Waiting for that RSVP
(Warning: Restricted to readers with a high tolerance for bitter irony)
by
Jack Francis
Dear Deanna,
I guess you will be surprised to hear from me after all these years. I got your address from a mutual acquaintance, Beth Shore, who is a prominent travel agent now, as you know, since she visited with you in Paris recently.
We were reminiscing about growing up and school and the old neighborhood, and your name came up.
We recalled how you loved to sing and eat — simultaneously. You had a sweet voice and could really carry a tune even with black jelly bean lips. How you loved candy of all kinds, including your favorite, black jelly beans. You devoured them all as if sugar rationing were imminent. Remember how you got more overweight every year?
There were some mean neighbors who said that when Deanna ate, she purred like a cat, so they called you Fat Cat. I often wanted to tell them not to say that, but never did object, did I? Anyway, you liked cats.
Remember the time you slipped on the ice and a couple of kids sat on you while a couple more pulled you around like a sled? I was going to help you up, but didn't. It seemed like you might be having fun.
Then there was the time you played Mrs. Claus in the Christmas concert, and split the seat out of your red snow suit. There was a roar of laughter in the crowded gym. I thought what if I jumped up and yelled at everybody and shamed them into silence...but I didn't. Actually, some people said it was the best part of the show. You did get a lot of applause. I think some of it was for your singing.
And all those fat jokes, all those years. I should have discouraged them. But didn't ever, that I can recall. Well, Deanna, they did make you kind of popular, in a way, n'est pas, cherie? Not in a way that got you a date for your graduation dance though, and I did think maybe I should take you. But it didn't happen. You were getting ready to move anyway. We heard it was to California, but none of us believed that.
Imagine our surprise when those Hollywood musicals came to our theatre with you in the starring role. There you were, singing your heart out and looking beautiful, and a big movie star!
Beth told me that you are living in Paris now and, as it happens, our water color class is planning a trip to France in the early spring. We will have a few free days in la belle Paree, so I thought you might like to get together and talk over old times. RSVP ASAP.
Sincerely yours,
