Forty-nine

 Peggy,

    Yes, a long time. Sorry. She was in a car accident and spent a few days in the hospital. Family was there constantly, so I had to weave in and out of their presences. I know. I know.

    When she called (while in the ER), I listened, too frightened to say much. Well, she talked and I heard the fear, that shaking fear, shaking confusion, shaking uncertainty, the tears, the pain, everything one goes through (yes, I have). And I, too, was so scared I probably didn't say anything helpful. She wouldn't let me come and see her until she was in a room and her family left. I'm not comfortable about her not letting me meet her family. But... I went to see her early the next morning. All we could do was hold on to each other. It was terrible, and wonderful, and overwhelming. She will be fine. Very lucky. So I have been going in the mornings before work, had to wait one morning because her brother was there, so kind of hid until he left. Went back a few times, late at night, to read to her. She ended up being in the hospital a full week, though still don't understand why, exactly, something about bone healing. 

    A long time, though we actually talked about you many times. Felt a bit like I was talking to you. Again, I'm sorry it has been a long time. I hope every one around you is fine. I am holding her constantly.

    Well, send me happy news. A poem. I am going to give her your book, as she is stuck at her house. Man, I hate dancing around this family thing. They are not "comfortable" around me but can't get a solid reason for it. If I can't hold on the her, we Facetime, text, or just talk, usually late at night or very early in the morning, makes her family craziness unimportant.

    Goodnight. I'll write again in a couple of days.