Amongst the Fray
August 24th, 2006
Dearest sweet Larissa,
Thank you for your wonderful letter, which I received, quite miraculously, only ten days after you sent it. The others still love to tease me about our snail mail, but I like it. I like it very much. I dont think the authorities even bother to give letters much of a security check these days, which is probably why it got through so quickly. Too busy doing word searches for Peroxide or suicide or Underground in peoples emails. I mean, the computer is fine for urgent things: for updates, for the postcards of life, but there is truly no substitute for a hand-written letter. Or to be more precise, one of your hand-written letters.
It was grand to hear news of Marvin finally swimming. At last. What it has taken to get that boy in the water! He certainly has more than a little bit of the cat about him, dont you think? Hes always hated water. And you say it was Artie who did it? Just threw him in? Astounding. Something I could have seen myself doing, although perhaps not quite so easily now. All that sink or swim stuff not so sure you?
And Elspeths pregnant. What a miracle! Truly a rebirth baby, huh? New life sent to replace well, in replacement, lets say. I am thrilled for her, please tell her so from me, wont you? That Mikey is thrilled.
And Im so glad your paper went well, darling; the presentation sounded truly awesome, and Im sure you managed to convert quite a few listeners to a much deeper understanding of the possible applications of flight theory into the automotive industry.
Some people around here could do with a better understanding of flight theory oh no anyway.
And what about Walter? Any news from him lately? He must be due for another show soon, surely? Hes just got better and better as hes aged, hasnt he? Talk about hitting your prime at sixty. You wont believe this, Im sure, as my past record with art has been less than impressive, but honey, I think this time round we should really try to find the money, dont you? Im sure we can find the money this time. I would really like one of those landscapes he does, you know one of those really minimal ones, that you can just get lost in, for the bedroom perhaps, to gaze at as I hold you tightly
Oh yes, and the mittens! Cute. Really cute. Ill wear them in our first winter together.
Benson says hello, and to watch out for the RSI (from the hand-writing he means!) and that if youre in the mood to make any of that lemon slice that wed sure all appreciate it.
And we would. We really would.
As for life here, well, what to say, darling, what to say
During the last few weeks Id been thinking that at last there had been some kind of breakthrough, that perhaps at last theyd realised that we dont want to take over, that we dont want their country, that were just as keen as they are to see the end of all this fighting this mayhem. But then there was that suicide on Thursday morning. Market morning. Forty-seven people dead. I know they dont show this on the news, but you must realise who gets to clean it all up. With no extra pay.
Somehow the boys havent quite managed to leave that one behind. Heck knows why, this time, apart from the others. I have my theories of course, but thats how theyre going to stay. Vaporous entities inside my frame.
So yes, its a sombre feeling around here now, I tell you. The canteen is dreadful. Horrible. Two hundred-plus soldiers sitting silently, eating. Yeah, thats right, theres pretty much absolute silence. All that happy, normal, soldier talk is gone. No happy talk of guns or booze or even boobs.
Its frightening. Well, not frightening exactly, but well, yes, actually it is a bit frightening. And then, youll never guess, but then I saw a chicken with two heads. Sorry I really did though. Yesterday. Just walking aimlessly, crazily, toward me, down the street. I saw it and I panicked. I wanted to run, Larissa. I wanted to get the fuck away from it. Sorry. But from a chicken! What a chicken, huh?
Anyway, its all made me realise why they sent Vera Lynn out to the troops all those years ago. We could do with her. Or perhaps Kylie? I wonder how much shed cost? For an evening of blissful escape for us troops in Iraq. The cost shouldnt matter. We goddamn need it. So much
Ah, you know, its not too bad, really. At least we still have peas. And the occasional strawberry.
And letter
Larissa
Larissa, I hold something of you in my hands, something which you, not so very long ago held in your hands, leant over, pressed upon. It has your scent!
I know youll be alright, I know youll be alright my darling, because you are so very wonderful. Such a wonderful person, Larissa. And mother. How lucky our boys are!
Try not to get too angry. They are all idiots, of course, but it is those who hide behind the clowns that are the truly evil men. Just get as much out of them as you can. Squeeze them. Squeeze them with your fierce eyes and your strong soul. You promise? You promise me, Larissa Kate?
Good-bye darling,
Your letters, you, are next to my heart.
Mike