Day Five
Bronte
Dear Ellis,
I’m sorry to learn of the death of your girlfriend. I can only imagine how gut-wrenching it must have been to get that news. There’s not much I can say, really, is there? I always wonder what to say when I see posts on Facebook about the death of loved ones. I always say how sorry I am while realizing just how inadequate those words are for the grieving.
I would love to go on a date with you. Do you think we’ll ever be released from our homes? Right now it feels like this will go on forever. I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s hard. I miss my students and the comfort of routine. I still wake at 5:30 every morning, even without the alarm being set. My body doesn’t know that we’re in isolation.
As far as where I’d like to go on a date…let me see…a walk on Alki beach sounds nice. That is, if it’s not too cold and windy. I’m a fair weather walker, I’m afraid. My favorite eating out type of place is definitely sushi. Whenever I eat out, I like to pick something that I can’t make at home. There’s a sushi place downtown Seattle that has the most wonderful fish. It’s very expensive, though, so I’ve only one a couple of times. I was planning on going there for my birthday dinner next week. My mom sold one of her paintings last month and put the money aside so she could take me to dinner there. I guess that, like so many events, will have to wait.
Thank you for your offer to pick items up at the grocery for us. We have everything we need at the moment. Two women living together don’t require much. Since the cancer, my mother doesn’t eat much. I try and make tempting meals for her but her appetite just isn’t there. I’m going to make a chocolate cake for her today. She loves cake.
The grey weather does get me down, especially now. I hope we’ll have a few nice days soon. Maybe we could take a walk together, making sure to keep six feet apart? But then, how would we communicate? Do you have advice for any online courses to learn sign language? Can you read lips?
You won’t believe it, but my mother and your neighbor have been emailing. Last night, I heard her giggling and looked over to see her reading her email. Mr. Clancy Smith is quite the charmer if the blush on Mom’s cheeks were any indicator. I do hope he’ll stay safe. I don’t even want to know what he wrote that made her blush!
My little students have been sending me email messages (via their mothers). They mostly say how much they miss me and school and their friends. One little boy named Stevie wrote to me this morning. He’s a rascal. One of those boys who cannot sit still. I adore him. He just has so much energy. He’s the type of child who needs five recesses instead of only two. I suspect he’ll grow up to be an amazing athlete.
Here is a copy and paste of what he wrote:
Dear Ms. West,
I didn’t know I liked school until we can’t go anymore. If we ever get to come back, I promise to be a better boy and not wriggle so much. My mom said today that she didn’t know how you do it with twenty kids. She can barely keep up with one. I heard her ask Daddy to get extra wine when he went to the store. I miss you. Love, Stevie
P.S. My mom is typing this because I don’t know how.
I chuckled over the wine part. It’s hard for parents right now. Some of them are working from home and trying to help their children with school. I wish I could give them all a hug.
I have to go now and get that cake in the oven. What’s your favorite cake? Mine is carrot cake. I think it’s the cream cheese frosting that does it for me.
Stay safe. Write soon.
Bronte
P.S. If you’d ever like to message back and forth, let me know. It might be fun.
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