Letters From The Heart
Part 4
By Missy and Old Time Fan
Fourth Part By: Missy
It was no warmer in Milwaukee than it had been a week ago. In fact it was colder. But Lenny still sat on the stoop that Saturday, waiting for Mr. Rossini.
At two in the afternoon, Shirley found him there, chattering, still waiting for the mailman. She had been horrified, and force-fed him chicken soup until all he tasted was salt. When Mr. Rossini showed up at four with a nearly blue nose she set about mothering him, too. She seemed to notice the letter the mailman had passed him, but was to pre-occupied by the postcard Laverne had sent her to make comment on it.
He fled for his own apartment, locking the door.
This time he poured over her letter, savoring every single word. His heart leapt as she admitted that she didn't want him to see anyone else. And yet he could feel her hesitancy.
It was too cold to even think about writing without a layer of blankets covering him, so he curled up in his bunk bed and got a fresh piece of paper, beginning:
Vernie,
I hope it's nice and hot where you are; we're freezing our tails off up here. I heard about more snow coming tonight, and at this rate there's gonna be a whole bunch by the time you get home.
I keep thinking about your folks; did you tell anyone about us? (us; ooh, I like us). I guess I'm kinda wondering about what they'd think of me. I think I kinda...I want them to like me. I know your pop at least sorta likes me. When you get home, I'm gonna take you to meet Anya; you ain't seen her since she was sixteen, remember, at my birthday party? (my pop says there's still a real big stain on the floor from where you knocked me in the punch).
You ain't a jerk; yer beautiful and wonderful and sweet (yeah, there I go again)! So there! You're right, tho; it's enough, having a pop and a great sis. I love them. And I guess I oughta be more grateful to have them.
Oh, my back's doing better, though I kinda worked two more double-shifts this week. I guess the road keeps me thinking, kinda like being away from here's gonna help you think.
Hey, I can think. Who knew?
Anyway, I still ain't told Squig; I think Shirl's starting to see something, but I don't know; she's real busy thinking about Carmine.
Eww! Marie ain't my type, Vernie; she's mean. She even told Squig he's got beady eyes. But he still likes her, though. I've been trying to keep the little guy away from her all week. Ya know what that meant? Yeah; we ended up spending more time with Shirl.
I think that's doing the trick with her and Carmine; it's making him scary jealous. He came up to Squig last night at the Pizza Bowl and told him to stop seeing Shirl. Squig didn't even know he was SEEING Shirl, Vernie. But Shirl told Carmine it was none of his problem as long as he's seein' that floozy.
He paused. Floozy? Floosy?
Anyway, I stayed late at the Pizza Bowl last night; Carmine asked me to play with him, which was weird. I think Johnny was busy last night. Anyway, he said that if Bobby Darin can sing with a guitar behind him, so can he.
Where was I goin'? Oh yeah; when I came back home, Squig wasn't there, so I went down to your place. And...I think I want you to close your eyes when you read this, Vernie. It might make you scream.
Eyes closed?
I saw Shirl and Squig making out. On the couch.
Well, I watched them for a minute, and then Shirl started screaming and kicked us both out. I'm really worried about the both of them, cause, after talking to Carmine last night, I know he still loves Shirl a whole lot. Someone's gonna get hurt.
You know what? All of that stuff between them, it makes me wanna tell you that I don't ever wanna do what Shirl and Carmine are doing to each other. Ever. I don't wanna fool around and I don't wanna hurt you and I don't wanna see another girl, ever.
I do get scared, tho. Cause you're over in Italy, seeing all of those Italian guys with nice hair and pretty teeth and good faces and stuff. I ain't really no Adonis, Vernie. I guess I ain't good at thinking things are gonna be OK. I'm always scared.
Don't let me get all stringy on ya there! Sorry!
Vernie, it ain't any easier for me. I think about ya all of the time. Always. But I felt like this for years; ever since I was a kid, from the first day I saw you. I hope that don't make me sound all crazy or something, but I guess it was a sorta "love at first site" thing.
OK, ya want me to be honest? I like strings. I love strings.
I love you.
He stared in disbelief at his own hand.
I said it. I don't believe I said it.
But I do. I'm all for you, Vernie, all yours. I love you and I want to be an 'us' too!
Now I hope I didn't scare you, neither! Write me back before you get on the plane.
I promise I'll be there.
Love,
Lenny
He smiled, on completion of the letter, then ran over and added another red circle to his wall.
The trek to the mailbox remained frigid, but more than worth the length and chill of the journey. Even if his toes fell off, it was worth it. She had to understand that she loved him.
He only hoped that he hadn't scared her completely.
.
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