The Letter - Chapter 47

“So how was your telephone conversation with George?” asked Beverly.  It was Monday morning and she had invited me to meet for coffee at our favorite local coffee shop.

“Well, it was nice to finally connect with him,” I said as I sipped my caramel latte.  “He was nice, but

apparently he’s going through a bit of a family crisis right now.”  I explained what George had told me about his ex-wife taking their daughter.

“My goodness! Taking the law into her own hands.”  Beverly leaned forward with a look of disgust.  “Sounds like the ex is every bit as charming as advertised.  And according to that nastygram you received, he’s still very much in love with her.”

“George was surprised to hear about that letter.  He suspects that his ex somehow found out about me and sent it.”

“Hmmph.  Wouldn’t need Sherlock Holmes to figure out that mystery.  I figured as much, though I had no way to prove it.”

“I sent the letter to George.  I thought it might be helpful to him in getting his daughter back.  Do you think that was a good idea?”

“I think a cheese Danish is a good idea.  Your sending that letter to George was a great idea.  I’ll bet it will come in handy one way or another.  And speaking of cheese Danish, excuse me for a minute while I go back to get one.  Can I get you anything while I’m up, Ellie?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m betting you still have a few weeks before you’ll need to squeeze into a wedding gown.  A bear claw?”

“You’re terrible,” I laughed.  “A blueberry scone then.”

“Thank you.  Be right back.”  Beverly purchased the pastries and returned to our table.

“George says his ex’s husband is running for Congress.”  I took a bite of my scone.

“Kidnapping will garner him some votes.”

“Right.  I wonder how he’s going to explain that when it comes to the attention of the voting public.  I actually went on his website.  He’s pro-gun, anti-choice, a climate change denier, and says gay marriage is against God’s law and should be against ours as well.”

“A moderate Republican then?”  Beverly gave me a wry smile then took a bite of her cheese Danish.

“Actually, the current Congressman is a moderate Republican.  This guy is trying to outflank him on the far right in the Republican primary.”  

“How did it come to this, Ellie?  I mean we both came of age in the sixties – me a little earlier than you, but we were so idealistic.  Our generation was going to change the world.  We were going to reject the materialism of our parents, save the environment, eliminate racism, end war.  It was going to be peace, love and everyone living together in some kind of perfect harmony.  The dawning of the Age of Aquarius.  What happened, Ellie?”

“I wish I knew.  Too many of our generation traded their love beads for Rolex watches.  They got rid of their VW Microbuses and bought gas guzzling SUVs.  They voted for George W. Bush and Donald Trump.”

“I can’t believe it when I think about it sometime.  Bush and Trump are both from our generation.  Instead of taking the country forward, they’ve tried to take the country back to some ideal time that never really existed except in the minds of the super-rich.  Like the ayatollahs that wanted to take their country back to the 14^th century, these guys want to eliminate the modern social safety net constructed last century so the rich can keep more of their money and the poor can go back to a sort of Dickensian existence.”

“What did Ebenezer Scrooge say?  Are there no prisons?  Are there no workhouses?”

“Exactly.  Well, Ellie, this has gotten to be an extremely depressing conversation.”

“Well, look on the bright side, Beverly.  Some things have gotten better in this country.”

“Yes, but so much more progress could be made.  President Obama got healthcare passed, but the Republicans have been trying to take it away ever since.  Why?  How can anyone feel society would be better off if more people were sick.”

“Perhaps they should just die and decrease the surplus population.”

“I knew I shouldn’t have taken you to see Dickens’ Christmas Carol,” said Beverly.  Anyway, your George’s issue is gun control.  I hope he can convince a few people to do something.  Perhaps he should run against that nutty husband of his ex.”

“I think he lives in a different Congressional District.”

“Then he should run for whatever District he’s in.  You two would love living in the Nation’s capital.”

“No thank you.  Anyway, I don’t think he’s interested in entering politics.  He’s hoping to persuade through the power of the pen.”  I finished my coffee.  Are you going to have another cup, Beverly?”

“No, I’ve got some errands to run.”  She finished her coffee and put on her coat. 

I stood up to say goodbye.  “Well, I’m still trying to finish Gilead.  Thought I’d do it yesterday, but I got distracted with George’s problems.  I think I’ll buy myself another cup of coffee and read here for a while.  My book is in my purse.”

“Sounds good, Ellie.  I enjoyed trying to solve our country’s political problems with you here, but now I’ve got some more important things to do like pick up my dry-cleaning and buy a chicken for dinner.”  She gave me a hug and walked out the door.  I pulled the book from my purse and set it on the table and walked to the counter to order another latte.