Patterns

Part 1: Dear Eve – Dear Katherine

E-mail by Katherine Ironside – to Eve Brown, Denver CO

Sonoma, April 4th, 1993

My dear Eve

Your wedding was such a joy for Robert and me! We are very happy that you and Ed finally found one another. Thank you very much for inviting us.

I am sure that you created a wonderful new home for the two of you in your small house. I hope for you that your husband will make time that he can spend with you and enjoy it. His responsible job will not make life easy for the two of you, as I know from personal experience.

Robert is completely in his element in the vineyard. It is hard to believe that he spent most of his life in town chasing criminals. He is so relaxed now. He took to cultivating grapevines like a duck to water. His wheelchair seems to be no hindrance at all. He looks stronger and healthier than ever. Of course the fresh air, the good food and the time to savor them becomes him. This new computer with the possibility of e-mail communication is the only concession to his former lifestyle.

I could not be happier right now.

It would be wonderful to have you and Ed here as our guests, when police matters in Denver will have settled down a bit. Consider yourself as being invited any time you see a chance to get here.

E-mail by Eve Brown

Denver, April 7th, 1993

Dear Katherine

Thank you for your kind words. It's so good to hear from you! It's high time that Robert and you get a chance to do what you like.

Ed and I have managed to build a new, fulfilled life together.

He works very hard to clean up the mess after the Regency Textile Corporation disaster and to restore the people's trust in the police after the affair around Chief McManus and the coroner. Commissioner Fisette is no big help. He performs his official duties, but burdens Ed with everything else. Ed is very convincing with his modesty and his dedication, and the people of Denver feel it. What they don't know is how much it costs him personally... and yes, me too. Without me he would ruin his health. As it is, he still works twelve or more hours almost every day. If I am lucky we have two hours before we go to bed, but often he is even too tired to have dinner. I have buried all my "haute cuisine" ambitions. You just can't keep a soufflé warm for three hours. In the morning he gets up early, and I rise with him to make sure he at least has a decent breakfast. I'm well aware of the fact that he keeps struggling to take some time off for me.

I encourage him to keep up his playing basketball with the juvenile offenders, since it is such an important project.

Suzanne is of the opinion that I should make him choose between me and his workaholic lifestyle. She is very protective of me and thinks that I let myself be exploited like an old-fashioned wifey. I see it differently: My responsibility is to support my husband who tries to accomplish a task which he could not do alone... and up to two hours a day I enjoy the company of the most devoted, most tender man I can imagine.

In spite of his workload he looks much healthier than before we got married. The earlier tension has gone and he has found back to his relaxed calmness, and he smiles more often now than when we were young.

I realize that I managed to make him happy, and it means a lot to me.

I am sure that you will understand me since you have been in a similar position for years now. Even though it looked as if you were just waiting for your famous husband in the background, I know that your support was infinitely precious for Robert, and I know how much he loves you for that.

I wish you many wonderful years in your little paradise!