A Rose for Melinda (2 page)

Sincerely,

Nancy Barber

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rose,

Jesse is a kind and thoughtful boy with a big heart and a well-honed sense of caring. His test scores indicate that he's a very capable student, and I expect him to do well in the remainder of his school years. Although he can sometimes be shy and reserved, he knows what he wants and works hard to achieve his goals. I must say, he certainly has note-passing down to a science!

Sincerely,

Nancy Barber

June 12

Dear Elana,

Since school ended, Jesse has been bugging me to invite Melinda over so they can play. He says he misses her and doesn't want to wait until school starts before
he sees her again. Can I pick her up Wednesday morning? Or, if you'd like, come for coffee around ten, and we'll have a visit while they play. I so enjoyed your company in our shared room -mother duties last year and would like to catch up and talk about next year. Some changes are in the wind for the Rose family
.

Ann

June 15

Dear Ann,

After our visit and talk the other day, I strongly wanted to write you some words of encouragement. Also, it's so difficult to talk with the kids hanging around, and as you said, you really don't want Jesse to know what's going on just yet.

First of all, every marriage has problems, so don't think that the situation between you and John is hopeless. I'm glad you've found a good counselor. Perhaps, in time, John will join you in therapy. Few problems get solved unless a couple works hard on them together.

Your getting a job when school starts seems like a good idea. I know it isn't easy to return to the
workforce when you feel “under qualified and undereducated,” but as you noted, we don't always get to do what we want.

Jesse is bright and so very nice. He'll weather the change. And Lenny and I will be circumspect about you and John around Melinda so that she doesn't ask Jesse questions he can't answer.

Remember, I'm here for you. Lenny and I will help however we can.

Elana

August 10

Dear Jesse,

Today we went to Walt Disney World. It's really fun, but I wish you were here to go on the rides with me. You'd like my grandma too. She's been sick, but she is feeling better now. Please don't be too worried about your mom and dad.

Parents argue. It's normal. I'll be home before school starts.

Melinda

You're Invited!!!!

Who: Melinda Skye, age 8
What: A Birthday Party
When: August 31, 3:00 P.M.
Where: Melinda's house

(Jesse, please come to my party because you are my best friend.)

Dear Jesse,

The music box you gave me is my favorite thing. Thank you a whole bunch. I know it must be tough, but don't let Toby tease you about coming to my house after school now that your mom is at work. I know it isn't much fun for you when I have dance class, but that's only three days a week. The
other days we have lots to do. I'll get better at Nintendo. Maybe even beat you someday! Your idea of building a tree house is great. My dad said he would help us. And he will, too, because he always keeps his promises.

Melinda

September 12

Thank you for the baseball cards for my birthday. I did not invite you to a party, because I did not have one. Life is not very happy around my house. Coming to your house after school is great for me because it 's fun. I am glad we are still best friends. I wish my mom and dad were happy like your mom and dad. You made my birthday a good one anyway. Thanks, Melinda.

Jesse

Greetings from the Atlanta Skyes!

Another year finds us all well and happy. We'll begin with Lenny, who continues to earn seniority at America South Air Lines and rack up the miles as a pilot. We can't believe he's flown the equivalent of twice around the earth in the few years he's been with the airline. For fun, he continues to terrorize local golfers with his formidable swing, and he says that his goal in life is to play every major course in the states before he's fifty. (Golfers of America, you have been warned!)

I continue to chase after Melinda, who keeps me on the go with her ballet classes and school projects. Between helping sew costumes at the dance studio and running publicity for the upcoming presentation of
The Nutcracker
(in which Melinda will dance in the corps), I haven't had time to catch my breath this fall. I also chaired the autumn auction and fund-raiser for the local children's hospital. I'm pleased to say we met our goal! In fact, they've asked me to chair the event again next year, and of course I said yes.

As for Melinda, she's loving school, dance and more dance. We never dreamed she'd stick with it the way she has, but she's been fanatical about becoming a ballerina since she was five, so what can we do except support her?

My mom, in Florida, continues to decline in health, but she won't move into a care facility no matter how much I beg. She says, “I don't want to live in one of those. They're full of old people.”

Sure hope this finds all our friends and family happy and healthy and ready to take on the New Year. Peace on Earth!

The Skyes

March 12

Dear Jesse,

I am very sorry you fell out of the tree house and broke your arm. Mom says that we can't play Batman and Batgirl up in the tree anymore. I guess we should have waited for my dad to tie the rope on the branch, because our
knot wasn't a good one. My mom will make you good lunches while you stay at my house so your mother can go to work, and I'll bring your homework every day until you can come back to school. I think your cast is kind of neat. Thanks for letting me be the first to sign it. Please don't let Toby sign it. He's mean.

Melinda, your (Bat) friend

Elana and Lenny,

How can I thank you enough for all the help you've given me this school year? I wouldn't have made it without you, and neither would Jesse. He talks about Melinda and both of you constantly. You are so kind to include him in your family outings. And your offer to let him spend the summer at your house while I work is overwhelmingly generous. With my family way out in California, and John's in New York, I really don't have anyone to watch my son, and a day care center isn't where he wants to be.

As you know, John and I are separating. I'm not sure what I'll do when third grade begins in the fall,
but something will work out one way or another. I feel blessed that you are so generous and kind to us.

As ever,

Ann

November 2

Dear Grandma,

Third grade is fun. Lots more homework, but I like my new teacher. My friend Jesse and I are in different classrooms this year, but he still comes over after school and we do our homework together. Guess what? Jesse now can sleep over when his mom goes out of town, because Mom fixed up the room in the basement. Jesse's mom went to California this week, so Jesse's staying with us, and it's fun to do homework and go to school together. He's better than a brother, I'm sure.

Here's really good news! Mrs. Houston picked ME to dance the part of Clara in The Nutcracker this year. You know
how much I love to dance. Someday I will be a famous ballerina, so stay healthy so you can come see me when I get to dance on the great stage.

For Halloween, me and Jesse dressed up like Frankenstein (Jesse) and Miss Piggy (me). Mom stuffed my leotard with foam padding and Dad made a pig snout for me. Mom took pictures and said she'll send some to you. Jesse and I cleaned up in the candy department. We got a ton. But don't worry, I won't eat it all (at once … ha-ha). Did a lot of kids knock on your door? I still like little bags of chocolate kisses best.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I'll write again real soon.

XXXOOO

Melinda

P.S. I LOVE the diary you gave me for my birthday, and I write in it every night. When I've filled it up, I'm getting another one! It feels great to write down my feelings.

Seasons Greetings

Dear friends and family,

It's hard to begin a holiday letter on a sad note, but I must. After eleven years of marriage, John and I have agreed to split. This has not been an easy decision for either of us, but it is a necessary one.

Our house is on the market, and over the holidays Jesse and I will be moving to Santa Cruz, where we will live in the house I grew up in. I'm so glad I didn't sell it after my dad died last year. It should be a good place to resettle, and I have plans for us once we're there. I will work and also attend college so I can earn credits toward a degree in education. John has already moved out. He's taken a position with a company in New York.

Our new address is on the envelope of this letter and on the enclosed sheet. Our e-mail address remains the same. Please keep us in your thoughts. I must admit, Jesse is having a very hard time with all of this. But what child wouldn't? Maybe next year life will look brighter for us.

We still send our best wishes for a happy holiday!

Ann and Jesse

TO: Ballerina Girl
Subject: New Home

I am in California, but I don't like it here. I miss my dad. I miss my old friends, I miss my house, and most of all, I miss you and your mom and dad. I don't like my new school, and I have to go to an after-school program now. I don't like that either. I think about the fun we used to have, my special room at your house, and how great you and your parents were to me. I feel so lucky because I have those memories. I wish things were the way they used to be. I hope you will e-mail me A LOT!

How are things for you? How's school? When you are a famous ballerina, please don't forget me. Please.

Jesse