May 7, 1971 (Letter from Barb Lucia)

Hi there you freak -- how are you doing?  The whole scene here has changed completely since you were her e-- all of a sudden out of 3 weeks of rain, today popped up -- hot and sunny, as if its' been summer for at least 6 months.  Of course everybody had to rush outside and hang out in the sun -- it's so rare to have sun in Boss-town!  All other shit is about the same -- Pam has settled down somewhat -- the crisis are only about once a month.  We had a giant quarrel and eve since have been getting along pretty well -- if we didn't live together we'd get along super -- too bad about that.  Doreen is roving around the country side every weekend singing with the band.  I never see her on weekends but she usually leaves me her car for the weekend so I'm not grounded.  Things are really dead.  I know some day soon I'm just going to bolt, pack up my belongings, take Harry and stick out my thumb toward the Cape.  Wait and see -- the job things is the hassle -- I haven't spoken to "the man" about it yet -- I haven't any plans - -so what can I tell him?  Fuck.  How are your plans -- will it be Buffalo for the summer?  I imagine you're right in the middle of papers, finals, etc.  I had to do one paper for my class and it was such an effort -- I can't imagine being in school full-time now!  You know when you were sick in February?  Well, I had the same shit all this week -- my throat was hanging out -- I got a Dr's appointment and got some penicillin -- he thought it might be mono and I could see myself in bed all summer! -- but I don't think it is.  Such shit.  All I did this week was rest after work, and work on my paper.  I went out last nite to a party at Teddy's -- forgot what it's like to go out.  Got stoned and generally hung out.

Did I tell you I went home -- I guess I did, huh?  The week after you were here.  I really enjoyed being home for the weekend -- now how's that for culture shock?  I visited Mrs. P, went up to Rimrock and clonked around -- - it was nice, didn't mind it at all.  I tried to call Joan from home but couldn't locate her so I called her after I got back.  She had just gotten home from work (at a store) and sounded pretty good.  1st thing she asked me was if I saw her mother.  Now how could I see her mother -- they wouldn't let me in the house I'm sure.  Joan's heard from her father and from Carol but of course her mother is being a martyr -- I know that it really bothers Joan -- I wish her mother would give in a little -- what a jerk she is.

Well, I am the last one left in the office -- this 9-5 is for shit when it's nice out -- what's up for the weekend -- ever since I've been sick all I've wanted to do is rest -- get out of my rocker and go.

Me and Nancy went to the Vineyard one weekend just looking around and froze our asses off at nigh t-- things do not look encouraging for a job there -- but when do things ever look encouraging -- the thing is to go it and if it doesn't work out -- move on.  Right?  Duh.  I don't know.

I wonder how things are with the Minneapolis people -- haven't heard from Mardi in awhile -- if they go to the Bahamas or Florida with Mr. Sayles I'll kill Mardi!  Not that I want to go to Florida, but I just want to go somewhere.  If Anderson ever saves the money he should get a gold medal; and a slap on the back -- what a superhuman feat!  Everyone seems so far away -- all the people I want to see are halfway across the fucking country and here I am going to work every day -- doo-doo-doo.   As you may be able to tell, I am discouraged about the whole deal -- and any words of wisdom are appreciated.  I just feel that nothing will ever go right -- and if they do -- it will only be for a little while -- blah.  Forget all this schlopp and have a happy spring -- write soon and take care.

February 18, 1971 (Letter from Barb Lucia)

Hi there boobie -- have you forgotten your long lost roomie -- due to my great letter writing lately, I am losing every friend I ever had!

How's your semester going?  My life is at its usual February peak -- whoopee.  Both my roommates are away all this week -- one is a teacher and gets the week off and Pam has the week off too -- so they're tripping the light fantastic around the countryside -- so it's me and the dog holding things down here.  I am still spaced from last weekend -- duh!  I went up to Maine with a chick friend and stayed at a farmhouse 2/ a million freaks -- loaded from the word go.  I've never seen so much dope in one place -- bricks and bricks or hash on the kitchen table, canisters of grass, a canister of cocaine (powder) -- another one of orange acid -- what a freaky weekend.  I was waking up at night getting hits in my sleep -- they were doing cocaine but I passed on that one -- stuck with the smoke and the hash brownies.  They had a little kid about 2 years old who was up all night tripping-- she got into the acid.  Hey, safe!  I drove home through the mounds of snow not knowing shit -- duh!  And I was driving a standard which took my utmost concentration just to stay on the road.  This week itself was quiet -- I finally went to a doctor and got some BCP pills -- now in case I ever screw again -- oh such immoral lives we lead.  Speaking of the famed subject -- I got a letter form Mrs. Joan Stevens of Fayetteville, N. Carolina -- know her?  Yes, Joanie Pic did it -- she had a miscarriage while still at Clarion.  She sounds good in the letter.  I'm still freaked by the whole thing.  I heard through the Warren grapevine that Margie and Ward have completely disinherited her of the family fortunate.  Did you ever meet Freddie?  I can't remember if you did or not.  God, I can just see Joan's parents when she told them -- I guess Joan will never be in Warren again!  True to our predictions, Renee was 1st, then Joan -- now it's a toss-up between Tina and Mardi.  I don't know if Bill and Mardi will even bother to get married.  Can you see Anderson at a wedding -- not bombed!

So much for Joan and Renee and Mark.  When's he getting hitched?  I wish Mrs. P and Mr. Sayles would have a wedding so we could go to it but if they do get married, I don't think they'll have a big deal.

More news from the home front -- Timmy flunked out of Edinboro.  I don't know how that can be done but he did it.  So now he's home and happy about it.  He has to get a job and pay back a $400 bank loan cause he didn't get his state money naturally since he didn't pass.  My father is there, "Well, that's three out of three!"  He's so witty!  Of course, we're all so stable anyway.  Timmy is making me look sensible lately.  Of course, I haven't done anything drastic lately either.  What's up for the summer?  Or should I ask?  I've got the urge for going but I also have got a good job (I don't believe I just said that -- oh I've got a good job!)  Of course I won't decide anything until the summer is upon us -- can't feature a pleasant summer in Roxbury, with the garbage, heat, etc.  Yech, I'd have to have a damn good reason to stay here and I don't have a good reason!  So there.

Mardi and Bill are looking for a new place (that's new) -- they still have no money.  Hey, dink, did you get my valentine -- I'm so cute, sending valentines -- I even sent none to Mrs. P cause I knew she'd send me one.

Well, kiddo, have to close now -- just hang in there till spring.  Mardi says she's coming out here in the spring -- hell will freeze over too.  If you get a vacation you come too -- you're always welcome and we could all be together again -- wouldn't that be neato, Paul?  (Take out the garbage!)  Take care and write.  Peace and love and all that.