Sunday, November 23, 2003

Kathy to Hilary, July 25, 1973, Tehran, Iran July 25 So Johnny has left and here I am with my suitcase and bare walls and a pain in the ass where I sat on a nail clipper. Johnny and I spent the last two days together almost constantly. One thing I’ve learned in this past year and a quarter, and especially this summer, is that time passes much too quickly with people you love. I didn’t cry too much and I said “see you” as I stepped out of his car for the last time like I thought it would be the next day that I’d see him. I’ve been brave and busy and have even done some sightseeing--I went to see the Pahlavi crown jewels, which I never did manage to visit before! You’d have enjoyed them--and we’ll have to say hi to the Hope diamond while I’m in DC. I can’t wait to see you and Peoples and Giant and the Smithsonian and Lorcum Lane and Fillmore and 24th street and 23rd road, and the trees that shade the road where we used to pop tar bubbles in the summer and where we walked on quiet snowy mornings. Inshallah you shall see me less than 10 days from today! Love, Kathy 5:19:52 AM    comment []

That's all! Thanks for checking in. Bye! Khodahafez...ba man o khoda! 5:18:30 AM    comment []

	Saturday, November 22, 2003

Kathy to Hilary, July 17, 1973, Tehran, Iran Here is our itinerary, if you are interested. August 1: We leave Teheran and presumably arrive in Rome. I’m making a few last-minute efforts to learn Italian. We’re moving out of the house on the 27th of July. Johnny is leaving on the 25th and if he calls, don’t be too surprised—I told him to in case he happened to be in Washington the same time I am—you don’t mind too much, do you? August 6: We leave Rome at 10 a.m. and arrive in New York at 2 p.m. NY time and I leave for Washington about 4. Hopefully getting through customs and not being stacked up too long at JFK. Not much of an itinerary, I guess. Hopefully I’ll be so busy I won’t have time to mope. I don’t think you’ll have any problem recognizing me—I look the same as always, but I’ve gotten some new glasses. I look ok in them if my hair’s clean, and they won’t be much of a disguise. If you don’t recognize me, I’ll be the only girl carrying a samovar! I guess I shouldn’t bore you with a letter now when you shall soon be lucky enough to be bored by me in person. I have been commanded to visit the panda bears and the Smithsonian. You can have me until the 19th of August if you want to keep me that long. However, should you wish to relinquish me you can put me on the plane to Dallas anytime you like. I’ve got a letter from a relative in Texas, and she says there’s been a Shelley exhibit in a library in Austin since 1935, so that should provide a little solace for my loneliness. Austin is only 70 miles from Killeen, so maybe I’ll learn to drive and trot over there some Saturday. One last photo at the Tehran house 4:57:16 AM    comment []

	Friday, November 21, 2003

Kathy to Hilary, July 17, 1973, Tehran, Iran Dear Hilary, I thought that after writing my excited little letter that I ought to write at greater length, but I have been so excited and nervous and irritable and everything imaginable that I haven’t had a chance to until now. I have the strangest mixture of emotions in me—my love for change, my regret at not knowing Iran better, excitement at the prospect of seeing my old home, etc., but I think the all-conquering feeling underneath it all is great sorrow. Johnny’s off for school in Paris and I’m off for the States and it will be hard to be apart at first. I’m already upset at the prospect. But one always hopes. I know all this smacks of Terry G. and her diamond engagement ring in the 8th grade sort of thing (whatever happened to her, do you know?). If I say anything about how I feel about Johnny, it’ll just sound corny, you know? So enough of that. We’ve been selling all the furniture, refrigerators, the stove, washing machine, and TV and the house looks so bare. It’s exciting! (How many times have I used that word this letter?) And you know I could care less about furniture. I’m short of money (chronic complaint) and am selling my records—hopefully someone will want to pay me good money for such vintage discs as the Monkees and Paul Revere and the Raiders. I believe I must have the only copy of Their Satanic Majesties Request with the 3-D cover and think I can get a lot for it. The Beatle records are in great demand—no one has all the old ones. Has it been TEN YEARS since we played “Bow-Wow I want to hold your hand?” Okay, nine. And seven years since we saw the Beatles! Now you’re an old college girl and career woman, and god knows what I am. I’m hungry, to tell the truth. Ravenously hungry and no matter how much I eat I’m still hungry. Chinese Food Syndrome? Not here! My real problem is dieting. Everyone is determined to starve me so that I can eat pasta to my hearts content in Italy and all the MacDonalds hamburgers and Reese Peanut Butter Cups I crave in the U.S. (Finally!) Mom is haranguing the maid and continually bitches at us on the subject of how WE’LL have to work when we get back to the States. Naturally it won’t be HER. She’s compulsively turning the swamp cooler down and I’ve nearly died of pneumonia. She comes into my room to look in the mirror every ten minutes now that her mirror has been sold. And in Rome she’ll be up at 2 a. m. to apply her make-up. I refuse to stay in the same room as her. Enough of complaining about my mother. My anthropology class used to consist solely of Leslie and me complaining about our mothers. peculiarly pacifist postmark 4:55:14 AM    comment []

	Thursday, November 20, 2003

Hilary to Kathy, July 12, 1973, Arlington, VA July 12, 1973 Dear Kathy, I am so thrilled that YOU’RE thrilled that I hardly know what to do! I’m already thinking of things for us to do. I had already put $100 in the bank in reserve so we can just use that to ENJOY OURSELVES! I think the timing will be perfect – I’ll work at David’s until the end of July – possibly for the 1st week of August until the day you come. Then I don’t have to go to school until Sept. 1 – My parents are pleased, so the word is definitely COME COME! Meanwhile, Tina G. has just moved to San Francisco, Shauna leaves for San Diego in 2 weeks, Patty is working in New York – I will be totally friendless if you don’t come! I can’t believe you still have our phone number – so I’ll write it down to reassure myself – Area Code 703-***-****- if by some awful chance no one is here & you’re stuck for time call the “cousin B’s” at ***-**** & my Aunt Esther will relay all info. to us. I can’t THINK of any Iranian goods that I want – But if you have anything you’ve been looking forward to getting write me & it will be waiting for you – (Your room here will come supplied w/Reeses Peanut Cups, any other Taste Delight?) This is definitely exciting! Write me! Love, Hilary We can ENJOY OURSELVES! 5:06:34 AM    comment []

	Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Kathy to Hilary, July 9, 1973, Tehran, Iran July 9 Dear Hilary, I must write quickly to get this off before Dad goes to work so he can put it in the mail. My parents liked your idea—and, they said that not only would it not cost $225 or $100 but only $15—while we are in New York I can transfer my ticket to Washington and then go on to Dallas from there later. You don’t need to pay anything (just feed me, which is ENOUGH). I think it’s a FANTASTIC idea. (Forgive the hyper-exuberance—this is being written at 200 mph). So, we get to Rome on the 2nd of August--and so on the 6th of August have someone in the house to answer my call (xxx-xxxx, right?). School doesn’t start in Killeen until 27 August. So, if you want me, write me. I’m more excited about seeing you than the trip to Rome! I think I’ve told you all the necessary details. Write soon and tell me what you think (any last-minute requests for Iranian goods? Unfortunately, I only have enough funds to buy two pieces of OK chewing gum, so I guess you’d have to send money if you really wanted anything.) (Also, if your mother wants a Russian samovar have her send $30. Bon?) Love, Kathy See you soon, Inshallah! 5:35:09 AM    comment []

	Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Hilary to Kathy, late June 1973, Arlington, VA Ah, Summer in Arlington. Hot, humid & delightful. I haven’t had much time to notice the weather really. I guess it will be the same in Williamsburg. By the way – I KNOW I’ve mentioned one Peter. T – he wanted to go to U.VA. but was turned down and is now going to William & Mary. He is a good tennis player – if he’d play w/me I’d speak to him. I really don’t like him because he’s so neurotic. He was supposed to be crazy about me but never did anything about it. Anytime I talk to him he freaks out. Graduation Night he was BOMBED & we got along very well – he’s intelligent and fairly normal except that he can’t talk to females unless he’s BOMBED!! Which annoys me. However, as I said, he’ll be at old Bill & Mary too, so if he ever grows up I may enjoy his presence. I have gotten so used to not reading this year that I haven’t read anything in EONS. To explain, because I had 4 Advanced Placement Courses, I must have been assigned at least 10 books a month to read. Because I never had time to read them I became adept at NOT reading them & still being able to discuss them in class. NOW I can’t read anything but I’m a great Bullshitter. Graduation was no thrill – but the idea of never having to go back to W-L is. I’m glad you were spared the experience. By the end of the year I really LOATHED having to go there. I simply could not have withstood another year!! I really don’t know what I want to study. I used to think it was languages but I gave that up. I guess it doesn’t matter for a while. They don’t require a decision until the end of your 2nd year. I can wait. Well, rather than bore you with even lesser Trivia – I’ll end here – I did however, eat dinner at one interval while I was writing this letter & I mentioned my idea about your coming here to my parents. They seemed quite approving. They thought August was a ripe old time if you could make it. So do I. My mother even suggested that since you’ll probably re-enter the country through New York or Washington you could just come here before going to Texas and that would save ½ of your plane fare & my offer of $100 or however much is still good. SO TALK IT OVER< OK? Write soon, Love, Hil 5:40:33 AM    comment []

	Monday, November 17, 2003

Hilary to Kathy, late June 1973, Arlington, VA I wonder if my last letter had anything about the Mickey & Bernie Affair. ( I always have some stupid item to relate) Did I ask you if you remembered the Boys Gym Teacher in 8th grade – the good looking blond named, yes! Mr. Swain (You can look him up in the yearbook). All the girls loved him but he was a shithead & they called him Bastard Bernie… Enough ANCIENT History – Anyway – I probably have told you that we saw him & his friend Mickey playing tennis after school everyday beginning in late April (We were playing too!) & by May we started playing doubles with them. A week before school was out they told us they were going to Florida for a month & they’d write. We were mad because we’d become very chummy – having picnics on the grass after playing a game – We had hoped that MAYBE the acquaintance could continue thru the summer. I guess I’ve left out that Mickey is ONLY 23 (He’s my partner) & dark w/ a mustache & much cuter than Bernard. Mick’s a gym teacher too (well….) he taught at Kenmore this year. Next year, or September really, he begins work on his masters degree w/a fellowship at G.W. – where, incidentally, Bernie teaches (he’s moved up in the world) and is basketball coach & asst. baseball coach. Now Bernie is 28…w/wrinkles even… but he’s Shauna’s partner and she tries not to notice. Back to Mick – He lives at home (we have to make allowances for the cute ones) w/his Parents in New Dover – just a block from my good friend Nancy B. – they are old family friends and she can attest to Mick’s good character. Anyway, none of this matters until Mickey & Bernie return from their vacation, in we, hope, just one week, and we find out whether or not they even remember our names. We did exchange cards w/them this month as planned. We may find out whether or not we remain ONLY tennis partners in THEIR minds. For Shauna’s sake let’s hope so on account of Bernie’s being SO OLD. But I think Mick has a few good years left. Anyway, Shauna’s moving to San Diego at the end of July. So I guess that leaves little time for trouble to brew. As always – I’ll keep you posted. We make allowances for the cute ones 5:57:33 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2003 Kathy Talley-Jones. Last update: 11/23/2003; 5:19:53 AM.