Between Friends. Debbie Macomber
compare. I wish I’d paid more attention when you were cooking.
Momma, I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid you’d be upset with our news. I’m pregnant again and due to deliver anytime now. I thought Mike and I had a complete family. Four children in six years have worn me out, but God had other plans.
If we have a baby girl, we’re going to call her Lily. I don’t have a boy’s name picked out yet. Mike said he didn’t care what I named the baby. Since Mike, Jr. was born, he told me I could call the babies anything I wish. I know Daddy was pleased when I named our Joe after him.
You asked about Mike’s drinking. He does like his beer, but he doesn’t get drunk as often since he returned to work. Don’t worry, Momma, we’re all fine.
Your daughter,
Dorothy
1959
Pine Ridge Herald
May 2, 1959
Lesley Adamski
Wins Fifth Grade Spelling Bee
Lesley Adamski took top prize at the tenth Annual Spelling Bee sponsored by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She successfully spelled the word serum, besting runner-up Jillian Lawton, daughter of Judge and Mrs. Leonard Lawton.
As the first-place winner, Lesley Adamski was awarded a Fifty Dollar U.S. Savings Bond. Jillian Lawton received a Twenty-Five Dollar U.S. Savings Bond.
The money raised by the Annual Spelling Bee has been donated to the March of Dimes for polio research.
Six fifth-grade classes competed in the Annual Spelling Bee from schools all across the county.
Lesley’s Diary
May 3, 1959
I won! Jillian and I practiced and practiced, and I was sure she’d win, but I did. Jillian was happy for me. I would’ve been happy if she won, too. My mom took the $50.00 savings bond and put it in a safe place. Mom and Susan, Mikey, Joe and baby Lily were at the spelling bee to see me win. Dad was with his friends, but that’s all right. Afterward, Mom said she was proud of me and took us all to the Dairy Queen for hot fudge sundaes. She invited the Lawtons, and Judge Lawton insisted on paying for all the ice cream we could eat. I’m so excited I can’t sleep.
Mrs. Leonard Lawton
2330 Country Club Lane Pine Ridge, Washington 98005
June 23, 1959
Dearest Aunt Jillian and Uncle Frank,
Leonard and I are overwhelmed by your generosity to Jillian. We received the paperwork regarding the $25,000 trust fund you’ve set up for her college education, and it took our breath away. We don’t know what to say other than to thank you both from the bottom of our hearts.
I’m so sorry to hear you won’t be able to join us in Hawaii this August. Uncle Frank, take good care of yourself!
We love you both, and although Jillian is too young to fully comprehend the significance of this trust fund, Leonard and I certainly do.
All our love,
Leonard, Barbara and Jillian
Jillian Lawton/English J. M. J.
September 7, 1959
HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION
School let out on Memorial Day and Lesley Adamski and I spent three whole days together while her mother was in the hospital having her baby brother, Bruce. We got to go to the Country Club with my dad and he let us carry his golf clubs for him. After that we went swimming and got a sunburn. The best day of the summer was when Lesley and I were at the pool at the Country Club.
Then in August my parents and I flew to Hawaii. This is the third time I’ve been to Hawaii. I didn’t get airsick on the plane. The stewardess let me hand out gum to the passengers before we took off and said I did a good job.
We were in Hawaii on August 21st when it became the fiftieth state. My father wanted to buy property, but he says no one can afford $1.25 a foot for beachfront.
I like Hawaii, but I like Pine Ridge better. Pine Ridge is home and that’s where my best friend lives. I feel sorry for all the Cuban refugees who are coming to America, having to leave their homes behind. I hope they’ll be able to return to their homeland soon. There really isn’t anyplace better than home. That’s what I learned this summer.
St. Mary Parochial School
1521 North Third Street Pine Ridge, Washington
November 2, 1959
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Michael Adamski,
I regret to inform you that your tuition payment for Lesley, Susan and Mike is now three months past due. We trust that you will take care of this matter at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Sister Philippa Bookkeeper
Jillian’s Diary
October 23, 1959
Lesley spent the night and we watched Rowdy Yates in Rawhide—he’s so handsome!!!!! Then we watched The Twilight Zone and hid our eyes at the scary parts. Lesley’s family hasn’t bought a television yet and she said she doesn’t mind, but I think she does. After Mom and Dad made us turn off the light, we lay on my bed and talked and listened to the radio. I called in and requested Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife” and later Lesley got through and asked for Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.” I wanted to ask for “Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb,” but the disc jockey said I could only request one song at a time. I think Edd Byrnes is cute. Lesley does, too.
Lesley Adamski is my best friend for life.
1962
Jillian’s Diary
January 1, 1962
This is my first entry in the new diary Mom and Dad got me for Christmas. My name’s engraved on the front. They got Lesley one, too, with her name engraved on it. We both plan to write in them every night all year.
My day started off bad. Mom and I had a fight about the bomb shelter. It’s all finished now and takes up half the basement. Dad had it built in case of an atomic bomb. It’s ugly, with bare concrete walls and shelves filled with canned food and emergency supplies. I told Mom that if Russia dropped a bomb on us I’d rather die with the rest of my friends. Mom said Dad built it because of me and I should be grateful. She also said she won’t have me talk about dying when there’s a perfectly safe place for us in our own home.
I went to my room and closed the door. Well, actually I slammed it. I used to be able to talk to my mom about anything. I still can with my dad. He’s older than a lot of my friends’ dads, but he understands what it’s like to be almost fourteen. Sometimes on Saturday mornings he takes me to breakfast and I sit with all his attorney friends. Dad includes me in the conversation and that makes me feel important. We talk about me going to law school one day, and I think I will. I like listening to my dad and I’m proud that he’s a judge. People respect him and like him. I bet there isn’t anything he doesn’t know about the law.
Lesley phoned in the afternoon and I told her about Mr. Hanson kissing me at midnight. (I know him from breakfast on Saturdays with my dad.) It wasn’t a real kiss, but it was close. He kissed my cheek and told me I was going to grow up to be a beauty. I hope he’s right. I don’t feel beautiful with a mouthful of metal braces.
The New Year’s party was really cool except Mom kept insisting everyone go downstairs to take a peek at the bomb shelter. She thinks Dad was prudent by having it built. She insists he was the one who wanted it, but I know