(2) HE DIDN'T CARE IF I WAS MOTHER SUPERIOR.

January 31, 1992

     Kathie saw a one‑woman show at the Charles Playhouse called "Shirley Valentine."  She has been urging me to see it, but the friends I asked to go with me had either seen it already or didn't want to face the trip to Boston.  A couple of days ago I received a letter from Ed's friend, Cleo.  She bought two copies of my book when I was autographing copies at the Bookport, and then I never heard another word from her.  I could only surmise that Take My Ex had offended her.  She's a very private person, and although I changed the names of Ed's women friends, perhaps she thought her character might be recognized.

    I was sad because I had tried hard not to hurt anyone but figured I should respect her feelings and leave her alone.  In her recent note, Cleo apologized for having let so many months go by without getting in touch.  She asked if I'd like to go to lunch someday soon.     

   The upshot is that Helena and I are going to see "Shirley Valentine" next Thursday afternoon and then go out for dinner.  The matinee is a half‑price special for senior citizens, so the  tickets are only $14 apiece, including the $2.75 processing fee.  It's at times like this that I feel positively thrilled to qualify as a senior citizen. 

     Not long ago, it seems, I wasn't old enough to have a drink with my mother when we had lunch on Charles Street, near my Beacon Hill apartment.  Kathie must have been with us because I  certainly couldn't afford a sitter in those days.  I remember  saying to the bartender, "But I'm a mother!  If I'm old enough to  have a baby, I ought to be old enough to have a drink."  He  didn't care if I was Mother Superior.  If I couldn't prove I was  twenty‑one . . . sorry.

January 31, 1992  

     Yesterday I sent the first twelve chapters of my second book to my agent.  After rereading them for the tenth time, I lost all confidence in their worth.  I felt the same way when I was writing my memoir.  At one point I yelled at my computer, WHO CARES ABOUT ALL THIS?  ENOUGH  PICKING ON POOR ED!  ENOUGH OF THESE CORNY EPISODES WITH THEIR FEEBLE PUNCHLINES!

     My friend Ed Brecher reassured me, and now Kathie is doing the same.  She plans to edit the rest of the book while she is visiting Ed and Aliceann in Florida. 

     I've written Aliceann that I'm counting on her nurturing to build up Kathie's strength.  She lost her appetite when she lost her husband, although emotionally I think she's stronger than ever. . . .