A letter from Aimée

I doubt that there’s anything here you don’t know, but it bears repeating and remembering.

We were so young when we met—must have been 18/19, but you seemed infinitely wiser, more together, and of course, smarter. Then as now, you never seemed to get agitated or anxious, yet nothing got past you. Always calm and serious, except when you smiled. Even then, your crinkly smile could excite a room. I sometimes wondered if you deployed it knowingly to catch people off guard, relax them, win them over. And you seemed so worldly to me, casual and confident among all those men.

We were both quiet but in such different ways. At least it seemed so. My introversion was fueled by anxiety and confusion. Yours seemed to be a knowing and comfortable choice. That impression, whether accurate or not, helped to ground and reassure me going forward.

Other than our mutual connection through Wigs Frank, I’m not exactly sure how you and I became friends enough to stay connected, but I so loved visiting your family’s magical world on CPW. I ALWAYS thought of Stuart Little’s home and family when picturing your parents’ apartment. I didn’t know or retain many of the tragic and troubled family details, but I loved your mother’s welcoming warmth and envied you having a little sister.

When you vanished to the Middle East I had no idea where you’d gone or why, but I was still in my own vortex. Did we see each other in NY after you returned? I don’t think so. By 1979 I was in CA with Marty. I thought of you more as someone I admired than a peer.

Maybe we have Peter & Nancy to thank for bringing us back together as “regular friends”? You and David came out to visit them, and I think that was the next time I saw you? Not sure of the year except that Nancy was remodeling the house, so you were staying in their rental. [Nancy once told me that you and David were both reading books on the elevator up to some prenuptial event at Windows on the World, and that’s when she knew you were meant for each other!]

Seeing you and David in Meribel must have come after that? 1987. I am so glad we had that time together, the National Park, the chance to get to know David and maybe let Graham encourage you, if you needed any encouragement!, to bring Edward and Simon into the world.

After that, more visits in Paris and LA, and it started to feel like a genuine lifelong friendship. I’m so glad and grateful for that, Marguey. And for the providence that brought you to LA last year and me to Lisbon this spring. Those were the best visits of all. I still look up to you. Always will. But I also cherish you now as a sister.

Today I simply want to thank you for always unswervingly being you. I send you and David and your whole family love and strength and peace. Please know that you are truly treasured and embraced by love.

Always,

Aimee