Chapter 10

Helene tells story of leaving first husband, David. Hettie mentions Helene’s drinking and smoking as detriment to health, says she’s worried and loves her. Helene is ill but doesn’t reveal with what. Hettie complains: twenty-nine homeworks each week, Helene used to correct freshman English papers for Ed in Idaho. Despite illness, she’s getting to studio. Hettie’s work schedule continues to be overwhelming, though between classes one day she has dinner with Marie Ponsot and Jean Valentine, “the two of them really nice.” Big reading “Event” at Bedford “was fabulous.” Hettie even hears from superintendent of prison: “she heard it was great.” Amazing trip to Pennsylvania in “all that incredible color as I drove through the mountains.” Helene continues to get work from New York publishers; Gerrit Lansing’s companion Deryk Burton has died. Helene’s blood pressure is up, she is taking new medicine, and now her cat is sick as well.