Copyright 1991 Aya Katz
FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE OF DAVID SMITH
Dear David,
Daddy's making me get a divorce. He says no way should I stay married to someone who's done me wrong. That makes sense, it's just that I have the feeling he doesn't give a hoot about what you've done to me, he's all worked up over what you've done to him. And what he thinks you've done to Jon. And what you've made Jon do to him.
He says everybody's plotting against him and that he can't trust anyone, least of all his own flesh and blood. Says the only one you haven't turned against him is Ashbel, and that's just because you haven't had the opportunity. He says that's why he sent him away to school. So you couldn't get at him. Everybody knows it's really because the brat is totally unmanageable.
He's already got a new husband all picked out for me: Paul T. Ellis, Jr., you know him, his daddy owns the Texaco station. Says if you'll sign the waiver, I could be divorced in two months, married in three. Said if he had the jurisdiction, he'd annul it himself right away. But since it's the District Court, that gives us some time.
I don't know why I helped you get away. I ought to have let them have you, lock you away, beat some sense into that thick hide of yours. Only Jon said they would have killed you. Daddy loves you, how could he do that? Jon says Abner would have done it. Then Daddy'd be real sorry. Why, he could never live it down if he had you killed. Jon says we were doing it just as much for Daddy's sake, to save him from himself.
Why didn't you take me with you?
It's so boring around here. Nothing going on. Daddy sulking. Jon went back to law school. I have to date that idiot grease monkey. He thinks I'm the cat's meow. Fawns all over me. Makes me sick.
Abner's been very annoying, too. Showed me this letter of Abby's that Pipa's been circulating. How could you do that to me?
Look, I wouldn't have minded your sleeping around. Hey, everybody does that. Even Daddy had that dish on the side, that Ritzi what's-her-name, while Momma was still alive. You know, I'm not stupid. I wouldn't have minded. But how could you do it with Abby? How could you let her write letters, for everybody to see?
I'm not a doormat, you know. And I'm not some kind of saint, like Jon. You don't mess with me, buster. You don't mess with Mickey.
You had your chance and you blew it. Next time we meet, I'll be Mrs. Paul T. Ellis.
XXXXXX --Your soon to be ex.