Good Riddance(35)

Be reasonable, I told myself. Five grand every three months would be a shot in the arm for someone living on subpar alimony checks.

I knew whom I’d not be asking for advice: Tom Maritch, who would surely consider this the buying and selling of my affections. Not to mention a violation of the promise Armstrong had allegedly made not to butt into my life. And the last thing I wanted to hear was my widowed dog-walker father saying I should return this and every subsequent check because he’d match it.

So I did nothing except walk the three blocks to my bank and deposit the check as fast as the ATM could take it. I chose print receipt not just for security but for show-and-tell, to say, Not only am I going for the Select and Silver cable programming, but I might even buy a flat-screen TV! I was sketching that whole high-fiving, glasses-clinking scene when, back in my building’s lobby, I spotted a fur-coated Geneva. Usually, I ducked into the mailroom to avoid her, but today I was feeling up to the task.

“You’re looking pleased with yourself,” she said as we watched the elevator readout descend to L.

Was that any way to greet a neighbor? I didn’t think so. I said only, “Life is good.”

“Ditto,” she said.

To engage or not to engage? I waited until we were in the elevator before asking, “Anything new with the documentary?”

“Which one?”

Oh, really—which documentary of the many you’ve been juggling? I said, “I forget. Either The Sorrow and the Pity or the one about my mother’s Pickering, New Hampshire, yearbook.”

“The latter. It’s moving forward. In fact, it’s on the front burner.”

What would that mean in the Geneva world of sketchy, underachieving work? “How so?”

“I’ve been talking to your mother’s students.”

“In person? On the phone?”

The familiar thud of the elevator meant we’d reached our floor. “Do you want to hear more?” Geneva asked.

Without waiting for an answer, she followed me to my apartment. I looked at my watch. Five minutes to 4. “Tea?” I asked.

“Well, that’s a surprise.”

I knew what she meant: a surprise to see a show of hospitality from hostile me. Without removing her coat, she took a seat in the living room while I put water on to boil. When I returned, she was on her phone, holding up a finger to ward off an interruption. How rude was that, silencing the host? Back in the kitchen, I entertained myself by rereading the letter that had accompanied my check, posted on my refrigerator until my dad’s next visit.

“Okay!” I heard.

I didn’t join her. “You’re free now? Because I’d hate to interrupt.”

“Do you have green tea?” she asked.

Back in her presence, having grabbed a dented box of generic supermarket tea bags, I asked, “No. This okay?”

She shrugged.

I asked in more neighborly fashion what she was learning from my mother’s students.

“It’s still being tallied,” she said.

Tallied? I asked if that meant she’d taken some kind of count? Or a poll?

“I sent a questionnaire.”

“About what?”

Her nonanswer: “I had it printed up at FedEx for the ones who don’t do email.”

I asked if I could see a copy. She twisted her mouth this way and that as she frown-scrolled through attachments, then handed me her phone. I read:

Did you know Mrs. June Winter Maritch? Yes ___ No ___

If so, in what capacity? Teacher ___ Advisor ___ Other ___

On a scale of 1 to 5, how well did you know her??1?2?3?4?5

Did she sign your yearbook? Yes ___ No ___

If so, please quote what she wrote: _____________________

Do you still have your copy of The Monadnockian?

Yes ___ No ___

If inscribed, would you be willing to lend it to Gal Friday Films? Yes ___ No ___

You are Male ___ Female ___

Which of these reunions did you personally attend:

(Circle all that apply) 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th

If you did attend, did you see Mrs. Maritch or speak to her?

Yes ___ No ___ (note which reunion) _______

If yes, please describe your exchange(s)_________________________________________________________________

Do you have any photos of her teaching ___ coaching ___chaperoning ___ dancing ___drinking ___ other ___

Did you ever hear rumors regarding her personal life?

(Even if just student gossip) Yes ___ No ___

If so, please describe: _______________________________

Other impressions: _________________________________________________________________________________

Do you recall her husband attending reunions with her?

Rarely ___ Always ___ Never ___ I don’t know ___

Did you meet her daughter, Daphne Maritch, at the November reunion? Yes ___ No ___

If so, can you briefly describe that encounter?________________________________________________________________________________________________

Did you attend Mrs. Maritch’s funeral? Yes ___ No ___





If you have other memories, comments, or observations, feel free to attach an additional sheet. Please provide your name, email, daytime, evening, and cell phone numbers. Thanks!