Jan 20
I’ll be home late—parent conference with Kevin’s mom. That kid has to shape up or 5th period will never get past the Civil War.
Chicken casserole and salad in the fridge. The fireplace isn’t drawing well. Check the flue before you leave on your next run.
Some guy named Marty Weaver called—claims he’s an old high school buddy of yours. He’s into real estate—says he’s got a deal for you. Call him at 942-4073.
Love, Bev
1/21
Marty’s got a small apt bldg in Calistoga for $160,000. Looks good. Arranged for you to see it tomorrow during lunch. Meet him at his office, 537 Lincoln Ave, at 12:15. Cleaned flue. Doing a pick-up in Sacramento, then to San Diego. See you tomorrow night if the weather holds.
Clark
Jan 26
Marty called. Our offer was accepted—he’ll have the papers for us to sign at noon tomorrow. Are you really sure you want to go through with this? Six run-down apartments might be a lot of work.
Would you pick up the clothes at the cleaners? I’ve got a hectic day at school.
Greek salad and cheesecake in fridge. Yoga tonight—back by 7.
Bev
Feb 12
Donna asked a realtor friend of hers about the apts. He said they’re dogs—been on the market for 2 years. We could still back out before escrow closes.
Open Classroom tonight. Hope Kevin’s parents show—he still hasn’t settled down. I’ll be home by 9 or 9:30. Lemon chicken and green beans in fridge.
Bev
2/12
Relax, Honey, it’s the perfect investment. As Marty explained, the rents pay off the mortgage and we capitalize on rising housing prices. Remember the quick hundred-grand he made. You don’t have to be involved any more than you want to be. Dinner was great. Helping Don troubleshoot his pickup.
Clark
2/25
Champagne’s in fridge. See you about 7 to celebrate closing. Marty says rent has to be collected in person. I’m handling repairs. Rent collection’s your baby.
Clark
Mar 2
I see why rents have to be collected—every cent is paid in cash. Everyone was friendly—had the money ready. The tenant in #2, Consuela Ramirez, Connie, was helpful when my Spanish proved inadequate. Gave her our phone number so she can contact us if something needs our attention. Deposited the proceeds—$1,240—in the special account.
Apartment #6, Sanchez, complained about the toilet not working. I checked it out. It overflows. Stop by ASAP. Five people living without a toilet is a disaster. And Maria Sanchez is 6 months pregnant—as well as gorgeous.
Lasagna and salad in fridge. Yoga tonight.
Bev
3/3
Red ball caught in trap. Explained to kid not to flush ball down toilet. Cute kid. Can’t find my blue & white striped shirt. Off to Oakland and then to Long Beach. Back tomorrow night.
Clark
Mar 17
Connie called to report the toilet in #3 is leaking. The Hurtados are newlyweds so it’s probably not a ball stuck in the trap. I said you were on a run and wouldn’t be back for a couple of days.
Don and Grace invited us to dinner on the 28th. I told them I’d check with you on your schedule. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Bev
3/20
Dry rot under toilet. Replaced part of floor. Dropped toilet & had to replace it too. Receipts beside phone—bookkeeping for taxes is up to you. Rosa Hurtado stayed outside in the cold the whole time I worked.
Clark
April 1
No problems collecting the rent, but my battery was dead when I returned to my car. Jaime Sanchez took me to buy a new one and installed it. Nice guy. I see why a beautiful girl like Maria married him.
Happy April Fools Day! Unfortunately, Connie’s non-functioning stove is not a joke—no gas coming out of jets. I told her you’d be there to fix it as soon as you came home. Welcome back!
Love, Bev
4/3
Jets clogged. Cleaned them out. Connie helpful. To Sacramento for a load, then to San Fernando. See you tomorrow night. Weatherman says storm has moved east—hwy 5 clear.
Clark
April 20
Connie reported that electricity is off in #6. Cruz Gomez found water had leaked into the electrical box. At least 12 guys living in dark.
Yoga tonight. I’ll make dinner when I get home. Olives and cheese for a snack.
Bev
4/21
Kids playing with hose flooded electrical box. None electrocuted! Replaced it. Took me all friggin day & a wad of cash. You teaching summer school this year?
Clark
May 5
The tenants are celebrating Cinco de Mayo—carne asada, cerveza and música in the courtyard. Drop by if you get back before 8.
Bev
May 6
Got your message from the dispatcher. Must have been some storm. Call me at school when you get in so I don’t worry.
You missed a fun Cinco de Mayo. The music was great—one of the guys in #5 plays a mean guitar. The tenants were all there—except for Carlos & Rosa Hurtado. A light was on in their kitchen, but they didn’t show.
Anna Alvarez—the black-clad mother-in-law in #1—called Stella Garcia—the wizened 30-year-old with 3 kids and no husband in #4—a whore and Stella ran into her apt crying. Nobody would explain anything to me—not even Connie—but I know what “puta” means. The old battle ax brought an abrupt end to the celebration.
You need to replace broken tiles in Stella’s counter. Institutional green with black trim! Aesthetics were strange in the ’20s.
Dinner at Chu’s tonight? I’m hungry for Chinese.
Love, Bev
5/7
Counter in 4 riddled with dry rot. Pulled it out. Cockroaches everywhere in that wet muck. Sprayed the bastards & installed a new stainless steel sink/counter combo. Can’t blame Stella for the cucarachas. See, Honey, I know some Spanish. Hope you weren’t planning on a new car soon.
Clark
May 11
Terrible news about Jaime Sanchez, Maria’s husband. Friday evening, after a few beers, he got into an argument and raced off in his pickup. He smacked into a tree and was killed instantly. The funeral is at the Catholic Church. Afterwards, there’ll be a procession and graveside service and maybe some kind of wake. I’ll be home when things start to wind down.
Poor Maria. Three little kids, one in the oven, no husband, no job skills, no English. The only thing she’s got going for her is a beautiful face and maybe a beautiful body. It’s hard to tell when she’s 8 months pregnant.
Rummage through the leftovers in fridge. You’ll find something edible. Too depressed to cook.
Bev
5/21
Hard drive. Friggin 4-wheelers tailgating and cutting me off. Don’t driver’s ed classes teach those punks anything about the stopping capability & maneuverability of big rigs? Taking a nap. Don’t wake me until dinner’s ready. How about a neck massage?
Clark
May 22
Be happy to set you up to speak to Driver’s Ed classes. A real live 18-wheeler jockey—the kids would love you.
Bev
June 1
Every time I collect the rent for #5 a different guy answers to the name Cruz Gomez. Do all the guys in that apt have the same name? Or are they all just using the same green card?
Celia Alvarez apologized for her mother-in-law’s behavior at Cinco de Mayo. Stella is divorced—her husband beat her and the kids—and Anna is old school from rural Mexico—no divorce for any reason.
Yoga tonight. I’ll bring home something for dinner.
Bev
6/2
Checked rent records. Only $1,040? You forget to collect from Maria Sanchez?
Clark
June 12
Sink in #1, Alvarez, is plugged and Celia is having a graduation party for her son tomorrow night.
Celebrating the last day of school—ignoring summer school at the moment—with Donna and the gang. Join us at Susie’s bar if you get the sink repaired in time.
Bev
June 16
Maria just had a perfect baby boy, a relief after what she’s been through. He’s the cutest thing—must have two inches of black hair. When Connie and I visited, she told the nurse we were Maria’s sisters since only family can enter the room. The nurse checked out my blonde hair and freckles and snickered.
Bev
June 20
I ran into Marty today and asked how we’re supposed to make any money on our investment when toilets and sinks are always breaking. He said, “Repairs? Forget it. At $200 a month it’s not the Hilton.” Then he winked and asked, “Aren’t the apartments rented every month?” I had to say yes. His response, “On your taxes claim you’re running a 40% vacancy rate.” Possible fines and jail time for a few lousy dollars? What a scumbag!
Bev
6/22
Good news. Valley Builder’s Supply is giving me a contractor’s discount. Off on a haul to Fresno, San Diego and Santa Barbara. Two days—if the dust on Hwy 5 has settled. Pick up some Pepto-Bismol. I’m almost out & the chow at the greasy spoons isn’t getting any better.
Clark
6/30
Left truck in Napa for maintenance & repairs—3 days. Caught a ride up valley with Marty. He’s OK. Still thinks he’s the lead in the senior play, that’s all. I’ll be at apts. Sinks, toilets, dry rot & cucarachas!
Clark
7/1
Rent collection’s a snap. Cash under phone.
Clark
July 2
Only $1,040? Charmed by Maria Sanchez?
Bev
July 21
Try to arrange to be home Aug 8 for the Pope Valley Dance. Hot young band called Silver Creek is playing! We need to cut loose together. We never see each other any more.
Connie’s toilet broken. Water running across bathroom floor.
Bev
7/22
Aug 8 inked in for dance. Steve at Valley Builder’s joked about me being a slumlord. I told him I didn’t know a lord spent his day off with his head in a toilet. Off to LA. Hope the resurfacing of the Grapevine’s finished. Damn near shook the rig apart on the last run up that sucker.
Clark
Aug 1
Connie was nearly hysterical when I stopped by to pick up the rent. Little Jose has had a high fever for two days. They have no health insurance. Armando works full time for Stalwart Oaks but that snobby big-time winery lays him off for two months during the slow season so he’s not eligible for benefits. Connie says it’s standard practice. I took Connie and Jose to Doc Jenks. It’s just a virus going around, he said, and only charged $5.
Carlos and Rosa Hurtado moved out very suddenly. Connie says there was some problem with her being harassed! Three guys, whose names I’ve not got straight, moved right in and paid the rent. No notice, no cleanup, no advertising, no vacancy!
The tile counter in Maria Sanchez’s apt has partially collapsed. I told her not to pound her corn for tortillas on the counter and said you’d be by soon to fix it.
Bev
8/3
Replaced Maria’s sink/counter. Explain to everyone not to pound corn on counters. Note rent is short $200 again. Off to Oakland, then Bakersfield & San Bernardino. Damn, this sucks. Haven’t had a free moment in months. Permanent kink in back. Made reservations at La Belle Helene for your birthday. Bought champagne.
Clark
Aug 6
I’ve marked the calendar. Argghh!!! I’ll be 42! (But summer school will be over.)
Everyone chipped in a few dollars to pay Maria Sanchez’s rent. (12 hopeful suitors named Cruz Gomez)
Connie’s husband was laid off at Stalwart Oaks. He hopes to start a new job next week and will pay rent mid-month. Connie wants to work—she has secretarial skills—but Armando won’t hear of it. It would make him less of a man if he can’t support his family. There’s a question of who would hire her as well.
Warm up the leftover stew for lunch.
Bev
8/9
I didn’t screw up the dance—a bum wheel bearing did. That’s life with a trucker. Why didn’t you talk Donna into going? I’m bushed. Damn chicken haulers playing hwy cowboys all the way up 5.
Clark
8/10
Connie called about a leak. Took care of it. Off to Eureka, Sacramento & Long Beach. I’ll be back on Wednesday in plenty of time for champagne & dinner. You look great for 42.
Clark
Aug 12
Broken pipe in the Alvarez apt—water all over old hardwood floors. I’m helping Celia and Connie clean up. Come right over.
Why did you let that scumbag Marty sucker you into this?
How do you know I look great? You never see me!!! I don’t even remember what a “sex life” is.
Happy birthday to me.
Bev
Aug 17
Connie heard about an opening for a secretary in the elementary school office. She knows she can’t pass the required math test. I’m reviewing long division and fractions with her and trying to convince Armando that it’s okay for Connie to work. They’ll have a better life and be able to send those two smart kids to college.
Sorry about the TV dinner—remove the foil before you put it in the microwave.
Bev
8/18
Dropped by Marty’s office. Place closed up. Guy in shop next door said Marty left town. Listed apts at Calistoga Prop for $140,000. Agent said he’d seen that “dog” around before. Bought champagne for the eventual celebration anyway. Eureka again and then San Jose. Back tomorrow night. Have you seen my blue & white striped shirt? TV dinners suck!
Clark
August 26
Donna heard the only sale Marty made this year was to us and that he skipped town a step ahead of his creditors. The scuttlebutt is that he’s passing himself off as a specialist in petroleum contamination to scam Superfund lucre.
Maria Sanchez is having trouble with the toilet again and little Juan’s red ball is not missing.
Bev
8/26
Good ole Marty needs a fast ride down a slick hill. I’m at Susie’s Bar. Don’t wait up.
Clark
Aug 28
Connie got the job! Full time secretary with benefits! I’m whooping it up with her and Armando. You’ll have to buy another bottle of champagne. I took the one in the fridge.
Bev
ANN NEWTON HOLMES, ’62, lives in Deer Park, Calif.
