Chapter 38
Frida Rodriguez ... En Route La La Land
January 18, 1993
Los Angeles, CA
Fair Kate,
It feels weird – good weird – writing to you again after a month of phone calls. I’ve got your mixtape playing in the background. I still laugh every time you sing “Lean on Me.” Do not quit your day job to try out for Star Search !
I could tell you what I’m about to write over the phone, but I want to put this on paper for posterity. I’m going back to France! You’re never going to believe it, but Lejla showed up at La Louisiane looking for me. Somehow she ran into Kirby and he gave her my address in L.A. She wrote and said it’s getting worse in Bosnia than anything we see on the news, which doesn’t seem possible since the news is sickening. She brought lists of books the students need, and she’s working with organizations like the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly that’s setting up sites for donated materials around Europe. Reading her letter, I felt detestable. I should have been in Paris when she arrived. I should have been reaching out to college newspapers around the U.S. like I talked about with her and Irena to raise awareness for their project. And who is going to help her get books into Sarajevo? They can’t just be mailed. I have contacts now. Niko! Harry Hairy! Bobbie! Every time a journalist comes out and goes back in, they can do it – book by book. Why not?
Speaking of Kirby. Confession: I didn’t tell you this before because I wasn’t sure how he’d respond, but I wrote him a letter telling him he was right and I’m really sorry for being such a stubborn jerk. You know what he replied? “Who cares who’s right? I’m just glad you’re safe.” Talk about making me feel even worse – but better too. I can’t imagine being back in Paris without him. A Pop Rocks personality like me needs a stable Kirby in her life.
I’m terrified I’m going to blow my big comeback so whenever you see me doing something stupid – BIG stupid, not my usual daily stupid – kick me in the seat of the pants and set me straight.
Imperfectly yours,
Frida
P.S. I’ll be in Paris in two weeks so send your reply to the hotel.