Excerpts From a Diary 36
[Spring, 1989]
[April]
I’m the only one awake. Teddy’s been asleep since 4 p.m. I feel asleep for maybe 15 minutes – I was watching a really good movie – “Manhattan Melodrama” with Clark Gable, William Powell & Myrna Loy – my eyes were closing but I couldn’t sleep – the movie was so good. I’ve smoked a couple of joints & blown the smoke in Teddy’s face but he won’t wake up. I’m amazed I’m not sleeping. I barely slept all weekend – we were up all night both Friday & Saturday – I’ve had maybe 2 hours sleep since Thursday. Oh well – I can sleep all day tomorrow – Teddy has to go to work. When he wakes up, I’m gonna make an omlette – ham, capicola, onion & cheese.
I forgot to mention that Felix stopped by last week – well last week being as traumatic as it was, it’s no wonder that I forgot – anyway he’s the new Sunday d.j. on WYRK. Naturally we forgot to listen today! Oh well – I’ll try to remember next week. Sunday’s are so burned out anyway – it’s hard to do anything smoke joints, munch out, read the paper & snooze.
The hockey game is starting. Maybe the broadcast will wake Teddy. I hope so – I’m hungry!
***
Coffee & joints. Grateful Dead playing downstairs. Pouring rain outside – it’s supposed to rain all week. I’ve got a cold – by-product of this past weekend’s partying, no doubt. I’m on the couch, under layers of blankets. The kitty-cats are playing. They are so sweet. They were fixed last week. Shadow’s big balls are gone! I loved his balls! Oh well. It’s better this way. They had to stay overnight at the vet’s. I was a wreck the whole time they were gone. Well, I was a wreck all last week anyway. I feel much better this week – even with this cold! Although I’ve already gone back on my resolve – yesterday there were two songs on the answering machine when I got up at 11 a.m. After Teddy called at 11:30, I called Jesse – our conversation was nothing like usual – I was in such a good mood – we talked like friends – not lovers – & it was a whole lot nicer – certainly more comfortable.
***
Working really hard. Threw out half the poems in the fifth section – wrote 3 new ones – at least first drafts – this afternoon. Still recovering from the weekend. Never feel really awake – just floating from room to room – not really here – the words of my poems running through my head – the emotions through my heart – it is not an easy process – resurrecting feelings long ago aborted.
***
Well, you’d never know it was April – it’s cold, windy, snowy. The electric heater in the bedroom broke so we’re camping out in the living room. It was another wild weekend – I slept until noon today. I’m watching a Humphrey Bogart-Dead End Kids movie. I’m tired – so tired. Just sitting & reading & watching TV. Teddy will be home soon.
3 p.m. I was laying out tarot cards for a reading & the phone rang – I let it go to the machine since I was doing a reading – a song came on, “Seesaw” by Talas – “I build you up, you bring me down again, it happens every day” – I looked at the King of Cups which was in the “what covers” position & I said out loud, “Well, if that’s how you feel, then fuck you!” Ya know, I can only take so much of this silliness. I feel like calling back & saying, “If you think this relationship is a seesaw, then get the hell off!” But why call? Why let myself in for more hassle & upset? Silence is the best weapon.
***
Woke up depressed. I had too many dreams – one in which my knees ached so badly I couldn’t walk upright & Tish had to help me along. Later – I was at UB & I ran into Mark Miles & Jon Kudzma – we all sat in the cafeteria & talked – I can’t remember about what – then I was with Jon – I was dressing up in my red lace corset, garter belt, stocking, etc. & we were laughing & going to make love – but then I was waking up & teddy was bitching at me because he couldn’t tune in WHTT – made at me because I had tuned in another station yesterday – why didn’t he check it last night? Oh well – I look out the garbage, ate breakfast & then I put my night shirt back on & went back to bed. Or rather – went back to the sleeping bags on the living room floor. It’s still cold – my office is freezing – I don’t get any work done in there today. I’m just gonna lay out here & doze & read & write some poems. I’m working on one about Nabby Adams – the daughter of John & Abigail Adams.
The worst thing of all – we’ve been out of joints since Friday – we know where there’s weed but we have no money – there’s another thing – I’m sick of making thousands of dollars on the weekends but having nothing left by mid-week. Knowing that on Thursday, we’ll be rolling in dough again but that doesn’t help us now. Life sucks!
Noon. I feel better after a two-hour nap. I’m gonna bake some cookies after I watch the credits on the noon movies. It’s a Gene Kelly musical. I’ve never been a big Gene Kelly fan. I prefer Fred Astaire.
Do some laundry – bake some cookies – read some more. I also have to go through the newspapers – I’m behind – days & days. This movie is already so corny I don’t think I can stand it! My stomach’s growling – lunchtime!
***
I’m watching a really good movie – corny but good – “Montana Moon” – 1930 – with Joan Crawford. Yesterday afternoon, I saw “Blonde Crazy” – 1931 – with James Cagney & Joan Blondell – that was really good. I love to see the clothes, the cars, the appliances, the furniture – the culture that existed in America at that time. I’m learning so much! I know that sounds crazy – learning culture from movies – & sitcoms – & I suppose, soaps, too – but they teach courses like this in colleges – I saw it on “60 Minutes” – so I can’t be very far off-base. I guess I miss out on the discussion part of a college course – the give & take of ideas & attitudes. But sometimes I really do feel that I’m leaning – & have been learning – as much, if not more – if I had been in school. But I so long to be in school. I really hate that I’m not there – I feel like I’m wasting my time. I do the best I can in my limited way.
A song just came over the answering machine – “Eye in the Sky” – who the hell does he think he is – telling me that he can read my mind? Of course if he interprets my silence as what it is – that I want to end the relationship – & I suppose he will since he’s no fool – then I guess the song’s correct – if insulting. I’m not replying – at least not right now. I’m sleeping – sleeping – or something or another.
A minute later. Oh brother! “I Will Always Love You” is playing over the machine! How corny can you get! I should send “You’re No Good” back. God – he’s playing the entire song. You really have to wonder. Is this goodbye? Somehow, I doubt it.
Evening. Teddy’s out cold next to me. He went to the dentist for a root canal today – he got sick in the chair from the gas & from the way the dentist was pressing on his tongue. They couldn’t finish the job. He has a giant hole in his tooth now – it’ll be there until he goes back May 10. What a drag!
***
Coffee & joints. Instant oatmeal for breakfast – I would’ve had a poached egg on toast but the bread was moldy – I couldn’t make biscuits cuz we’re out of milk – boohoo!
It’s warming up but still unseasonably cold. We’re still sleeping in the living room – not out of necessity – it’s not that cold – but because it’s fun!
I’m gonna throw in a load of wash before the movie starts. It’s another Joan Crawford one.
Later. It’s a quiet afternoon – the cats are asleep – after a morning of wild chases & ambushes – I’m in the kitchen – reading through old poetry pages & selecting the best ones to cut out & put into my poetry notebook. I’m eating a bowl of ramen noodles. After lunch – more poetry & then a biography of Marie Antoinette. Work on a poem until Teddy gets home. Today I work a party downtown – I should probably take a nap!
***
Oh fuss & bother. Teddy’s getting out of work at 1 p.m. – he’s gonna take a quick bath & then off to Lackawanna to do a deal & help Darryl move. I guess his furniture – stove, fridge, sofa-bed & dresser with no drawers – has been in the yard since Tuesday. I have to have my bath out of the way before Teddy gets home & suppose my hair done too cuz Lord knows how long everything will take – our first job is in Lockport at 5 p.m. I was against getting anything before the job – I thought, let’s do it straight & then score afterward – the next job isn’t until 8 & the last one at 11 p.m. Really, what a lousy schedule – they’re too far apart. I hate large gaps between jobs. It’s as bad as having them booked too close together.
I haven’t received any more songs on the answering machine, so I guess that’s that.
***
My head aches – I’m deliriously tired. I honestly don’t know where to begin – I guess at the beginning – it just seems like years ago.
Yesterday afternoon, we went down to Lackawanna & picked up Darryl. Teddy handed him the money & the scale & they drove off together, leaving me with his brother Tony – “Twizzo” – at Tony’s apartment. A little while later, Teddy came back – alone. “Darryl said he’d do it & return,” he said. I didn’t like the sounds of that. We waited & waited & waited but Darryl never came back. Finally – we had to leave so we could get to the 5 p.m. party on time. At home, I called the party to say we’d be late but there was no party! Naturally that was upsetting – we were upset enough already! & I was pissed at Teddy for leaving Darryl as it was – leaving the money with him & the scale. I mean, it’s not the first time! I made a quick dinner & then we went back down to Lackawanna to look for Darryl – who was nowhere to be seen or found – of course. We enlisted the help of his brothers – Julius, Tony & Rome. But of course we came up with nothing – & it wasn’t like we had any more money to do another deal – Teddy had given Darryl everything we had. Teddy said we’d be back at 9 to do another deal. On the way home, he said, “We only have two jobs for tomorrow night, we’re really hurting for money.” I answered, “Then why are we going to do another deal? Let’s hold onto our money.” He argued, “Well, what about the eleven o’clock party?” I reasoned, “It’ll be tough but not impossible.” I mean, I’m the one who’s dancing, after all. That remark – plus a few others – really set him off. He refused to work anymore parties – ever again.
Now – I don’t mind giving up the business – I’ve been sick of it for a while now – plus with all the coke we do, it’s not like I’m making any money anyway – & I’m sick of doing coke – I really am – as much as I love to party – & I’d do a line right now but I’m so fucking sick of it – but I don’t want to quit the business cold turkey. We have no money! We have to work!
Anyway, I put on my coat & hat & went over to Doug & Danielle’s. That got him really mad! He called Danielle & told me not to come home. Five minutes later, he called again & wanted to know where I was. “But you told me not to come home,” I replied. He hung up on me. When I finally got home, he had rigged the lock so I couldn’t get in.
But when I rang Paulie & Cindy’s bell, he let me in. He probably didn’t want any problems with Paulie – who would take my side in any case.
It was a quiet night. He would smoke joints with me but not talk to me. Sooner or later we went to bed but no hugging or cuddling. He stayed on his side of the bed with his back turned to me. In the morning, the argument continued. “I hope you know,” he informed me, “that we are really hurting financially & it’s all your fault.”
“I’m not the one who refuses to work,” I replied. There was more said – what’s the use of going into it – he thinks he’s right & you can’t argue with Teddy – he just shouts you down anyway. After he left, I broke down – I sobbed like I haven’t cried in ages. I called Danielle & brought her up to date & then I called Tish. I talked to her for quite a while & then I talked to Rocco – he’s staying with her. I also talked to Paulie – naturally they heard the entire argument downstairs – it’s impossible to keep anything quiet in this house – & Paulie gave me a joint & a beer. I saved the joint for when Teddy came home. He still wasn’t talking to me & not being any too nice but I was striving my utmost to stay calm. Around 12:30, Darryl called. “Don’t worry, I have you covered, I’ll call you back in 30 or 40 minutes.” Teddy’s attitude totally changed after that. Of course! He made breakfast & we smoked our last joint & took a nap – his arms around me.
Of course Darryl hasn’t called back yet. Teddy’s still sleeping – the kitty-cats with him – I didn’t sleep. I went down cellar & got another beer from Paulie. I’m gonna do another codeine & mellow out – I have no idea what’s next – what to expect – or even what to do. All I know is that I’m broke – out of food – out of work – but I’m resolved to make a change. It won’t be easy – I’ve tried the easy way & it doesn’t work – now my only tools are strength & prayer – & believe me, I haven’t stopped praying for the strength to get me – & Teddy – out of this rut & into a better scene. I will do it! I will!
***
Well – we worked Saturday night. When Darryl called back, he told Teddy he needed $75 to get anything. Teddy said, “I don’t think I can get any more money.” I was exploding with rage. Teddy hung up with Darryl & started dialing another number. “Who are you calling?” I demanded. “Robbie Reagan,” replied Teddy. “Why?” I wanted to know. “Gee whiz, Teddy, we’ve already given Darryl $150 – !”
“I just want a little to work tonight,” he answered.
It was the same argument all over again. “We don’t need it to work!” I was so angry I couldn’t believe it. “If I can do without, so can you! I mean, I’m the one who’s dancing!”
“But I want to have fun!” I wanted to smack him – he sounded like a whiny little brat.
I took a deep breath & prayed for patience. “Teddy, I admit it’s fun to party. But we can’t afford it! & doing stags ought to be fun without coke!”
Well – I won that battle – we worked – without any coke – & we had a good time – although the physical pain of dancing – my back, my knees, my ankles – was almost unendurable. But at the end of the night, we had all our money – we didn’t have to run back out to Lackawanna to pay off Darryl & then subsequently stay all night partying. We went home & ordered a pizza. & what a great pizza! Mushrooms & onions & black olives on my half & pepperoni & sausage & ham on Teddy’s half – extra cheese on the whole thing. We watched Saturday Night Live & then the Twilight Zone & then we went to bed. On Sunday we woke up – feeling good for once – at the incredibly early hour of 9 a.m.! We went out & got donuts. We went out & got weed. We went out & shopped at Wegman’s.
Not that the day was completely smooth. We continued talking & discussing the situation – Teddy still refuses to concede that we have a problem – or that he has a problem – or that a complete break is needed. There were times I was crying behind my sunglasses. Late in the day – though – he gave in – kind of – he agreed to work next weekend without any coke – he said, “I just figured out that if we don’t do any coke next weekend, we’ll be just about out of the hole.” Like, DUH! “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!” I almost shouted. “So we agree? We don’t buy any coke until we’re out of the hole – our debts are paid – we calm down – ” “Agreed.” We shook hands.
Naturally, this is only a start. I still plan to look for a new career – a new way of making money. I still plan on cutting back on stags – so that by the end of the summer I can retire. But I’m gonna take things slowly. Like they say in AA – one day at a time.
Oh, what a tiring weekend! I feel so worn out! But it’s a warm sunny day – the birds are chirping – the kitty-cats prancing around – I’m gonna clean up the house this morning – then take a bath – then write all afternoon. Probably I’ll take a nap somewhere in there too – a lovely little catnap with my lovely little kitties.
Afternoon. I’m watching “Little Nelly Kelly”. I’ve never seen it before. It’s corny but good.
It’s a nice day – cloudy but warm. I have the front door & the windows open – the air smells so good.
I feel fat & ugly.
I feel like the weather – warm with periods of sunshine but mostly cloudy & threatening rain.
***
I’m in a wonderful mood – a really good mood – even though we fell off the wagon last night – Curtis stopped by – oh well – enough said on that. I felt really guilty & reproachful last night but I can’t wallow in those feelings – just sigh & try harder next time. Besides – it’s not like it cost us anything – & it’s the money issue that really gets to me – as well as my – & Teddy’s – sanity. I also want to stop dealing with Darryl & that whole Lackawanna scene – it was so nice sitting in our comfy living room – doing a few lines – smoking a joint – playing cards – no paranoia – not sitting in some drug house – in the near-dark – people banging on the door – people wild-eyed, waiting for their next hit – no, I don’t need any more of that!
I’m just gonna take a quick look at the morning movie & then write – I thought of a new way to make the book work – but I’ve got a lot of writing to do – at least I feel like it – the book’s had me so frustrated. I just had to leave it alone for a while. But today I attack anew!
First – breakfast. Second – go through the newspapers. Third – straighten up my office. Fourth – rewrite “The Rainbow”. Oh, to be productive!
Evening. I found $18 in my typewriter today. So that’s where I put it! I looked all over but never thought there. Well you never know, huh? So we went out & picked up the new photos. Most of the pictures were of the kitty-cats – of course. Our babies are so photogenic! Oh, they’re so beautiful! There’s one picture of Shadow in the bathtub – what a doll! A somewhat blurry one of Missy looking at herself in the TV – Shadow & Missy playing in the chair – sitting on the cushions – walking into the dining room – oh, they’re so adorable, so lovable, so wonderful – we love our kitty-cats so much – there are no cats anywhere that are loved more than our cats.
***
I broke down & called Jesse. I left the beginning verse of “It Makes No Difference” by the Band. I dreamed about him last night – he was sitting at the bar at Falco’s & I was arguing with Morton Downey Jr. I ended up telling him to fuck off. That’s the second time I’ve dreamed about arguing with that asshole. I wonder if I was really arguing with Jesse – or with someone else. Or if the dream is literal.
Anyway, I wonder if he’ll call back. I wonder if he’s even at home – oh, there’s the phone. Nothing! Someone hung up. Could be Jesse – he’s like that.
I’ve got lots to do today – I’ve already done the housework – I’m gonna write all morning – then walk – I’ve got to buy Ginny P. a belated birthday card & I thought I’d mosey up Bailey Ave & check out the shops. Maybe stop in at Falco’s – & say hi to Anthony.
***
I’m watching a Virginia Mayo movie – it’s kinda dumb but ok – a typical Warner Brothers picture – Virginia Mayo played such hard-boiled characters – I feel a murder coming up – someone’s getting framed.
I went out yesterday – walked up Bailey Ave & stopped in at Falco’s & had a few beers – I was about to leave when Rolf Johnson came in – Wayne Johnson’s younger brother – half-brother – I hadn’t seen Rolf in a long time – I thought he looked terrible. He has that heavy drinker look – puffy around the face & jowls – he told me he had been in a car accident last Saturday morning – totaled a $16,000 car – a dealer car – his sells cars at Honda Village – anyway, I stayed for another beer – & another – & a shot with Rolf – then I realized what time it was – Rolf offered to give me a ride home – but first we had to do a shot for the road – & then we had to drive around the block a dozen times – smoking a giant joint – Jeff gave me a few Xanax & I took one & pocketed the rest – he’s a nice guy but really fucked up. He wanted a blowjob & I was like, here? In the car? Are you crazy? & yeah, he’s crazy like that. Naturally by the time I got home, Teddy was really pissed off – we got in a huge argument & he knocked me down – he hit me again when I was trying to get up. I stayed down – the Xanax was kicking in & with the shots & the beers I was too tired to fight anymore anyway.
Later on, Teddy was really sorry & really repentant – “There’s no excuse for me to get physical like that,” but in a way I don’t blame him – I can argue like a motherfucker when I’m drunk – I’m absolutely fearless – & besides it’s contact – not sexual but physical contact & that’s better than nothing – it’s sick but true – & I have so little sexual contact with Teddy – none! & it’s not the first time he’s hit me – but usually he just yells at me. Either way – things have got to change – got to change – got to change! Oh – but change is so slow & I want results now! Oh well – just gotta try harder.
Evening. It’s so quiet. No TV, radio – nobody’s home downstairs – the kitty-cats are fast asleep. I just got out of the tub. I tried taking a nap but the phone kept waking me so I gave up. I frosted the cake I’d baked for Teddy – yellow cake with chocolate frosting – & then sliced some cucumbers & tomatoes for a salad. I haven’t eaten them – I salted then & put them in the fridge to chill. With a touch of vinegar, they’ll be real tasty – whenever I do decide to eat them.
I should clean out the tub & run Teddy’s bath for him. He’s working late today – he’s painting – but he’ll be home soon.
***
Quiet. Teddy stayed home from work today – he’s sleeping now – he’s been sleeping most of today. I’ve been sleeping off & on – you know how hard it is for me to sleep during the day. I just took my last 222 – so hopefully I’ll be able to doze off soon – I have two parties tonight. I know we shouldn’t have partied last night but what can you do? We have made some compromises – we’re not quitting coke – I never thought we would – honestly, I didn’t – but we’re not dealing with Darryl anymore & if we can’t find any to do our Saturday night parties, then we don’t do it & we have a good time without it.
Another reason I’m having trouble sleeping is that my ankle is killing me – it’s bruised & twice its normal size – it feels hot & it’s throbbing. At first it was only bothering me if I accidentally touched it or turned over on it while sleeping but now the pain is constant. I hope is just a bad bruise. I have to dance all the parties I’ve booked this weekend because the money’s so badly needed. So I really suppose I should get some rest.
***
Another unseasonably cold day. Regardless of the cold, today is the day Teddy’s pulling the bike out of storage & driving it to Cal’s – where it’s gonna get tuned up, the oil changed, braked checked, air shocked fixed, windshield put on, etc. He’s doing that now. Robbie Reagan is with him. I decided to stay home so I could do a few things & I’m glad I did – I just got my period.
***
I’ve got my period. I feel – yicky. Tired – achy. I slept all morning. I’m gonna smoke a joint & then take a bath & do my hair.
It’s a cloudy day – a bit warmer. It was sunny but chilly all weekend. They’re predicting warmer weather by the end of the week – we’ll see. We’re going out to dinner Thursday night with Doug & Danielle & if it doesn’t warm up, I won’t be able to wear what I want.
I forgot to tell you Friday that 2 songs were on the answering machine. I couldn’t reply because Teddy was home. Today I sent the beginning of “Tequila Sunrise” – but I haven’t gotten any answer.
Also – Doug took a trailer to Sherkston the other day & our section is totally changed – it’s all seasonal now. then only places you can camp are behind the store & on Wyldwood Beach. So – no more Sherkston. Well – it’s been a long time coming. Teddy’s heartbroken, of course – he’s been camping there since he was a kid. But in a way, I’m glad. Now we can go to other places – see other things. I’d love to go to the Thousand Islands. Or the Finger Lakes. Or somewhere up in the Adirondacks. Or New England! The possibilities are endless. & did I tell you we want to go to California around Labor Day? I can hardly wait! See – things are looking up. I’m even having fun dancing again – I think it’s because I know I’m retiring soon. So many things to look forward to – so many things that used to seem so far away.
***
A beautiful spring day. Sunny – warm – I cleaned the house – put some of the screens down – did 4 loads of wash – the street has been alive with people. I’m so glad – it’s been winter forever.
Teddy knows that Jesse’s the one leaving tunes on the answering machine. Usually I delete them before he hears them but when he was home Friday, he heard the two tunes & he wanted to know who would do anything like that – & he’s heard them other times, too. So I told him. He gave me the third degree about whether or not I was seeing him – which of course I denied within an inch of my life. I would have admitted seeing him – if I had to – but I would have said I was getting painkillers off him – which is true, anyway. I would have told Teddy that I get pills off of Paulie & Rolf Johnson & anyone else I can. I’m so tired of being in pain all the time. I’ve seen Rolf several times this week – he’s at Falco’s every time I’m there. & with the nice weather, I’ve been stopping in almost every afternoon. I know he wants me. & why not?
Anyway – I told Teddy that I didn’t really know why Jesse was putting songs on our answering machine – honestly, how could I? – I really don’t know what Jesse is thinking. One day he started putting songs on the answering machine! But they brighten my day & I said that I thought that was probably the only reason why he was doing it – it wasn’t anything more than that. They’re usually just snippets anyway. & ya know – I really don’t care. I’ve stopped caring what Teddy thinks. I’m a good wife. I’m make lots of money & hand over every penny to him. I’m a good housewife. I’m a good cook. I’m a good mother to the kitties. I’ve stopped complaining about the lack of sex – & it’s not like we have sex anyway. I’m loyal to him in every other way – I don’t see why I have to be celibate just because he wants to be.
***
[May]
Feeling better – finally. I was sick for days – we fell off the wagon – went down to Darryl’s new place – got into smoking & I got really sick – I started throwing up & couldn’t stop – I wanted to leave but Teddy wouldn’t – he kept hitting the pipe – he didn’t care that I was sick – I couldn’t believe it – it was a nightmare. Finally home & it has taken me days to feel like a whole person again – plus it’s been raining for days & my knees & my back have been aching beyond belief – but today I feel better – at least I’m happier – in a good mood – it’s May & it’s warm – although raining for the last few days – but I don’t care, I love spring rain – everything is so green – the red blossoms are falling off the trees & little green leaves are appearing – the new flowers are blooming – forsynthia, tulips, daffodils, crocuses, narcissus – it’s so beautiful – it took so long to spring to get here – it’s hard to believe that it’s really here! Still – I suppose it could still snow! Oh well – I guess we’ll wait & see what happens!
***
Eating a hot dog & watching “Murder She Wrote”. Had an absolutely exhausting weekend. My knees have gotten so bad that dancing is agony. I’m so tired of being in pain – so tired. It really wears you down – emotionally as well as physically. I don’t know how much more I can take – if I can make it to the end of summer. It’s such a drag – it really takes the fun out of dancing.
Tomorrow I’m going downtown to the library & get a book about resume writing. I’ve been marking job possibilities in the paper. The phone rings endlessly – message after message of jobs – upcoming stages – guys who’ve seen me before & want me again – want me to dance at their stag – & I just can’t do it anymore – the pain is killing me.
***
I’m watching “Murder She Wrote”. It’s a lovely warm evening – getting cloudy but still lovely. It got up to 69 today! It was great! I went downtown to the library – got some books out on job hunting, resume writing & re-entering the job market – really! Then caught a bus over to the West Side & met Jesse at one of his places. He just evicted the tenants & it was a mess. I was wearing my old pink paisley ruffled skirt & a denim shirt & a white ruffled petticoat underneath – white lace garter-belt & white lace stocking & my white suede cowboy boots. & musk oil – I felt very sensuous & sensual & he knew it – very warm, full, womanly – I love making love in the sunshine –
Afterward, he gave me a ride over to Falco’s & I walked home after a few beers. A perfect day.
***
I’m really sick. Teddy’s come down with it too – he went to work but he’ll just do the bare minimum & come home. I was supposed to go out today but that’s now off – I couldn’t have left the house anyway – I’m so sick. The weather doesn’t help at all – cold, rainy, damp. Tuesday was the only nice day we’ve had all week – the only nice day in eons – no wonder we’re all sick – with this dampness – oh, where the hell is spring?
Night. Jesse’s supposed to call – we’ve been waiting since 5:30 – he’s picking something up – but obviously something’s gone wrong.
I’m feeling much better – Teddy’s 24 hours behind me – I was just working in my office – we’ll just smoke a few & munch a little & eventually fall asleep. We slept all afternoon. I got up & took a bath & washed my hair around 4 p.m. I made slopping joes & fries for dinner.
The phone just rang – it’s Jesse – nothing’s happening – I guess I’ll throw the Tarot around a little – then read – I have way too many library books to read – plus today I received a birthday present from Anna – a book called Amy’s Eyes – it looks really good. Plus I have to started reading drama & books about play-writing – I thought – what if the story about The Canteen & the dancers is told in a play/musical format? I think it would work. I’ve been thinking about it all day.
***
Yesterday was the worst day of my life. Everything went wrong – I started our defrosting the fridge. I looked underneath the sink to get a sponge & discovered the drain has a major leak – has been leaking for a while – it was a mess – 2 inches of sludge & mold – which of course I had to clean up – then I when I was returning the cooler – I put the food from the fridge into the cooler when it’s defrosting – I accidentally knocked the watering cans off the landing & down the back stairs so there was water everywhere – I had I clean that up – then I was going to wash the kitchen floor – I removed the tablet & chairs – then swept – then scrubbed the cupboards & walls & woodwork & while washing the window, I accidentally knocked the piece of dowling holding the window up – or maybe it just broke – anyway – the window crashed down on my right hand – the middle finger & my ring finger – they must’ve heard me screaming all the way downtown – I can barely hold a pen today. My middle finger is 3 times its normal size & completely black. I did manage to mop the floor – after a while! Danielle came over with a joint & told me to keep ice on my fingers. I did – off & on – all night. Today Teddy told me to do nothing – I still have a bad cold – or maybe it’s allergies – or maybe pneumonia – who knows – who cares. I was supposed to meet Jesse today but I had to blow him off – he’s pissed but I could care less. It’s going up to 75 today! All sun – no clouds! I’m going to put on my bikini & lay in the sun!
***
A breezy overcast day. Already hot. I picked up quite a bit of color yesterday – I was only out 45 minutes. I have the lawn furniture on the porch – a little outdoor living room. The kitty-cats have trouble with the concept of a porch – open air bothers them – also the noise of the traffic. Shadow – of course – is more adventurous than Missy. But they’re both scaredy-cats. I’m sitting out here right now. Shadow’s in the window – meowing – he wants me to come in.
Last night was so much fun. Instead of going out to dinner – which is what we usually do to celebrate a birthday – we went to the baseball game! It was so much fun! We ate a ton of food – roast beef on weck – shrimp cocktail – hotdogs – popcorn – ice cream – peanuts – & of course, beer! It was so much fun. It was a near sell-out & the Buffalo Bisons won. We took the train down & back. It was a lovely evening – no cooler than 67.
I’m inside now – watching a movie called “The Arnelo Affair”. It’s about a woman married to a lawyer who’s too busy to pay attention to her & she gets into an affair with a handsome nightclub owner – there’s a murder in here somewhere – it just hasn’t happened yet – but it will.
Later. The mail just came – birthday cards & gift certificates! I have a nice shopping trip coming up!
But I feel so melancholy – maybe because I woke up with a headache – allergy season – or maybe because “Take It To The Limit” was on the answering machine this morning – my emotions are all messed up – he messes me up!
***
Tired. Still recovering from the weekend. It looks like it could rain any second. I’m lying on the couch – coughing. I’m still so congested – my allergies are really bad this year. Teddy says it gets worse every year. I should see a doctor. I feel so wiped out. I live on Contacs, Sudafed, Tylenols & Motrin. I’m always drowsy but I can’t sleep. I have lots to do to get ready to go camping but I just gonna lie on the couch & read a while.
Afternoon. The phone just rang – on the machine, I heard a song – very hard to heard – a lot of static – some high voice – Joan Baez or Judy Collins – “Call me” – I couldn’t make out the rest.
See? I told you he’d call again. I told you he’d be back. Big deal. I erased the message & went back to my typewriter.
***
I’m beat. I sewed all day – that is – until 2 p.m. – when I realized I couldn’t anymore. Anyway – by the time I put everything put away & cleaned up, Teddy was home & it was time to go – to get wood – to fill the truck with gas – to go to Wegman’s – then home, where I started the laundry – I had to buy detergent at Wegman’s – & made tuna-mac salad & hamburger patties. I’ve been packing – I have a few things left to do – including folding the laundry. I won’t see bed before 10 p.m. – we want to be up bright & early tomorrow cuz there’s still a lot to do. That’s why I don’t care if I finish tonight – I can finish the packing while Teddy’s de-winterizing the trailer.
***
On our way. Almost. Stopped at Falco’s to buy ice. Now we’re starting –working our way up Bailey Ave to the Expressway.
Afternoon. Stoneybrook State Park. Well we’re here. Teddy’s in the office. Doug & Danielle will get here tomorrow. We stopped in Batavia for a quick bite but what really took so long was getting stuck behind one slow driver after another. Still & all – it doesn’t matter – it was really a nice ride.
***
We’ve been up since 7:30 a.m. Last night we drank White Russians & went to bed around 10 p.m. It rained – poured all night. It’s supposed to stay cloudy & cool but no more rain. It’s really nice. We’ve smoke several joints & took two walks this morning. We also ate the pecan coffee-cake & drank coffee. Now Teddy’s cooking pork sausage patties on the grill outside & I’m cooking home-fries inside. It’s so quiet. I forgot the adapter for the stereo so we have no tunes this weekend but big deal – just listening to the leaves rustling & the creek & the birds – we can’t help thinking about Shadow & Missy – do they think we’re gone for good? I really miss them.
Afternoon. Just woke up from a short nap – Teddy’s mouth is really bothering him – he had a root canal the other day – so he’s still laying down. It’s much warmer than before. Blue sky & puffy white clouds & intermittent sunshine & a gentle breeze. I’m sitting outside in my rocker. I have my period but I’m feeling alright – I felt worse yesterday.
There’s a family a few sites down from us – they arrived last night – Dad’s probably working today – Mom, an older brother named Noah, younger brother & a little sister who’s a doll – blonde curls – just learning to talk – still cutting teeth by the way she cries – they seem very friendly & wave to me as they walk by. There are plenty more family units around here. It’s really nice. A little girl on a bike just waved at me.
***
Doug & Danielle didn’t show up until 9:30 last night. I guess they had one problem after another.
It’s cooler & cloudier today. It rained early this morning then cleared up – it was quite sunny there for a while – now the sky is totally clouded over & looks like it could pour any second. But it’s still really nice – I’d rather be here than anywhere else.
We just finished breakfast – bacon, a cheese omelette, toast & pecan kuchen for dessert. Tonight’s dinner is steaks & potatoes o’brien. Last night we had barbequed ribs & tuna-mac salad – killer!
***
A totally excellent day. Not a cloud in the sky. Hot sun – cool – maybe even cold – breeze – I’ve been changing clothes all day. Right now I’m wearing red sweat pants & a read V-neck sweater with three-quarter’s length sleeves. & flip-flops – although my feet are beginning to get cold. We haven’t really done a thing all day except eat, drink & read.
***
Just finished packing & cleaning up – the trailer’s ready to collapse – Doug’s gonna help Teddy with that – since Teddy always bitches at me when I help him & Doug & Danielle are sick of hearing it. Of course, today is the loveliest day yet – hot & sunny. I haven’t been feeling well – stomach upset & diarrhea – probably from overeating & drinking too many beers & White Russians. Really – the combination of foods & tossed thoughtlessly into my stomach would have churned & turned a far more iron-clad one!
Breaking camp is always depressing. Much more fun setting everything up!
Evening. Home again. Beat. But it was so wonderful to see the kitty-cats again – they were starved for human contact – our contact – they were rather freaked out from being alone for so long – they were perfectly fine – just so lonely!
Night. Watching “Murder She Wrote”. Teddy’s in the tub. The kitty-cats are in the front window, watching the traffic. I’m handling my cards – toss them around a bit – I’m feeling better – my stomach has stopped churning – my bowels has calmed down – my muscles have stopped aching. I put some things away – I’m gonna do most of the unpacking tomorrow. & the mountain of laundry. & try to write.
***
I’m sick. I was up half the night – shitting my brains out – my stomach & intestines in such pain I cried. Today seems to be more of the same. The Emetrol is almost gone. This is no hangover! I’m curling up on the couch with a good book – maybe take a little nap. I have so much work to do but I’ll have to wait to do it – I just can’t move without pain – plus I’m beat – I slept very little – if any – last night.
***
I just put Teddy to bed. He had fallen to sleep on the couch. Poor guy – I went into the kitchen to make some White Russians & when I came back, he was sleeping. So now – having finished mine – I’m working on his! I’ll float to bed – I’m not tired at all – oh wow – there’s an excellent white Caddy with huge fins sitting at the light – it’s so great! What a beauty!
I am quite recovered today – I went downtown to the library – Henry & Mina stopped by – Paulie made me a new tape – “Old & In The Way” – I stubbed both my baby toe & the one next to it on my left foot at 2 different times – tripping over Shadow – they’re swollen & throbbing. I also walked into the end table – actually, I think the table jumped out at me – & now I have a gash & a large bruise on my thigh. I am such a klutz! It’s amazing that I can dance so well – so gracefully & fluidly – since I can barely walk. It must be some weird kind of balance.
Well – I want to finish my book – naturally I got out another load of books when I was at the library – I have so much reading to do!
Oh – & I am dying for the weekend! Dying to dance & be a star. Dying to dance off all the weight I gained on vacation!
Night. Another storm. Hot & humid all day – storms at night. This is a pretty mellow storm. Last night was a whopper. I woke up – got up – closed all the windows – watched the sky for a while – I love lightning – then went back to bed. The kitty-cats crawled in with us – frightened by the storm – it was a really great storm – I too was frightened by the loud & continuous thunder – Missy burrowing between Teddy & me – Shadow getting comfortable in between my tits – like all of my men, he’s discovered what a great pillow Cori’s tits can be – & his head is small enough to take advantage of their comfort!
I heard a scratching at the hallway door – & a meowing – I had put the cats to bed with Teddy but the storm must’ve woken them. They played for a while – hide & assault – but now that the storm has increased in potency – but mellower than last night – they’re hiding under the ottoman. Teddy – of course – is out cold. I suppose tomorrow there’ll be a replay of this morning’s conversation – “Some storm last night, A?” “What storm?” “The giant storm that went on for hours!” “I guess I slept through it.” “I guess so!” My husband – sleeping beauty!
I’m still not tired. I should be exhausted. Insomnia. What a curse. Of course – consider the general downward track of my health & I guess it’s all part of the pattern. That’s life –
It’s pouring.
***
[June]
Depressed. Why? I don’t know. I slept poorly last night – even when I went to bed I couldn’t sleep. I should go back to bed but I doubt I could sleep. I wish I had a joint but of course we’re out.
It’s cool & foggy.
Jesse called & left a message – we owe him money – by the sounds of the background, I could tell he was at home – maybe he’ll stop by. I suppose that would be the only thing that could cheer me up. I feel so fat & ugly – I feel almost suicidal. & yet – yesterday I felt sexy & beautiful. Like Teddy says – the “rollercoaster” of my emotions is enough to depress anyone.
Afternoon. Just out of the tub. Feeling clean & smooth & soft. I was out in the sun until it clouded over & began to rain. Boy – it’s just about impossible to get a tan this year! I can’t believe it’s June & I’m still pale. I have faint tan lines – very faint. Oh well – getting a tan’s supposed to be bad for you anyway. I wouldn’t care if I had one or not if I wasn’t a dancer. I also forgot to take off my wedding ring. But I barely care about that anymore. Oh well – one more summer – then my ring can stay on forever.
***
Laying on the couch. Feeling burned out & a little blue. Yesterday Jesse stopped by at 3:30 p.m. with the weekend’s supply – 2 grams for Teddy & Cori – supposed to do a half a gram today & the rest tomorrow night – but of course it’s all gone. The first gram was gone before Jesse left – he hung out until 6:30 – part of the second gram was traded for some weed – which is also gone – & well – you know what happened to the rest of it.
I don’t care – well, maybe I do – okay, I do care – except I really have more fun partying at home with Teddy than I do working. I’m always afraid of residue on my nose or being stopped by a roadblock or something. But still – I’m disappointed. After all my tough words & resolutions – very little has changed. I feel like a fool.
Oh well – that’s life. Nothing else to do but try harder.
Night. What a trying evening. After a lovely afternoon nap, we got up to a barrage of messages on the answering machine – one of them was from Danny Potts from Chopin’s – he had a stag for me tonight. I called right back – he was there – I’ve worked for him dozens of times & Danny knows the score – I left a message that I’d be happy to but I had another gig & I could be there around 11:30 – midnight. Meanwhile – since we now had two gigs – Teddy called Julius – Darryl’s brother – & practically sold his soul to get him to front us some blow. That was at 4:15 – Julius said he’d call back within the hour. I made dinner – steak & cheese hoagies with peppers & onions & fries on the side – & finally got in touch with Danny Potts – who said that 11:30 was fine – the groom was his nephew – no doubt they’d still be partying. 10 minutes later he called back – no, 11:30 was too late – they had a topless barmaid until 10 or so & they wanted me to dance at 10 when she left. I said, well, what about 9? He hemmed & hawed & I said, that’s cool, things don’t always work out, maybe next time. Well – Teddy blew his top. I don’t know what I was supposed to do – I already had a job at 10 & I can’t be in two places at once. He tried calling Danny back but he had just left. At this point – Teddy hasn’t been able to get in touch with Danny nor has Julius called back. & I hope he doesn’t. Teddy says we’re committed no matter what but I hope he doesn’t call back! I hope! I hope!
***
Half-past Midnight. At home. We stopped on the way home & picked up a 6-pack & some Contac – considered going to Darryl’s but really didn’t want to – at least I didn’t want to. Teddy’s out right now – getting a cheeseburger, onion rings & a milk shake. We’re watching Jay Leno on the Tonight Show.
It was a really good party. I was a really good show. I really think that I’m better without coke. I dance better – I relate better to the audience – Teddy doesn’t agree but so what. The only thing is – the music seems to play slower when I’m not blasted! But that’s no big deal! I do think it’s really interesting, though.
Afternoon. I do a tarot reading – a Celtic Cross & sometimes other spreads – at least once a day – I write them down – using the Connolly book as reference – although I don’t like her interpretations very much & I am working on making my own set of interpretations. For instance – the King of Cups usually means Jesse although sometimes it’s the King of Pentacles – since he’s a landowner – & the Knight of Cups has come to mean Jon Kudzma – or some other lover like him – the dream of a young love. Anyway, lately the Knight of Cups has been coming up a lot in various spreads – today he was the outcome & I thought of Jon immediately – partly because I’ve been thinking about him so much lately anyway – I’ve come to the decision that – as much as I want to quit dancing – I don’t want to quit entertainment – I mean – I wanted to be an entertainer my entire life – & these last 7 years has been the happiest & most fun of my entire life – & I don’t see why I should really have to quit entertainment even though I do quit dancing. All my life I’ve wanted to sing in a band & I was thinking – why not start one – a kinda blues-rock-honky-tonk type thing – with me doing my Cori act – I could wear a lot of the outfits that I have right now – sexy, good-times, good rocking party tunes – I have a dozen ideas & even more lyrics – plus, as “Cori”, I have a following –
So – I thought – what if I call Jon & pitch this idea – ask for advice – how do I go about this – go about starting something like this – who knows – maybe he know someone in search of a new project – or maybe even Jon himself – the idea has been kicking around in my brain – I’m so afraid of rejection – I’ve been putting it off – getting in touch with him – if I can – but ya know – if I don’t ask – risk rejection – I’ll never know – it could work – I’ll work my balls off to make it work – oh dear! – my favorite dream – my most cherished dream – my most sensitive spot –
***
Oh – rage & frustration! Jesse stopped by this morning – we owe him some bucks – but Teddy hadn’t left for work this morning – he should have been long gone – as Jesse turned to leave, I had to ask – sotto voce, of course – “Are you coming back?” “I have to work,” he answered. I walked back upstairs & could barely maintain a smile in front of Teddy. I told him I was pissed because I hate owing people money – which is true – but I was furious at Teddy for still being at home when he was supposed to be at work – which I know Jesse knew, too – & I wish Teddy would just tell him he doesn’t have it instead of having me tell him stupid put-off excuses that he doesn’t believe anyway. I’m so frustrated! I’m so horny! I went to the back of the house & masturbated – for the first time today – I average 5 times a day – urgh!! Life is so unfair! I wanna get laid! I want a big fat cock pushing into me! I want to be kissed with lots of tongue & passion! I want to be told I’m beautiful – I’m wonderful – I’m exciting – I’m fantastic – I’m the best fuck ever!
Later. The morning movie’s a dud. I put on CNN. I’m listening to the news from China. Tiananmen Square. Those poor people. They say – there are warring faction within the army – they’re fighting. Now there’s this incredible footage of one man taking on 18 tanks! He made them stop! Now he’s climbed up on the lead tank – the video’s been cut. I’m going to put on some music.
At least we have joints. Well – smoke a joint – put on some good tunes – “Old & In The Way” – can’t help but feel better.
Afternoon. I had just finished cleaning the house & running Teddy’s bath when he came bursting in. He had called earlier to say that he had cut his fingers on his mower but it wasn’t anything bad. That’s what he said – the sight of his bloody fingers turned my stomach & I sent him over to Danielle’s to get professional help – also because Danielle has all the right bandages & tape – while my first aid kit is sadly lacking – just band-aids & Bactine. My poor baby. “Bad luck for a loved one,” read the Moon card today. I really hope his fingers are okay – they looked awful!
***
Teddy stayed home from work today. He called Danielle about re-doing his bandages & she said he really should go to the ER. She told him that yesterday too. I told him that, too – when he initially called me – but he said he hadn’t hurt himself very badly. I think he was in shock.
It’s a gorgeous day. I’m glad I cleaned the house yesterday. This morning I did the laundry & washed some windows. I’m ashamed to say that it’s the first time I’ve ever washed them since I moved in! They’re really dirty! That along with – rolling joints – getting Teddy coffee – making breakfast – etc. Now I’m gonna put on my bikini & lay in the sun.
Afternoon. Teddy called me from the ER. His fingers are really fucked up – he should’ve gotten treatment immediately – not waited 24 hours. He has prescriptions to fill, so I rode my bike over to Falco’s to borrow $10 from Anthony because – of course – we’re broke. I was so hot & sweaty & I was just dying for a beer! Oh well! I’ll probably have to go over to CVS & fill the prescriptions, too. I’m glad I have a bike! I’m glad everything’s pretty close by, too.
Night. Teddy’s out cold. I made a late dinner – haddock, fried, carrot & celery sticks — & he ate every bit & smoked two joints before he fell asleep. He kinda comes to every now & again – just now he was apologizing for being such a drag!
***
7:30 p.m. Anne Frank would have turned 60 today if she had survived the Holocaust.
It’s raining. It seems to rain all the time lately. I guess it was the rainiest June on record. It screwed up the spring planting & all this additional rain isn’t helping. There were floods all over the place on Friday – 2.5 inches of rain fell in 40 minutes – too much, too fast!
Teddy’s birthday is Friday & we’re going to party – of course it depends on how much we have – but it’ll be an excellent dinner no matter what – if there’s one thing I can do, it’s cook a good meal.
I made a lot of money this weekend – paid a lot of bills – but also snorted a lot of coke – all from Jesse. It was so nice partying with him all weekend – but it wasn’t so nice on Sunday when Jesse & Teddy had a disagreement & argument. They’ve patched up their differences somewhat but we’ll see what happens. I’ll be really sad if cocaine comes between Jesse & Teddy. Especially after everything else they’ve been through! It’s so fucked up! But that’s life.
***
At Danielle’s. Her mother’s oxygen machine broke & she had to go fix it. So I’m here with the kids, the dog, the cat. A fresh brewed cup of coffee – I haven’t had coffee in days – we’ve been out. I told Teddy to remember to bring home instant coffee from work if he wants a cup of coffee tomorrow morning!
I’ve been busy working on a collage to give Teddy for his birthday – a stag party collage. Area maps – raffle tickets – invitations – photos & torn dollar bills – it looks great. All I have to do is glue down corners & mount it. & then wrap it of course – I’ll have to wrap it in newspapers or paper bags – I don’t have enough wrapping paper to go around it. I’m glad I got those frames from Jesse before he & Teddy had their argument – this collage is being framed! I want to show Jesse my artwork & his contribution to it but I don’t think that’ll happen very soon. Usually he calls Tuesday night for our “order” – but not last night.
I got more books on Astrology, the Tarot, Chinese Astrology, Numerology. The more I know, the more I want to know. I took notes last night until I could no longer hold a pen.
Night. My fingers ache! Reading & taking notes until I can’t do it anymore.
We finally went to Sibley’s & spent my birthday gift certificates. I got 8-inch, 10-inch & 12-inch skillets, sunglasses, 2 bras & a pair of panties, all on sale.
Still haven’t heard from Jesse. I’m gonna really miss him.
***
Teddy had to be at the hospital at 8 this morning so naturally he had to be up & out earlier than usual. I put my tarot cards under my pillow & went to sleep – Shadow asleep at the top of my head – his new favorite place to sleep – & Missy curled up at my side. Now they’re sitting together in the left front window. They’re so adorable! They have really improved our lives! We love them so much – & they love us.
It’s another rainy day. One after another! My tan is but a memory. I can’t believe this sucky weather! Oh – the prices of fresh fruits & vegetables are rising, rising! The only food at the Bailey-Clinton market is out-of-state. The crops – the few they’ve managed to plant – are rotting in the fields. Floods & drought! As the years go by, the prophecies of Nostradamus all come true – it’s scary!
I’m going to spend the afternoon watching TV – tossing the Tarot – doing the exercises in The Fortune-Teller’s Workbook – there’s a bunch of predictive schemes I’ve never heard of – Oracle of Napoleon – Witchdoctor’s Bones – Dominoes – Playing Cards – plus a slew of others I’ve heard of but have no experience in – The Crystal Ball – Tea Leaves – Runes – Palmistry – plus the ones I’ve been working on – Numerology – Tarot – Astrology – Dreams – not that I want to foretell the future – well, not other people’s futures – I wouldn’t mind a peek into my own. I’m really into these methods as poetic aids – the language of poetry – the language of symbolism – I long to become learned in the arts of magic – earth magic – faery-faith – witch-craft. I wish to take my destiny into my own hand & throw it as strongly & sturdily as a fielder throwing a baseball home. & then be the catcher – catching the ball & tagging the runner. You’re out! American symbolism. True magic!
Afternoon. I went to the corner & called Jesse on the pay phone – saying I wanted “a little” coke for Teddy’s birthday & Jesse said he’d get back to me – but that was hours ago. Now Teddy’s mad – at Jesse – for not calling all week & for telling me that when the guy called this week he didn’t want any & mad at me because I told Jesse “just a little bit” instead of a pile which is what Teddy wants – what Teddy always wants – & not nailing Jesse down on when he was gonna call back & deliver it & everything else. He’s in a terrible temper. I’m sick of him – his tantrums – his tempers – his bullshit. I don’t care if it is his birthday tomorrow – he’s acting like a baby. Try all week to make sure it’s a pleasant weekend – cocaine or no cocaine – & he’s being such an asshole! After last weekend, what does he expect from Jesse?
***
Teddy’s birthday wasn’t half-bad. The night before, I had a strip-o-gram at Buffalo General for a very sick young man – he was going to be transferred to Roswell Park very soon. I wore all white – an old nurse’s uniform that Danielle had – underneath that, a white bra & g-string & white lace garter belt & stockings – I even wore white shoes – those old white oxfords I bought back in 1980 – with the 2-inch heels – that look like something a nurse would have worn in 1950. I put my hair into a bun – all I needed was one of those old-fashioned nurse’s caps. It was a short job but the money enabled us to buy a bag of weed. Teddy had a joint to smoke on his way to work & I had 3 fat ones to greet him when he got home. We smoked one while I made breakfast – steaks, eggs & rye toast. He napped most of the afternoon – I watched a William Powell-Myrna Loy movie & took notes on the Tarot. Later – when he woke up – we ran some errands – then came home & I cooked dinner – filet mignons, baked potatoes, broccoli with cheese sauce & salad. It was great!
The only fly in the ointment was Teddy’s continuing anger with Jesse. When I called Jesse at 4 p.m., he told me he couldn’t do anything. Teddy was pissed off – “He’s just an asshole” – etc. I stayed calm. I was disappointed – disappointed because I did want to party – disappointed cuz it was Teddy’s birthday & there was no coke to celebrate with – disappointed cuz of how everything had gone down. But I was basically mellow. I mean, there was nothing I could do about it.
Well – at 7:30, the phone rang – the machine came on – we heard, “Hey Teddy, happy birthday, are you there?” – it was Jesse. Teddy vaulted for the phone. Jesse was nearby – he would be over soon. He had just scored – I was so happy – not just cuz I love doing lines – but it was great to see Teddy & Jesse friends again. I’m glad Jesse came through. I knew he had it in him.
***
Waiting for Teddy’s 11:30 call. He’s probably mowing the lawn & hasn’t looked at his watch yet. Today’s gorgeous – the first hot & sunny day we’ve had in weeks. They were prediction rain for this evening & tomorrow, though.
The weekend was wonderful – lots of work – of course – but lots of money – even though we did spend $250 on coke – but we’re not broke! We have food in the cupboards & in the fridge!
Today’s the full moon – I haven’t meditated yet today but I feel the presence of the Goddess – I woke at 10:15 a.m. – a little Missy laying on my pillow & purring – I straightened the house, then ran myself a bath – hot & steamy – soaked for a long time – then washed my hair. I still haven’t eaten – I’ve been waiting for Teddy to call – I should just start – as soon I get the egg into the pan, he’s sure to call!
Jesse’s stopping by to pick up the money we owe him. After he leaves, I suppose I’ll meditate – & give thanks? – oh, I always have something to be thankful for – I really am blessed – but there’s one thing I would so love to give thanks for – one man – one love –
Afternoon. Jesse showed up around 12:20 or so. He was in a hurry – he had lots of errands to run – but he had some toot left over from a half a gram he got last night – he & Doreen had a giant argument so he went out & got blasted – but I was really glad he thought to save a little to share with me. I rolled up a joint & we had a really nice talk – it’s true, it’s true – Jesse is really one of the best friends I’ve got. It’s hard to believe our affair began 6 years ago. My life has really changed in 6 years – but so has his. But one thing hasn’t changed – I can tell Jesse anything. He’s my Rhett Butler – talking to him is like “putting on a pair of old slippers after dancing all night in a pair of tight ones.” He’s so physical – I feel so alive when he’s around. I was in a good mood when he left. I put on my bikini & laid in the sun – oh, it felt so good – the feeling of sun-warmth on my body. I’m quite golden – now all I need is a week’s worth of sun & I’ll look wonderful!
***
Absolutely pouring. It started raining last night & it hasn’t stopped. I had terrible insomnia last night – went to bed exhausted at 10 p.m. & at midnight I was still wide awake. Sexual fantasy after fantasy – my whole body was in heat. My breasts ached – my nipples tingled – my cunt was wet – Scotty slept soundly next to me. I thought of Jesse. I replayed love scenes 6 years old. I remember every little thing – I drove myself crazy. When I finally did sleep – I dreamed of Tarot readings featuring the Emperor. One after another – & there was the Devil & the Chariot & the 3 of Swords & of course the Queen of Pentacles –
The kitty-cats are sleeping. The rain is coming down harder than ever. I’m curled up on the couch – I have a joint & a book & a cup of tea. I’m tired – I’m depressed – my back is killing me – but strangely enough – I feel serene
Ya know – it couldn’t rain any harder if it tried.
Night. Now it’s foggy – soft, swirling in the streetlight – getting thicker by the minute – dream-land fog – witch-craft fog – fog you could walk into & get lost in forever – actually it looks fake – MGM fog – any second, I expect Scarlett O’Hara to come running through the fog at the end of “Gone With The Wind” – running home to Rhett.
***
The summer solstice – it’s cool – completely overcast – looks like it could pour any second. At least it’s warm enough to have the windows open – there’s no wind.
I took a quick bike ride over to Danielle’s to return her nurse’s uniform & give her a new container of soap for her soap dispenser. I’m glad I got out – it’s a really nice day. Still threatening rain of course but really nice. The air smells really sweet. Everything is so green – & the roses are in bloom – oh how I love roses. It’s summer for sure.
***
Cool & cloudy. Cool – well, it’s 78 – but it’s been so hazy, hot & humid – close to 90 everyday. I have been working extra parties in this heat – to assure having enough money to go camping with – we leave early Wednesday morning. Today we shop – tonight, I have to dance at 9 – tomorrow, we get wood & load the trailer. I can hardly wait to go.
I’m tired – I’m achy – I’m hungover from last night’s party – I just don’t want to deal with it. I have so much to do to get ready for our vacation.
***
Oh man – so hot & humid! I could die. My shirt is soaked through. I’ve been doing laundry & packing all day. I did a lot yesterday – about half I had to do – all I could do at that time. We’re gonna eat like kings! The bill came to $150 – before coupons. The morning I made tuna-mac salad. I got my books together – pens, pencils, games, cards, 2 boxes of cassette tapes – I have four boxes total – believe me, it was no easy task deciding what to take & what to leave behind! I have the linens folded & in piles on the coffee table. They go directly into the “linen closet” in the trailer – I’m gonna stuff as many towels as possible. You can’t have too many towels! & my clothes are packed – except for one or two things in the dryer. You won’t believe the amount of clothes I’m bringing – 2 pairs of jeans, 4 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of sweatpants, 6 pairs of thick socks, 10 pairs of regular socks, 1 skirt, 2 sundresses, 6 bathing suits, 6 pairs of underwear, 4 g-strings, 3 flannel shirts, 4 cotton shirts & 17 t-shirts – even I admit that’s a bit much! Plus sneakers, sandals, mocs, my denim jacket, rain gear, hats, bandanas & my favorite grey zippered sweat-shirt. Tomorrow I’m gonna wear my blue plaid wraparound skirt, a navy blue & white summer top & a denim shirt in case it’s chilly. & it’s supposed to cool off a little – just a little – actually we’re supposed to get thunder storms & scattered showers tonight & tomorrow morning, then sunshine the rest of the week. It’s be just as hot but not humid.
Well – I gotta check on the laundry – hopefully, it’s done.
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Yesterday we got the earliest start ever – 8:30 a.m. We were here by noon – Cayuga State Park – near Seneca Falls, NY & on Cayuga Lake -we probably would have gotten here sooner if we had taken the Thruway but we took 5 & 20 – such a nice road – & there were 2 detours – plus we stopped 3 times! It was hard finding a campsite – most of them were standing water or mud. The one we picked was muddy too but we reasoned that it would dry out – which it has – pretty well. But we got totally mud-covered setting up the trailer. Plus – it was hot, humid, sticky & buggy! The bugs are amazing! Relentless! Blood-thirsty! You have to keep the bug spray on all the time. Today is cooler – low 70s – breezy – but sunny & pleasant. Tomorrow & Saturday are supposed to be hotter. Right now we’re out of the park – we’re blowing up the boat. We also stopped at Ames & bought a hatchet & a fold-up shovel. Then we stopped at the Women’s Rights National Park & looked at everything & bought a bunch of post cards. On the way back to our campsite, we’ll stop at the concession stand & buy some more postcards.
Gotta go.
A minute later. Teddy decided he had to buy gas so here we are. Just before we left Buffalo, Jesse called – he had a gram for us – payable when we return. We did it last night – with vodka & teas. We were hammered! I’m not sad it’s gone – it was fun while we had it – but now it’s pig-out time! Ribs! Chicken! Filet mignons! Salads! Peanuts & pretzels!
***
Nice quiet morning. Just got back from the showers. This morning we’re going to eat a bacon & cheese omelette – then go into town & mail our postcards – then go to the Women’s Rights National Historic Park & The Women’s Hall of Fame & the Elizabeth Cady Stanton house. In the afternoon, we’re going to the beach & launching our boat. It’s a beautiful day – not a cloud in the sky – no breeze – just warm sunshine.
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