Looking up my Past

 My year of mourning slipped away, and we bought a cabin which we could not use until November, but it proved that we were richer and could enjoy a new lifestyle, which we had not been able to afford until the Levi’s stock went public and we came into a lot of money.  I felt better and better, even though Bill said he was too upset to stay at Berkeley, and he continued to slip into his depression.  I ignored him, because I was rising myself.  I was writing my book about my safehouse experience, and I found an editor, Renate Stendal, who encouraged me.  We were enthusiastic about its possibilities.  I was also making friends and seeing friends.  My best friend was still in Santa Cruz, and we got together often, and I was also still seeing Lin, and then my new friends in Berkeley like Sandra and Anne and Marianne bolstered my mood.  Bill didn’t like it, but he still Had Omba, and they joined a men’s group together.  Deb, his wife, and I became   friends as well.  

We were in hog heaven, with this new group of people, and I saw myself as an up-and-coming writer.  It didn’t turn out to be true, but it might have been, if I had had a better editor, or a more scrupulous one.  I didn’t’ and among my regrets are that the book was dedicated to her.  Oh, well, that is the way the ball bounces.

I really was happy, and I ignored Bill most of the time, and we actually got along well.  Riyad graduated from high school, and though he was wait listed by a lot of his choices, he did get into Macalester College, and I insisted he go, because he and Julianna were not going to end up at Santa Cruz together, except they both did.  But that was later.  After His graduation, we all took a trip to Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, with Ireland high on our list.  We had a deep connection to Mikal and Sandra, especially after we had organized things to reflect Sandra and Sa’id getting benefits for many years.  We had a great time with them, and it cemented our connection forever.  

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