The Letter - Chapter 70 (Epilogue)

Two Months Later

Jennifer elbowed me in the ribs.

“Ow, that hurt,” I whispered.  I had mostly recovered from my gunshot wound, but there was still some residual soreness on my left side.

“Shhh.  Get ready.  This is his big number,” Jennifer whispered back.

The music started. Jeff, as Action, stood among his fellow Jets gang members and started to sing.

Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke,
You gotta understand,
It's just our bringin' up-ke
That gets us out of hand.
Our mothers all are junkies,
Our fathers all are drunks.
Golly Moses, natcherly we're punks! 

The number continued with Jeff and the other Jets dancing and singing up to the crescendo of the final chorus.

Gee, Officer Krupke,
We're down on our knees,
'Cause no one wants a fellow with a social disease.
Gee, Officer Krupke,
What are we to do?
Gee, Officer Krupke,
Krup you! 

The audience started to applaud wildly.  Jennifer stood up and continued to clap.  Liz on the one side of her and I on the other side pulled her back into her seat.

“You’ll have to save the standing ovation for the end of the show,” I whispered.

“He deserves it!  Why wait?”

I smiled and shook my head.  When the show was over, the audience did give the cast a standing ovation.  Of course, Jennifer jumped the gun and stood up as soon as Jeff came out for his curtain call.

In the lobby after the show, we met up with Jeff’s parents and told them how much we had enjoyed Jeff’s performance.  Cast members filtered out.  Jeff’s parents handed him a bouquet of flowers.

“Thanks for the rose,” Jeff said to Jennifer.

“What rose?” I asked.

“I sent a rose to Jeff’s dressing room – for luck.  Jeff, you were so good.”  She lowered her voice.  “Actually, you were better than the guy who played Tony.”

“Thanks, Jen.  But Tom’s got a great voice.  You can tell he’s had some professional training.”

“A good singer, yes.  But I thought his acting was a bit stiff.  You, on the other hand were a natural.”  Jennifer took hold of Jeff’s arm and gave it a squeeze.

“You were really good, Jeff,” added Liz.  “You wowed the audience in that Officer Krupke number.”

“Thank you, Liz.  You’re very kind.”

“I gave you a standing ovation after that number, but Liz and my Dad made me sit down.”

“There’s a time and place for everything, Jennifer,” I said, smiling.

“Hey, we’re going to Eat ‘N Park for coffee and dessert,” Bill Radakovich said.  “Would you guys care to join us?”

“Hot grilled stickies ala mode!  Say, yes, Dad.”

I looked at Liz who had come with us.  “Would that be okay with you, Liz?”

“Sure, Mr. Leskovic.  I’ll text my mother.  Hot stickies are my favorite too.”

“Okay, we’re in,” I said to Jeff’s father.  “Meet you there.”

At the restaurant, we chatted about the coming summer and college in the fall. 

“I’m really going to miss you guys,” Liz pouted.

“You should have applied to IUP like we did,” Jennifer said.  “West Chester is so far away.”

“I know,” said Liz.  But they have a good dance program, and I can minor in it, with an elementary education major.”  Liz sipped her coffee.  “At least Jen and I will be able to spend time together this summer at the Jersey Shore.”

I had given Jennifer permission to accompany Liz and her parents on their vacation to Sea Isle City, New Jersey. 

“And what about you, George? asked Marnie with a knowing smile.

“Dad is finally working on a novel.  He’s been sending chapters to his girlfriend in Seattle to edit,” said Jennifer.

“She’s just a friend, Jen.”

“Yeah, right,” Jennifer grinned.  “He’s planning to fly out to Seattle in September – when I’m out of the way at college – to  . . .” she made air quotes, “work on his novel.”

“Ellie has proven to be an excellent editor,” I felt myself blush.  “Besides, I’ve never seen that area of the country.  She’s offered to show me around.” 

“That sounds exciting,” said Marnie.  “How long do you plan to be there?”

“This is the most interesting part,” said Jennifer putting a bite of ice cream covered stickies into her mouth.

“Uh, that’s not been determined,” I said sheepishly.  “At least a few weeks.  Maybe longer.  It somewhat depends on my progress in finishing my novel.”

“We will not ask him where he’ll be staying for those few weeks, or maybe longer,” said Jennifer.

“What’s a fitting punishment for a daughter determined to embarrass her father?” I asked Bill and Marnie.  Everyone laughed.  I continued.  “But seriously, if not for a mysterious, lavender letter, and if not for some amazing detective work by my daughter . . .”

“And her able assistant,” Jennifer said pointing to Liz.

“And if not for the heroics of her boyfriend,” I added, noting as an aside, “It’s okay for a father to embarrass his daughter.  In fact, it’s an essential part of the job description.  Yes, if not for all that, who knows what path our lives would have taken?”

“So here’s to Aunt Ellie for coming up with her devious plan to bring us all together,” said Jeff raising his glass of cola.

“Here! Here!” The rest of us laughed, raising our glasses and clinking them together.

The End