"EASY GIRL," KATHIE SAID. "HE'S JUST A MAN."



March 1, 1956
To Darrell McClure
     That was some autograph you sent, and the following members of the family wish to thank you:

LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY AS DONE FOR  BARBARA IN 1970

      Captain Edward, his first mate, and the four young pirates--plus the "furred and feathered Malleys," namely our black cat, Dizzy, and seven parakeets whose names escape me. Of us all, I think our dog Minxi,  was the most appreciative; I know she's never received an autograph.
     We're going to Fort Lauderdale for the two older kids' spring vacation. If you're still in town, maybe you could stop by and say hello before we return to Massachusetts.

April 30, 1956

Fort Lauderdale

    There was a good deal of  speculation as to what Darrell looked like.  Surely he would resemble his Yachting character, Cautious Conrad, more than Little Annie Rooney.  Every time I saw a tall lanky man with a mustache and not much chin, I would nudge the kids and say, “There he is!”  At a restaurant, Kathie put a penny in the “Ask the Swami” machine and asked, “Will Darrell McClure look the way we think he’s going to?”  The cagey answer: “You’ll know in a few days.” 

     So in a few days it was six p.m. and Darrell was due to arrive any minute.  Kathie had just washed her hair, and I was putting it on rollers with what seemed to me commendable calm. 

     “Down girl, easy girl,” Kathie said.  “What are you so excited about?  He’s just a man.”

     “Excited?  Who’s excited?” I said, trying to roll her ear up on a curler.

     There was a knock on our front door.  

     “Hey, what about me?” said Kathie, as I abandoned my helpful mother role.  “I can’t meet Darrell looking like this.”

     "He’s just a man.  Grab a scarf.”

      I could hear Ed introducing himself in the living room.  Taking a deep breath, I swept in, holding out both hands.

     "Darrell’s over there,” Ed said.            

     "Oh--oh--Darrell?" I turned to a tall, fine looking, smiling gentleman with a mustache and more chin than I'd hoped for in my wildest dreams. 

      “No!  Can this be Barbara?   How delightful!  You’re everything I expected and so much more!”

       Ed sat down and picked up a magazine.  According to Teddy, who was watching this historic meeting with his mouth open, I said in a simpering falsetto, wiggling my fanny, “Oh, thank you, Darrell, you’re so kind!”

      When the three of us went out for dinner, Darrell devoted himself exclusively to me.  I tried, I truly did, to bring Ed into the conversation, but he was busily devoting himself exclusively to too many martinis.  We’re all going fishing tomorrow if the captain isn't too hungover. . .

       There was a snapshot of Darrell, giving me a roguish look, that I sent to Ed Brecher along with boating stories for him to edit.  I should have attached it to the draft with a paperclip because he didn't notice it, and I never saw it again.  There are so many trifling things I would do differently if I could transport myself into the past.  (Momentous Thought of the Day)

      Darrell visited us in Fort Lauderdale several times.  Ed took this photo in 1969.  The bosom, the earring, and the blond hair on his left belonged to his second wife, Sandy, who decided she didn't like living on a boat and divorced him.
      I just love the cropping function.

DARRELL WITH BBM AND CROPPED WIFE