Love Letter 2 – Tonga Room

Love Letter 2 – Tonga Room

I plant myself on the high-backed bar stool and snack fervently on cashews and raisins following a late afternoon jog. The bright recessed lighting casts hand shadows upon the next of Mom’s handwritten love letters as well as upon the humorous ‘genie gem’ card – themes that will undoubtedly continue throughout this journey: love and fun! I crank ‘exoctic tiki music mix’ from the lone living room speaker and dive back into California in 1960 escorted by Mom’s Love Letter 2:

Apt #102 2331 Blake
Sept 3/60

Hi Honey!
I love you so very much, dear!
Bryan do you realize we have been apart for 4 days and it seems like years – oh honey I miss you so!
Thursday my friends (Phylis & Carole) came over pc work and we gabbed and had a beer then off to the big city for a few drinks. Honestly dear it was nice to see the girls and all, but going into some of our familiar spots nearly put an end to me. (Tonga Room and Red Garter) – it just wasn’t the same and every minute I had you on my mind – poor kids sure picked a poor chauffeur – I really don’t care if I go over to San Fran anymore.
Yesterday was a day of all days!!
Around 2 in the afternoon Mrs Foster (the witch) (Director of Nursing at Alta Bates – “head wig”) called me into her office and we 3 (another head-wig) had a chat.
The first thing she said was “well dear since your fiancé has left Berkeley I will be putting you on nite duty (11pm-7am) for an indefinite period.” – you should have heard me dear – I talked & I told them what I thought of this place  (how I truly love nursing and enjoyed my work until I get treated like this) – my cheeks were red when I came out and all I wished was that I had $1000 (ha) so I could have said “to hell w/ you all” and went home (Canada).
Anyhow after our meeting, in which they discussed some of my personal life regarding hours I should be in – which of course is no damn concern of theirs (unless my work was hindered), I had a long chat w/ Mrs Havis (was she mad) – All in all I’m going nite duty starting Monday nite – it is $20 more per month, but it’s the walk to work at 11pm – don’t worry love, as Bobby (one of the nurses on nite duty) will take me.
So will tell you all as I proceed w/ nites. At least will be able to write frequently and read – but not too sure of the sleeping accommodations yet.
Other than that work is the same.

The doors to the Tonga Room, within the iconic Fairmont San Francisco, would have been a welcome breeze for Mom (and Dad) – particularly following an encounter with the head wigs. I feel them settling comfortably into a lovers corner under the faux straw hut, laced with globe lighting, sipping on Mai Tais and embracing exotica tiki vibes from the floating band and – what else – embracing each other!