Between Friends Read Free Page A

inviting me to the Seattle World’s Fair with you and Jillian. I had a wonderful time, even if we didn’t get to see Elvis. I especially loved taking the elevator to the top of the Space Needle and riding on the monorail. I’m sorry I can’t go to Hawaii with Jillian, but my mom and dad need me at home. It was very nice of you to include me. Perhaps someday I’ll see the islands.
    Thank you again.
    Sincerely,
    Lesley Adamski
***
August 8, 1962
    Dear Jillian,
    Summer is so boring without you. I wish I could be with you in Hawaii, but I need the baby-sitting money for my school uniform. Did you hear that Marilyn Monroe died? Mom didn’t like her because she was too sexy.
    Susan and I went to the movies last Saturday and saw John Wayne in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. It was good, but I would’ve had more fun with you than my little sister. Dad said spending 25¢ to see a movie is a waste. I didn’t tell him popcorn went up to 10¢ a bag.
    Call me over at Mrs. Johnson’s house the minute
    you get home. I have a lot to tell you.
    Your Best Friend Forever,
    Lesley
***
September 4th English Class
    Lesley,
    Here we are, the first day of HIGH SCHOOL. Don’t you just want to die with happiness? I was disappointed we aren’t in the same homeroom, though. Someone must have told Sister Anna Marie that you and I are best friends. They want to keep us apart, but nothing ever will. At least, we’ve got English and Algebra together.
    Can you meet me after school? We need to practice the watusi. I can do the bossa nova but this new dance is more complicated. Thank you for saying I can twist better than Chubby Checker. Now all we need is for a couple of boys to invite us to a dance so we can show everyone how good we are.
    I heard Sister Bernice grades easy in English.
    Jillian
***
October 22nd
    Algebra Class
    Jillian,
    Do you think we’re going to war? This is so scary. Even my dad was talking about it. I can’t concentrate on Algebra, can you? Mom went to Mass this morning to pray for peace. Cuba wouldn’t really bomb us, would they?
    Lesley
***
Algebra Class
    Lesley,
    I don’t know if there will be a war or not, but if there is you can come in the bomb shelter with me. I’ve already told my parents that I refuse to go inside without you. Do you want to sleep over tonight? We can camp out in the shelter. In case something does happen, we’ll be safe.
    Jillian
    P.S. If the politicians listened to the music of Joan Baez and the New Christy Minstrels, I bet this wouldn’t be happening.
***
Holy Name Academy
230 First Street
Pine Ridge, Washington 98005
November 1, 1962
    Dear Judge and Mrs. Lawton,
    Thank you for your generous financial contribution to Holy Name Academy. It is because of benefactors such as yourselves that the Sisters of Providence are able to offer high-quality education to the young Catholic women of Pine Ridge.
    You can trust that the matter of the scholarships for Lesley and Susan Adamski will be handled in the most discreet manner possible. Neither the girls nor their parents need ever know that you have paid their tuition in advance. I have discussed the matter with Mother Superior; she felt it would be best if the girls were awarded scholarships and nothing more was said. I’m confident, however, that if Lesley and Susan Adamski were aware of your generosity, they would express their gratitude personally.
    Again, your generous check is appreciated.
    In Christ’s Service
    Sister Martin de Porres
***
Lesley’s Diary
    December 4, 1962
    Scott kissed Jillian and she said it was the most romantic, wonderful event of her entire life. She asked Scott McDougal to the Sadie Hawkins dance and I asked Roy Kloster. Jillian’s dad picked us all up in his new Cadillac. It was my first official date and Roy brought me a corsage. My mother pinned it on my dress—and then embarrassed me by saying in front of Roy how pretty I was.
    Jillian and I spent all afternoon with our hair in pink rollers, the hard plastic