – maybe it was Nancy Drew – in order to solve a mystery.

It didn’t sound like a very difficult process, but I had to light the pilot on the stove – matches and gas together terrified me.

I decided to try, anyway.

You can do it, Sam!

After several attempts, which filled the air with gas, I managed to light the stove.

Success.

I put a pan filled with water on the burner.

When the water came to a rolling boil, I held the envelope over the steam for a few seconds at a time, prying at the sealed flap, trying not to rip it apart, until it finally loosened.

I sat down on the kitchen chair and slid the blue onion skin paper out of the envelope.

I unfolded the letter:

 

January 11, 1964

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Mallory,

I was hoping I wouldn’t never have to write this letter but the situation here has become so bad and you should know what’s going on. Rosie don’t know I’m writing this so please don’t say nothing. She would kill me for sure if she knew I told. It’s that bad.

Rosie started drinking again about four months ago. I wasn’t worried too much at first because she was handling it real good, maybe just a beer or a little wine here and there. Nothing serious.

But then a month or so afterwards she found out about the baby and she really started guzzling down the booze. She’s six months pregnant now, baby’s due in early April and the doctor don’t know if the kid will be born OK, sick maybe even dead. I tried my best to get her to go to the doctors office sooner but she just screamed at me.

She said You goddam S.O.B. you got me this way now you figure out a way to get rid of this thing in my belly.

Mrs. Mallory, I know she don’t mean it, it’s the booze talking not your sweet Rosie. I know you don’t approve of us living together and I don’t blame you. I want to marry her more than anything in the world and make a proper lady out of her but she can’t find Dean Platts nowhere to get a divorce. Someone at the club told me he heard Platts was somewhere down in Mexico but I got my hands full with Rosie right now and Platts whereabouts is the last thing on my mind. Just as soon as things settle down, I’ll work on making things right between me and your daughter.

Maybe you could tell Samantha her mama’s married and expecting a new baby soon. She’ll find out about the baby sooner or later, but she don’t have to know we’re not married.

Rosie asks about her all the time and cries because Sam don’t answer her letters. Maybe you could talk her into writing her mama a letter. It would mean so much to her right now. It would be a real big help all around.

No matter what Rosie loves her little girl and wishes she could be living here with us. Maybe someday when things are right again.

Mrs. Mallory, I’ll leave it up to you, but Rosie and me sure need your help. Don’t worry I don’t mean money help. I make a good living selling cars during the week and on Fri. & Sat. nights I play sax & clarinet at a jazz club. But if you could come out for a few weeks in April and help when the baby comes it would greatly be apreciated (Thank you). Somehow, we’ll make out like you’re just coming for a visit.

Dear God, forgive us all.

Johnny Lawrence