The red envelope was addressed to the previous owner. This wasn't the first time I collected her mail. I usually wrote “change of address” and threw the correspondence back in a mailbox. The envelope probably contained season's greetings as we were right in the middle of December.
In view of the fact that we had moved in at the beginning of March and since the addressee had neglected to inform these people, I concluded they were not very close and opened it.
In a photo, a little boy stuck out his tongue. The child, dressed in Spider-Man pajamas, waved an unidentifiable handcraft. A sheet of paper filled with narrow handwriting slid onto the table. I started reading, all the while promising myself that should the contents justify it, I would forward it to the new address.
My Dear Dorothy,
Through my grandson Tobias, I send you and Bill my wish for good health. As you can see, our cherub does not lack talent! He fills his family with pride.
Your turn! Has Gabrielle met someone? Does she still live in Toronto? To think that she and I are in the same city ... we never see each other!
Tuscany seduced Yoshiro and I so much that we extended our stay. Andorra will be for February, then Kenya later on —whenever our work schedule will allow it.
Indeed, since Yoshiro became partner, his hours have greatly increased. On my end, the clients are piling up. In the evenings, we eat at a restaurant before going to the opera.
I hope that we will brunch together this year.
Love,
Rhoda
During my initial visits before purchasing the condo, as well as upon signing the deed, I had run into this Dorothy for whom the correspondence was intended. She was a cold character who spoke with arrogance. Even worse, she showed signs of impatience toward her aging husband. Perhaps there existed many reasons to explain this behavior, but nonetheless, Dorothy aroused no sympathy in me.
What if I pretended to be her? What a good lesson! Rapt with excitement, like a child about to steal a candy, I reread the note. Rhoda and Yoshiro —Tobias. Bill, Dorothy, Gabrielle. I searched on the Internet for the most popular vacation spots, selected a card from the desk drawer and uncapped my pen.
Dearest Rhoda,
Thank you for your wishes. I'm sending you and Yoshiro happy thoughts in return.
The past year has kept us really busy. Gstaad first, with some friends last winter. Then St. Barths, because come on, we needed heat!
We will stay in Montreal for the Gourmet food festival, which Bill and I would not miss for the world. In March, the Cape.
All right: let's brunch together!
Yours,
Dorothy
P.S. Why does Tobias stick his tongue out?
That was my closing line. Mentioning fictitious activities did not bother me: Réjean and I have chosen a different life. We carefully plan what we spend, without resentment. My husband directs plays in vanguard theaters. Practicing the piano brings me a constantly renewed happiness, and I compose pieces for children.
A reply came through at the end of February.
Dear Dorothy,
I see you are enjoying pleasures as prestigious as always.
You're not telling me how Gabrielle is doing. Still single?
Tobias is sticking his tongue out because he is a lively little boy who does not let a photo shoot bother him. Incidentally, he's wearing a superhero jumper because he has a strong personality: can you imagine that he refused to put on the shirt we chose for the picture!
We are back from Andorra. A dreadful climate, greasy food, and we did not run into anyone famous.
What advice would you give for a first safari? Arlège created a special range for warm destinations. Have you tried them? Of course, the hotel will have its own spa, but I'd rather not take this lightly.
Yours,
Rhoda
Sighing, I set the letter on the table. I had succeeded in usurping someone's identity with distressing easiness. To what degree was Dorothy predictable? On the other hand, I did not hesitate to label strangers. Furthermore, both couples donated some of their money to the arts. What were they really made of? I decided to hit hard in order to solve the enigma.
Rhoda,
I have a different memory of Andorra. Did you know I briefly traveled there as a teenager? I was very keen on horseback riding. It was during that stay that I met my first love ...
Gabrielle did not meet a man, if that is what you're asking. It may be that she loves women. It may be that she is dating a teacher. How would that make you feel if I confirmed it to you in a future letter?
As for me, I enrolled as a volunteer at a single-mothers' support service. After so much frivolousness, being useful gives my life new meaning.
I wish you the same.
Your old friend,
Dorothy
The reply arrived by return post.
Dorothy,
Have you considered consulting a neurologist?
For starters, I assumed Bill was your first and only love. That you had a fling with a stranger as a teenager, so be it. But how dare you talk about your daughter like that? You should be ashamed of yourself. You don't mess with that kind of thing.
Next, what is that volunteering story about? My dear, if those women have children in this day and age, it is entirely their fault. Beware of diseases, wear gloves, and don't get too close to the newborns.
Write soon, please. I am VERY worried.
Rhoda
Rhoda,
I immediately meet your demand.
My name is not Dorothy. It is Careen.
Upon receiving the letter addressed to Dorothy, I responded. Mea culpa.
If the illustrious Gabrielle loved women, can you specify how it would cause harm to anyone? Would her orientation provoke a third world war?
As for these single mothers, do you really think they deserve your contempt, on top of everything else? And their children? Are they born inferior to others? In your opinion, do existence's vicissitudes play a role in life?
I leave you with these considerations.
Careen
Several months went by. I sometimes thought about Rhoda. Was she mad at me? Would her next communication emanate from her lawyer? Then one day, I received the following lines.
Good morning, Careen,
Since your last two letters, a rage has been boiling inside me like a witch's soup. I'm seeing an analyst; together, we're sorting out my life. Time is precious.
I shall not reveal to you whether Dorothy's daughter prefers men or women, but I have always loved her tremendously, and there is no reason for that to change. I contacted her, and we had an unforgettable evening. Gabrielle confided in me the way she never could with her own mother. This trust touched me to the core, and I owe it to you.
I showed your second to last letter to Yoshiro. The poor darling almost choked while drinking his sherry. We laughed hysterically, something we hadn't done in decades. One must say, you didn't go in with half measures. What an accumulation of stunning revelations! … During the following weeks, we each brought up unusual topics in our conversations. Quirky proposals. And then we decided to make sweeping changes to our life.
So, getting back to the New Year's wishes, yes, Tobias sticks his tongue out, and he is wearing an inappropriate costume for this traditional picture. Red overalls, a Santa Claus or snowman outfit, why not? However he insisted on wearing that instead, and his parents let it happen because they have absolutely no authority over him whatsoever. They set no limits for him, and when they come home at night, they don't even have ten minutes to give him. They ditch him in front of video games or the television. Those habits make me sick.
This, among other reasons, is why we decided to move to Montreal. Every now and then, we will take Tobias for a couple of days. We will show him our values. I bet we will all need time to adjust, but I believe it will be a salvation.
We arrive at the end of the month to visit condos. We long for a challenge—and God knows we can afford the risk!
My dear Careen, I cannot thank you enough for your clever trick. Would you agree to meet me?
Yours truly,
Rhoda
Hello, Rhoda,
I am quite embarrassed you know, I shouldn't have intervened. I had no right to judge you. I will be happy to meet you. Call me at the number below. I added Dorothy's new address.
Thank you!
Thank you, Careen.
I don't need Dorothy's address. I understand your desire to apologize. You gambled ... and we both won. See you soon!
Yours,
Rhoda
Thank you so much, Anna & Denis, for helping me translate this story!
photo © https://unsplash.com/photos/ZeTlWEBzHHo