TACTION
THE
SIS T ERHO O D
An old friend — even far away —
makes a good sounding board
D
EVELYN K. ROOHK
Special to The Jewish News
ear Josie,
Why am I writing you a let-
ter instead of phoning? Because
just once I would like to get a word in
edgewise. Lengthwise and likewise, too!
So maybe I'm a little jealous, Josie, that
you're enjoying all that Florida sunshine
while I'm sitting up here in Michigan. You
always were the lucky one.
Jealous, too, that you took Professor
Yanoffski's creative writing class and are
practically a famous author already with
two articles published.
To put my private thoughts down on
paper for the world to see — such a nerve
I haven't got. But to let them tumble out
of my head for the eyes of an old friend .. .
that even I can do. Mainly, it gives me a
chance to "talk" while you listen for a
change.
I'm just kidding, Josie. You are my best
friend who likes to talk a mile a minute,
and I'm a good listener, no? Most of the
time anyway. Sam says I'm easily influenc-
ed by you. What influence? I should only
learn to enjoy and live life like you do!
Josie, you've become a real liberated
woman, you should pardon the expression,
while I am still from Dullsville. You know
I married Sam when I was just a young
girl, and never had an outside job like you
did. Raising three kids, trying to make
Sam happy, and keeping peace among all
the in-laws — who had the time to be
liberated?
So you tell me the kids are grown now
and on their own and I should live a little.
It's not so easy to change the habits of a
lifetime, Josie. My son, the psychologist,
says I'm an introvert and you're an ex-
trovert. Who needs such fancy words? I'm
me and you're you and the world should
need us both.
Josie, you go to the supermarket and
it's an adventure. Who else would meet a
mysterious stranger among he cabbages
and then discover he's a dropout from
European royalty? Like the good parts of
a soap opera your life is!
Let's face it, we both are not getting
any younger but on you it still looks good.
In a couple of weeks I'll have another
birthday. I can't believe it. I'll be . . . but
you I don't have to tell. An old bag already
— but deep down inside in a secret little
part of me, I'm still that 18-year-old girl
and Myrna Loy to boot. You know what I
mean, Josie?
Josie, I've made a decision. Not even
Sam knows. I'm going to take painting
lessons. Me, an artist. Don't laugh. If I can
paint walls and furniture, why not a sim-
ple picture? They call it being creative.
Well, Sam helped me with all my other
creations; this will be done by yours truly.
Another thing. I'm taking your advice,
going to the beauty shop and letting them
tint my hair. I know, I know, I said wild
horses wouldn't drag me. Sam says he likes
me the way I am but you know when
you've been married as long as we have,
Josie, our husbands look but don't really
see. A little paint and varnish on the out-
side might make me braver on the inside.
Josie, I'm beginning to get cold feet
already but if I back down, you can show
me this letter. I just reread what I wrote.
What a lot of mish-mash but also the
truth. An Ernest Hummingbird I'm not,
but could he make a pot roast like mine?
Well, Josie, I got this off my chest and
will be waiting for your call as usual when
you get back. Sam says I save a lot of wear_
and tear on your Norman's ears. Ha! Ha!
Well, 'bye for now.
Your esteemed confidant,
(classy, huh?)
Love, Selma
Evelyn Roohk is a writer in San Juan
Capistrano, Calif
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
133