Chapter 38: Trying to Get to You

Texas, 10 April 1956

Dear Birdsong,

I’m flying around the country for personal appearances. I can’t begin to tell you about it, so I won’t! But I can promise you one thing: if you’re back with Miss Mary for your birthday this year, I will be too.

I miss you, but you don’t seem to care much about me anymore? Mamma said you’d been to see the house. What did you think?

I’ve enclosed my very first LP. Can you believe it?

The following songs are for you, even though you probably don’t deserve me anymore:

I’m Counting on You (I can’t now, can I?)
I Got a Woman (or do I?)
One-Sided Love Affair (must I spell it out?)
I Love You Because (blah blah blah)
Just Because (not really)
Trying to Get to You (in all honesty, I miss you)
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry Over You (see above for documentation, you heartless beep!)
I’ll Never Let You Go (I changed my mind, quick!)
and last, but most important: Blue Moon, because you are the sun to my moon… if you still care at all?!

Be a good little girl now and come home this summer. Isn’t it time you wrapped up whatever it is you’re doing up there and came back down home?

Yours sincerely,
E.

P.S. Do you know how many girls would give their right arm to be as lucky as you are re: me? I don’t think you do, wench.
P.P.S. WRITE ME BACK!

***

Pennsylvania, 30 April 1956

My dearest darlingest Moon,

Thank you for the LP. It’s fantastic, and yes, I can believe it. I’m so proud of you. It’s all kinds of amazing.

My favourite, of course, is Blue Moon. But you knew that already. I love all the other songs too, even the ones that feel affronting.

You’re very funny, but the record holds up. Everyone here adores it. Even Tilly sends her regards. (She’s secretly impressed. She’ll never admit it.)

You are breaking barriers, boy. You are sending us all into a whole new time. It’s madness, and it’s wonderful, and I am here for it. I always knew you’d come into your own eventually, my beautiful rogue genius.

I picked up a copy of LIFE Magazine today and, guess what!, you’re in it: my Howling Hillbilly Success.

I’ll come home in August. You can tell me all about your adventures then, and scold me in person for being so ungrateful. I shall laugh in your face as you do so.

Yours etc.,
Sun

P.S. Don’t be absurd.