Thanks, Kristalrose and Babe. I haven't had much time in the past day or so to find out what all the Sparrows are up to. I'm anxious. It's so time consuming to visit all these households -- Sheila Mae and Griffin's house on campus, Emmeline's dorm, Dalila's home in Baltimore, and, of course, Elizabeth and that guy she ran off with--Phinneas Furley? The last time I visited the campus I got all caught up in what was going on between Sheila and Marcel. But I have more pictures and goings on to post this weekend. :shocked: Yikes, I'm at work and had better get back to it.
Emmeline receives an envelope. There's a picture inside and the following scribbled on the back-- Uncle Drake and Mom are bad people. I'm going over to Leila's house to stay!
A telephone call from the campus of Le Tour to a house in Baltimore: "Uncle Drake, is that you?" "Who's this? Sheila?" "No, Uncle Drake, it's Emmeline." "Emmeline! How are you, Emmy? You haven't written or called in a whole week. How are your classes? Studies going well? Getting along with your teachers? Got a boyfriend yet?" chuckling "Where's Dalila, Uncle Drake?" "In school, I expect." "It's 6 o'clock, Uncle Drake. Where is she?" "6 o'clock already? My, my, where does the time go? She must be with her friend Leila. Do you want to talk to her. I'll let her know to call you when she gets home for dinner." "I don't think she's coming home for dinner, Uncle Drake. I think she's run away." "She's always home for dinner. She's a good girl. Doesn't worry her mother. Always calls." "When did you last see her? "Uh...umm...this morning, I think. No, maybe not. I slept late...haven't been feeling 100% but that's not for anyone to worry about..just the usual foolishness that comes with old age." "She sent me a picture, Uncle Drake." "Oh, my sweet Dalila. She's always taking pictures. I think she has a gift." "It's a picture of you and Mom...on Mom's bed. I think it would be a good idea if you found an apartment of your own...away from Mom and Dad." silence "Uncle Drake...Uncle Drake? I'm concerned about Dalila. I suggest you tell Dad that she might be over at Leila's house and that he should not worry. She'll be fine there for a couple of days. I'm going over there tomorrow. Uncle Drake? Are you listening?" "Bye, Emmy."
email to: DalilaSparrow@*****.*** from: EmmelineSparrow@*****.*** Hi, Sis. I'm coming back to town, tomorrow. I'll meet you for lunch at Gary's Grill. We haven't been there for awhile. Has it changed any? Still greasy? Just you and me, OK? Leila can do without your company for a couple of hours. I've been talking to Sheila and Griffin about Mom and her mother Dagmar. Your grandmother Dagmar was quite a character. Anway, lunch for sure. Noon. See you then, kid. Emmy
Whoa--I'm back in General Discussion! But the story is getting to be entirely too depressing. Uncle Drake used to fun and now he's a cad. Dalila is moping around her friend's house and can't go to college. Yuck. Where's Elizabeth? Maybe she can lighten things up.
OK, friend Babe. I say, do it! Did you see Kristalrose' new thread that reads like newpaper articles? Truly neat stuff. Anyway, I'm not going to abandon my Sparrows yet... Meanwhile, back in Baltimore's Le Tour University campus, a letter arrives for Emmeline. Dear Emmy, Oh, it was SO great to see you and have lunch downtown. And I actually BEAT you at darts. Gary, the greaseman himself, sent me this picture someone snapped of us. He also sent another picture from the day Dad and I went down to the grill for a hamburger. Dad and I had a good time, too. I think he knew everyone in the grill since he's been a regular for so many years. I've also tossed in a picture of you that you might want to give to Alon, now that you and he are engaged. He should have a picture of you to carry around with him everywhere. I know you said that Alon wants a small wedding with just family but I think a wedding in the church downtown would be awesome. And Sheila's engaged, too! To Marcel! It's hard to imagine, Emmy, that there are two guys out there that I hardly know who are going to be members of my family for years to come. Thanks for telling me all about Grandma Dagmar. I've never even seen a picture of her. I agree with you that the family should have forgiven her for kissing the cleaning man, if that's all she did. And if Grandpa Wynter spent days and nights working in his labs, I can kind of see how she just might be trying to make him jealous so he'd spend time with her. It was still a stupid thing to do, but poor Grandma Dagmar. And her tombstone disappeared? So weird. I know you believe Mom was kissing Uncle Drake to make Dad jealous and maybe you're right. But I've been watching Mom since Uncle Drake moved out of our house and in with Cleve and Meadow Cox. She certainly acts like she loves Dad as much as always, flirting and giggling and smooching like a teenager, but I also found her lying on Uncle Drake's bed, just staring into space, looking sad. Is it possible, Emmy, for a woman to love two men at the same time? Could it happen to us? Love, Dalila
Dear Dalila, Loving someone comes easy but it doesn't stay easy. When you find the right guy, work at loving him and look no further. You should not be worrying about this stuff yet anyway. Just have fun. Meet people. Be friends first. I'm enclosing a picture of Sheila and the love of her life, Marcel. Also, here's a copy of one of my favorite pictures of you, just being happy, which is nice to see. I hear you got into private school. Way to go, girl! And a part time job? I wasn't clear from what Mom said, when she telephoned, what that job was all about. Write and let me know. Meanwhile, studies here move tediously forward. I'll be a senior, soon. Love, Emmy
Dear Emmy, Remember that creepy little house across the street, the one that's been empty for several years, since old Mr. Murphy died? Someone has bought it. Dad went over and introduced himself. He thinks the people are quite nice. Their names are Candida and Mercedes Menendez. Candida is the daughter of Mercedes. Dad invited them over for supper last night but only Candida accepted the invitation. Emmy, I didn't like her. She seemed too interested in Dad. They got in the hot tub together while Mom was talking to Griffin on the phone. I think I've seen Candida's mother from a distance, looking out a window of their house. She looks like a witch! Long stringy white hair, a black dress and a nasty expression on her face! I wish Dad weren't such a friendly, outgoing guy. I think he's too trusting. Mom says not to worry. They're just people like anyone else. We'll see. Love, Dalila
Dear Emmy, I snuck this picture. It's kind of dark like the other one but that woman is always looking out the window and across the street at our house. Miss you, Dalila
Dear Emmy, Dad disappeared for a few days! I told Mom to call the police and the hospitals but she wouldn't. She said she suspected she knew where he was anyway, and that I shouldn't worry. Now's he back, thank goodness, but he seems so tired and worn out. You know, Emmy, he's 77. That is so OLD, Emmy. Mom hugged and kissed him and made him dinner and sent him straight to bed. He stayed home from work the next day, just resting, watching TV and creeking stiffly around the house. I saw our neighbor, Candida, when I was out playing with my camera this morning. I caught her by surprise and snapped a picture. She didn't like that. She yelled at me. But guess what? She's pregnant! Mom saw the picture, called Candida and went over to see how she was doing (so she said.) When she came back, I asked her what Candida's scary mother is like and she just shurgged and said she was very chatty. When I asked her who is the father of Candida's baby, Mom's face started getting red and she left the room. I guess she finds such blunt talk from me embarressing. Emmy, I haven't heard from you in a little while. Whats up? Call me or something. When I call over there you're never home, always at the library or coffee shop or something. Get a cell phone, will ya? Love, Dalila P.S. The picture of the house is the one where Uncle Drake is staying. That's Cleve Cox and his bride, Meadow, in front.
Dear Dalila, I'm dropping you this quick note from somewhere way up north. I took the month between semesters to hunt down Mom's sister, Elizabeth. Alison Hogan (Uncle Drake's daughter, if you remember) said she had a telephone call out of the blue, from Elizabeth, just asking how the family was doing. She didn't talk long--bad connection--but said something about the farm doing well and they were comfortable, getting by. Anyway, I've got Alon with me and we're trekking around through a couple of the small towns, looking for her. I'll let you know as soon as I find her. Love, Emmy.
