So you sew! Wowie Zowie a-zing-a-zang-zong. Remember that expression from when we were in second grade and we would walk around the neighborhood after playing kick the can in the SUMMER?
Summer. Ahhh, the season SANDWICHED between spring and fall.
You mentioned me coming to your cottage on Nantucket! Amazing. When? I need dates, as my Month-At-A-Glance is getting very, veeery full.
You have certainly made me wicked curious about the seven weeks that followed your learning-how-to-sew day at Stacey Simon’s oceanfront house. Was that the last time you saw her? Did she wear her famous jean jacket all summer? Did you confront her about always being a bitch to me? I’m sure you confronted her and told her how conceited she is and how she has been so very rude (ARE-YOU-D-E) to your necklace-splitting BFF. That would be ME. Just sayin’.
You said “on island” a ton. Do people on Nantucket use the word THE? ON THE ISLAND. Or is THE more of an OFF ISLAND kinda word?
I did save my old sheets, and I will absolutely think about your offer to sew them into something else.
I have auditions tomorrow and will obviously be booked super solid with my boyfriend (C.P. Caparelli) over the weekend, but call me. Oh wait, are you guys allowed to use your IN TOWN phone or are you still staying “present”?
I love you sew much . . .
Tara
Dear Matt,
See, I remembered your name.
Matt, I was moved to write you this note because I’ve never seen a Freshman boy be so amazin’ on that stage. I love that song—“Dogs in the Yard”—but I never got it until you sang it. The way you interpreted those lyrics . . . I was like, “I wonder what this very young boy wants in life? He seems to have many a story to tell, which is a most rare thing in this town. So he wants to go crazy, he passionately sings, much like dogs do in yards. Does he want to rip off his ‘collar’ and hop the suburban fence? What is it he wants?” See, an audition such as yours makes a tried-and-true super-talent such as me ask the deeper questions. Wow, Matt! Just wow. Kudos to you. And you’re a real good dancer, too, Matt.
I had a vision that you were Danny and I was Sandy. But even if you don’t get the part I will never forget that audition, Matt.
And hey, what was up with you and Joy Bernstein? I, like, saw you guys flirtin’? Do you have a crush on her? Are you sleepin’ with her, Matt? Joy is very calculating, Matt. Just be careful. She thinks ’cuz her hair is long and curly that she’s better than people. And she’s only a Sophomore. Do you like her voice?
Very, veeeeerrrry good job today. Your big sister is very proud.
Be good,
Tara (Maureen Murphy)
Dear Tara,
Thanks a lot. You thinking I was good at auditions means a lot, especially coming from you because you’re Chris’s girlfriend and your opinion means a lot. Also, you were pretty awesome—I mean very good—up there. And your dance was amazing. Was that Irish step?
I just met Joy Bernstein today. We weren’t flirting. Just talking. Her hair is really long and super curly. Kinda like Daisy’s from Mystic Pizza. Um, yeah. I think her voice is amazingly good.
That would be awesome if you were Sandy and I was Danny. Chris’s neighbor and his girlfriend playing the leads in Grease?! Cool!! I guess we’ll find out tomorrow morning.
Good luck!
Your little brother,
Matt (Bloom)
MATT!!!!
OH MY GOD!!! “I’m Joy Rebecca Bernstein, and I hoodwink directors and bamboozle theater systems so I can steal parts that belong to Tara Maureen Murphy!” That conniving little girl-child is trying to make me look bad. We get it, Joy! You can sing to the back of the theater . . . This just in, hon . . . doesn’t mean the back of the theater is likin’ what they’re hearin’!! Only in this town would directors think louder is better. I’m a friggin’ SENIOR, Matt! I’m Tara Maureen Murphy!! Co-captain of the cheerleaders and a theater star. And you’re tellin’ me I am playing Patty Simcox?!!!? Patty friggin’ Simcox???? She’s like the Heather Gould of characters. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! I hate it here!! I’m way too big for this town.
Oh, and congratulations, Matt. You will be a great Danny Zuko.
Tara
OCTOBER 1991
T-baby,
I’m wicked sorry about last night. My answering machine broke, so I didn’t even know you called. I was just playing street hockey with Tzoug and Dube. And obviously talkin’ about you. But I didn’t hear my phone ringing ’cuz I was outside.
I gotta take a friggin’ Spanish test today, which sucks ball sack. Hola and jugar al tenis can kiss my culo. I wish we could take Canadian instead of Spanish ’cuz at least they have hockey so I could communicate if I moved there.
Oh, Friday night Perroni’s parents are outta town and she’s having a bender. I say we go. We going?
Peace in the Middle East.
You’re the tits.
Love you, baby,
C.P.C.
Chris,
Your answering machine broke?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Oh, I’m soooo sorry to hear that, Chris. I just hate when answering machines break, because then you don’t know that your girlfriend called 30 friggin’ times because she was crying because she was WICKED UPSET ABOUT A TON OF THINGS!!!!!!
I’m so glad you got to play
