UPHEAVAL

Dear Ella,

This is just a note. It’s too late at night to start a letter. I was just reading this list of funny names I copied out of the phone book one night at Arlen’s. It reminded me of the fun we had poring over the dictionary, and I thought I’d sent it along to you. Why in the hell is my typewriter writing so light and why are the margins set so narrow?

Things are chaotic around here. My grandmother has been in and out of the hospital twice in the last month or so—congestive heart failure. My mother is staying with her, so I’m living alone nowadays. I don’t clean the house enough. I have to wade through art projects and supplies on the floor to get to my bed.

My voice teacher, Mrs. Unruh, has also been in the hospital. Two weeks ago she tried to stand up from her chair, her legs were asleep, and she fell—all several hundred pounds of her. She still isn’t recovered enough to teach.

I’ve been sick one out of every four weeks all year—chronic sore throat and body aches. Teaching is up and down, though I never stop marveling at the intellectual growth of my kids. I’ve started reading biographies instead of science fiction. Have recently finished George Sand’s and Madame Curie’s, as well as Maya Angelou’s autobiography. I miss hearing from you. I’ve wanted to call you many times but haven’t let myself because of the cost. Now here’s the list. And adieu…

Mordy Doobrow

Edwin Doody

Weldon Hogg

Ruby Jett

Mrs. Opal M. Jewell

Smead Jolley

Farrington Tweedy

Theophlise Twitty

Glamorfe Olay

Clarence Ogle

Walton Ofbun

Pharilla Orange

Mrs. Fannie Popper

Daisy Polite

Hebert Pickell

Velvo Pillars

Scoby Zook

Dustan Gross

Lula Trundle

Wesley Trot

Duane L. Wigley

Pressie Woolyard

Zarnell Fudge

Fannie Fullove

Neamiah Crump

Rod Crumpacker

Ellard Beans

J.V. Bony

D.F. Boogie

Verner Dingledine