The Candy House(79)

Sincerely,

Joseph Kisarian


Henry Pomeranz→Joseph Kisarian

What a shit show, Joe. I’m so sorry.


Joe→Henry

There are beautiful moments with the babies, but Lulu is not herself.


Henry→Joe

Anything I can do to help? Other than file this letter?


Joe→Henry

I wish there were a way for her to communicate with other Citizen Agents. I believe her isolation is damaging.


Henry→Joe

Cuts across too many security firewalls, as you well know.


Joe→Henry

I helped to build them, yet I can’t remove them.


Henry→Joe

She thinks we’re using her to watch you? Is that it?


Joe→Henry

Her words on the subject are guarded, as if an enemy were listening. And this creates distance between us.


Henry→Joe

Christ.


Joe→Henry

My hope is that, on her own, Lulu will find a solution that she can’t when I’m beside her day and night. I have enormous faith in her resources.


Dolly Peale→Joseph Kisarian

Dear Jojo,

I’m looking forward to being in the apartment and helping Lu with the babies the first two weeks you’re back at work. But I’d also love your advice on how to become closer to Lu. There is a gap between us that must have to do with her service, which I know she can’t discuss. But looking back, I wonder if this gap had already appeared before she left. I am racked by worry and guilt over choices I made long ago, and wondering what I can do to help Lu—and us.

I trust your instincts and will follow your advice.

Love, Dodo


Joseph Kisarian→Dolly Peale Dear Dodo,

Lulu has basked in your love the whole of her life, and that is what matters. Please ease your mind. Your help with the babies will be invaluable, giving Lulu time to (hopefully) reconnect with old friends online, and perhaps even in person. I’m so grateful to you for this. Omar and Festa adore their grandma, as do we.

Love, Jojo





2


Lulu Kisarian→Kitty Jackson

Dear Kitty Jackson,

We haven’t seen each other in decades, but we are not strangers. You may remember me as the 9-year-old girl who accompanied you on a secret visit to X, then ruled by General B, with my mother, Dolly Peale, 26 years ago (!). My mother and I have celebrated your many professional triumphs since that strange and otherworldly journey.

I’m writing very much out of the blue, I know. I’ve had a craving to reconnect with you ever since I returned two years ago from a hard overseas stint of my own that made me think about our trip to X and imagine what it must have been like for you. But also, last week I watched your most recent film, Dazzle Me Sideways, with Jazz Attenborough. I need very urgently to correspond with Mr. Attenborough. Can you please help me get in touch with him?

Awaiting your reply, Lulu Peale Kisarian


Ashleigh Avila→Lulu Kisarian

Dear Ms. Kisarian,

Ms. Jackson thanks you for your recent email. She is, unfortunately, not able to make introductions to fellow actors, and suggests that you write to Mr. Attenborough via his publicist, or perhaps his social media accounts.

With best wishes, Ashleigh Avila


Lulu Kisarian→Kitty Jackson

Dear Kitty,

I am not some crazed fan deserving of an assistant’s reply. I am the daughter of Dolly Peale, the publicist who single-handedly revived your career in 2008. I am also a 35-year-old professional with many years of successful music industry work behind me, including helping to produce Scotty Hausmann’s Footprint Concert fourteen years ago.

I am asking, politely and respectfully, for your help in reaching Mr. Attenborough. It is not a lot to ask, considering what my mother did for you.

Awaiting your reply, Lulu Kisarian


FWD: Ashleigh Avila→Kitty Jackson

See below. Polite “no”?


Kitty→Ashleigh

Just realized who she is. Will handle.


Kitty Jackson→Lulu Kisarian; bcc: Ashleigh Avila

Dear Lulu,

Wowowowowowowowow… is it really you?!? So sorry you got caught in the snares of my manager/publicist/assistant/mama bear, who tries to make things (and people) disappear without my knowing they ever existed!

I’ve spent the past fifteen minutes catching up on your achievements. Scotty Hausmann’s Footprint Concert… What????? SOOOOO IMPRESSED!!! I’ve pretended that I was AT that concert, but I’ll know better than to try that with you! I trust your mom is alive and well? Send news! And tell me, of course, how I can help.

Xxxxoooo Love, Kitty


Lulu→Kitty

Dear Kitty,

It’s exciting to hear back from you in a voice I remember as yours. I’m still recovering from a period of overseas service that has left me with a reconstructed right shoulder. It has brought me to a state of reckoning that I somehow think you will recognize: I can’t return to the life I had before, but I can’t move forward without resolving some unfinished personal business.

All of which leads me to Jazz Attenborough. Maybe, as a starting point, you could tell me what he’s like as a person? He seems not to give interviews, which makes it hard to get any sense of him online. Because of our shared history, your impressions would mean a lot to me.