Dearest Rick

My dear Rick,

Today marks 6 years without you and I have so many thoughts. I took a chance and wrote to you. When I thought you didn’t get the letter, I cold called you. You answered, unsure of who I was or what my intentions were. I talked to you for almost an hour- and from that moment on- I struck up a friendship with you. I remember our second conversation- you asked me what I did for a living and what my plans for the future were. I told you was working at Moody Gardens and -I was a film student. I asked questions about your mother, and I was nervous- and you could tell. You told me I should “speak slowly.” I speak fast when I’m nervous. You told me I sounded nice and you asked me what my favorite film of your mother’s was. I told you it was “The Power of the Press” because she was a leading lady. You asked me a very special question- if she had led me to you and I wanted to say “YES!” but I didn’t want to sound weird, so I said, “she had a hand in it.” You said you had a feeling, because young people didn’t talk to you and I was among the very few young people to talk to you.

In our 3rd phone call, you asked me about what kind of dreams I had for the future. I said to edit films. You said “In Hollywood?” I told you I’d be anywhere. You got really quiet and said “Don’t get screwed over like my mother did.” I took what you said and here I sit, not in Hollywood, thank-God.

I sent you your first of many birthday cards- and you called me to thank me for it. After the first year I met you, we talked a lot more- and more often. You expressed your feelings on Harold Lloyd, your feelings on your mother’s career and your daily activities. You told me about Mule Days- and you talked about your wife- Mary. Your calls were always a joy to me and I loved hearing your voice. You told me you liked the photo I sent, because of my Jobyna shirt, which I still have and I loved writing you – I was shocked you kept those letters. I remember you asking me – I’d take your mother’s things and I told you I would.

May 2017, I got the news of your passing. I was shocked, and devastated is not a big enough word to describe how I felt. To me, I thought you’d live forever. But I am slowly learning that not everyone is invincible. Susie gave me the news and I couldn’t believe you were gone. I really couldn’t.

Before you passed, you asked me if I had any plans on getting married? I had told you, “hopefully soon!” You told me this, that I needed to remember that I needed to be picky about who I date or who I marry. You said, “Don’t Settle! Just because he may seem like a great guy- but you need to remember – to see if you said “I love you,” then they’re the one.” I was with someone at the time, who I didn’t love, but you past before you could meet the man I did marry. I know you’d love him- as much as I do. I always recalled- you telling me that marriage is give and take- it takes work- you need to be patient, and remember, sex- isn’t everything, but it’s nice- but don’t rush into it, do it when you’re both ready. You asked me if I had given it away- and I told you “No.” You said, “Good! Don’t lose it to someone, unless you love him!” After you passed, it was so hard to “get over it.” I kept in touch with Susie and even six years on, we still exchange letters.

In the summer of 2018, I got a letter from Susie, saying I was getting your things and I had so many emotions. I got several boxes and it was like I was losing you all over again. I cried seeing you had kept so much that I had sent you. I didn’t know you kept so much of my mail, as I had kept so much of yours. I was told later that I was the closest thing you had to a daughter. I felt more close to you and I take some some of your scrapbooks out at times, because I think of you. I love you dear Rick, and always have.

Love, your Katie Bug <3