The Knight
By Shotzette




My Dearest Carmine,

I don't even have the words to thank you for all you have done for Vernie and me. I was so grateful that you were able to fly in and be there for us when we lost Walter. I knew that you made a sacrifice, but I didn't realize until you had left that you had given up the lead role in your show to be here. I am so touched, but so sorry that you lost such a wonderful opportunity.

Vernie and I are coping as well as can be expected. I think it's just now starting to sink in for her that her Daddy is really gone. She's been such a wonderful girl, pitching in and trying to take care of me, but it's finally catching up with her. Thank you so much for videotaping her choir performance so Walter and I could watch it! It broke his heart not being able to see his little girl sing, but watching the tape you made meant the world to him. At the time, I just thought his doctor's were being just heartless to not release him for the night to see Vernie perform, but I guess I didn't know-didn't want to know-how much his health had declined. I guess when all is done and said, part of me will always hum "High Hopes" and expect things to turn out okay.

Laverne flew back home on Tuesday, and she sends her love. I know that she felt guilty leaving us alone, but Lenny and Lisa had been on their own for two weeks and she was grumbling about how messy her house would be when she got home. Same old Laverne, she was grumbling, but the night before she left, I found her in the living room looking at the photo that she and Lenny had taken with us last Christmas and crying. I know how hard it is to look at that picture of Walter looking so healthy and normal, and not realizing how far his cancer had already spread. Last December, the biggest problem we had was worrying if we could squeeze another year out of the station wagon instead of setting that money aside for Vernie's college fund. It's amazing how things can change in eight months...

Laverne and Lenny have already invited us to come stay with them over Thanksgiving. I'm not a fan of traveling on the most traveled weekend of the year, but the thought of me and Vernie sitting here alone, carving a turkey and staring at Walter's empty chair is unbearable. I know you're probably too busy, but I know Laverne would love it if you could come too. Any excuse for her to kick Squiggy out of the room above their garage...

Thank you, Carmine. I don't know how I could have made it though the last few months without you. You've always been my knight on a white horse, and you always will be.

Yours always,

Angelface

FIN