Ruins
In the middle of the 20th century, a letter from the middle of America to the middle of -- somewhere:
Dearest John,
When I saw what's new at Holliday Park, I thought of you.
Someone tore down an old building in New York with these statues in the facade. They look a lot like the pillars of that Persian palace you explored a few years ago, or maybe something Greek or Roman. They've been brought here to Indianapolis, to the park. And you'll love this -- they are set up to look like ruins!
Yes, I know you've seen the real thing. I still have the pictures you sent me from that Greek island. And the photographs from the Assyrian temple. And the pictures of that Pharoah's palace you helped find. But it turns out that these New York "ruins" were made of Indiana limestone, so it's like they're coming home.
Mother sends her regards. Father has been pestering me about when you're going to come back. You'd think he was eager to pay for the wedding, the way he goes on. Still, it has been over a year this time. When you were digging out that old stone castle in Burma, you told me that would be your last one. I don't mean to go on about it, I know how important your work is to you. How are things in China?
For me, the park is as exotic as my travels get. But that is going to change. You see, a few weeks ago I met this gentleman, and we've become friends. He helped me get out from behind that sales counter at Ayres and dive into the pool of accountants in his firm.
I don't want to distress you with this, but we have gotten closer. We find so much to talk about. We've been to the symphony, and a play. But mostly, it's just having this other person to talk to, face to face, that has meant so much.
I wanted to write this to you first, before I talk to my parents. I'm a grown woman, but I know they still want to have their say. Still, I have made up my mind. My new friend has invited me to go with him for a few weeks to his family's estate in New York, near the city, and I am going. In his photos, it looks like a grand old house, but buildings don't impress me as much as the people inside.
I want to you feel free in your pursuits. You seem most happy to be on some desert mountain or in the jungle, looking through old palaces and temples. It's as though you always have to be out there, looking for something. I hope someday you find it.
With fondest affection,
Katherine
- - - - -
Entry for LJ Idol: Season 9, Week 3, Topic: In Another Castle.
(This is a work of fiction, but the "Ruins" of Indy's Holliday Park are real.)
Big thanks to the_dark_snack for her help. For her entry: Games people play.
Dearest John,
When I saw what's new at Holliday Park, I thought of you.
Someone tore down an old building in New York with these statues in the facade. They look a lot like the pillars of that Persian palace you explored a few years ago, or maybe something Greek or Roman. They've been brought here to Indianapolis, to the park. And you'll love this -- they are set up to look like ruins!
Yes, I know you've seen the real thing. I still have the pictures you sent me from that Greek island. And the photographs from the Assyrian temple. And the pictures of that Pharoah's palace you helped find. But it turns out that these New York "ruins" were made of Indiana limestone, so it's like they're coming home.
Mother sends her regards. Father has been pestering me about when you're going to come back. You'd think he was eager to pay for the wedding, the way he goes on. Still, it has been over a year this time. When you were digging out that old stone castle in Burma, you told me that would be your last one. I don't mean to go on about it, I know how important your work is to you. How are things in China?
For me, the park is as exotic as my travels get. But that is going to change. You see, a few weeks ago I met this gentleman, and we've become friends. He helped me get out from behind that sales counter at Ayres and dive into the pool of accountants in his firm.
I don't want to distress you with this, but we have gotten closer. We find so much to talk about. We've been to the symphony, and a play. But mostly, it's just having this other person to talk to, face to face, that has meant so much.
I wanted to write this to you first, before I talk to my parents. I'm a grown woman, but I know they still want to have their say. Still, I have made up my mind. My new friend has invited me to go with him for a few weeks to his family's estate in New York, near the city, and I am going. In his photos, it looks like a grand old house, but buildings don't impress me as much as the people inside.
I want to you feel free in your pursuits. You seem most happy to be on some desert mountain or in the jungle, looking through old palaces and temples. It's as though you always have to be out there, looking for something. I hope someday you find it.
With fondest affection,
Katherine
- - - - -
Entry for LJ Idol: Season 9, Week 3, Topic: In Another Castle.
(This is a work of fiction, but the "Ruins" of Indy's Holliday Park are real.)
Big thanks to the_dark_snack for her help. For her entry: Games people play.