The Letter - Chapter 53

I had finished supper and cleaned up the dishes.  I couldn’t stop thinking about George being interviewed for the local news, but I hadn’t yet mustered up the courage to call him.  I looked at the clock on the kitchen stove.  Five-thirty.  That means it’s 8:30 in Pittsburgh.  Well, Ellie, it’s do or die time.  Call George now or spend the evening with a book, a glass of wine and your television.  I picked up my phone and keyed in his number.  I paused for a moment and then hit the send button.

“Hello?”

“Hello, George.  It’s Ellie.”  I held my breath, wondering how he’d react to my calling him again.

“Hi, Ellie.  I thought it might be you, when I saw Issaquah, Washington come up on my caller ID.  I should save your number to my contacts list.  How are you?”

I relaxed a little.  “I’m fine, George.  I was just calling to compliment you on your interview.”

“You saw it?  Did they pick it up on a Seattle station?”

“No, I saw it on the WTAE website.  True confession.  I Googled your name to see what you’ve been up to.”  I shook my head.  Now I’m admitting to being an electronic stalker.  Ridiculous!

“That’s wild.  I can’t believe your search turned up that interview.”

“I enjoyed it very much, George.  You made very good points.”  A smile crept over my face.  Good.  It doesn’t sound like he wants to hang up on me.

“Well, I hope it was a good idea.  I think it put a big red bullseye on my back.”

“Really?”

“Yes.  I had a few negative emails after my article appeared in the newspaper, but that trickle has turned into a flood since the interview.  And I’ve actually gotten some hate mail through the U.S. Postal Service, so some of these crazies have figured out where I live.”

“That’s terrible.  Have you told the police?”  I stood up and began to pace around the kitchen.  I don’t like the sound of this at all.

“Not yet.  I’m hoping it calms down in the next day or so.  In the meantime, I’ve been asked to speak at a rally this weekend.  It’s supposed to be a five or ten minute speech.  The rally is outside the offices of Senator Romey.”

“That’s marvelous,” I said, while thinking, marvelous if you don’t mind a big crowd probably littered with gun nuts opposed to every word you say.

“Yeah, my fifteen minutes of fame.  I just found out about it this morning.  I’m not sure what to say.  I’m a writer.  I’m not much for public speaking.”

“Well, just write out what you want to say.  Then rehearse it to the point where you just about have it memorized.  Will you be able to read it?”

“The rally is in the evening.  I’m not sure what the set-up will be.  I’m assuming there will be some lighting, but I’m not going to count on it.  At least I have a few days to organize my thoughts.”

“Well, just think about what you hope to accomplish with this speech, George.”

“I guess I want to rally the troops, but maybe it’s also an opportunity to persuade the Senator to do something.”

“Romey is pretty conservative from what I’ve read.  Is there any hope?”

“In the past he’s been open to considering some expansion of background checks.  Beyond that, I don’t know.”

“So maybe expansion of background checks should be the focus of your speech.”

“Maybe you’re right, Ellie.  Thanks.  You’ve helped bring some clarity to what I might say.”

“Happy to oblige, George.”  I smiled at the phone. Good suggestion, Ellie old girl.  Score a point for me.  “By the way, George, any news on your daughter?”

“My lawyer is still trying to get her back.  I spoke to him yesterday, but nothing has changed yet.  Oh, I almost forgot.  Jennifer’s friends came by earlier this evening.  They think they can smuggle her phone in to her.  If they’re successful, at least I’ll be able to communicate with Jen – to know she’s okay.”

“That would be great.  I can’t believe your lawyer can’t do something more.”

“I’ll check in with him tomorrow morning.  Maybe by then I’ll hear something from Jennifer.”

“Oh, I just thought of something George.  Remember that nasty letter I told you about in our last phone call?  I sent it to you.  I’m not sure why I sent it other than I figured you might want to see what someone put out there under your name.  I probably should have just thrown it away.  No need to upset you, but it’s too late now.  You should receive it tomorrow or the next day.”

“That’s okay.  I do kind of want to see it.  If I can link it to my ex, maybe it will help me in this custody fight.”

“Well, you have a good evening, George.  And be careful.”

“Yeah, I will.  Thanks for calling Ellie.  It was nice talking with you.  Bye for now.”  He ended the call.

I did a little dance.  That went about as well as it could.  Calm down, Ellie.  My goodness.  Act your age!  I smiled.  I am.  I am!