Alles is voor elkaar. The weather's been quite nice. William was in town on Legacy business so Patricia came along and we went shopping. I'll tell you all about it next time we talk.
I picked up a quaint, but horrific, little oddity that I want you to have a look at. I think it represents some Polynesian demigod. It's probably just a tourist trinket, but one never knows with these things. Patty wanted William to see it, but you know how he can be when his mind is on bureaucracy.
As to your questions about Major Boyle and Jean. I really can not tell you much. I only knew Jean briefly before I brought you and Ingrid back to Amsterdam. We were close during those few months. It was prior to her marriage to Robert, which was a 'have-to' because of James Richard. We continued our friendship by mail and the occasional visit or phone call, but I was on the outside looking in from very far away. One can never really know what goes on within a family. Sometimes one does not even know what is going wrong with one's own marriage. The sad part is that after it's over, you still may not know.
What I do know is that the Major was not particularly fond of women for any reason other than maintaining a household and alleviating masculine needs. He returned to active duty and then volunteered for Vietnam to escape the marriage and the child. That's what men did in those days. They did the honourable thing, then buried themselves in their work, and if necessary formed a liaison elsewhere. Jean never disclosed personal information. Like Patricia, she was a good soldier's wife, but she did not fare as well in her choice of soldiers. I wish I could have been the same, but there were other factors involved, as well as certain small persons with very unique talents.
I do not know the details, so don't ask. The Legacy whole-heartedly approved of his decision to go to Vietnam because they wanted agents over there, in the areas bordering Laos, and especially Cambodia. I believe they were anticipating Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime with its 'Killing Fields'. The Major also knew, that with his expertise, he could save lives - the lives of fellow soldiers.
Following his return home, matters grew worse - besides a growing boy, there was a new baby, Nicholas Robert. As I've mentioned before, the Major never really knew how to be anything but a soldier - not a husband nor a father - just a soldier and an officer. It's why he could fit into the Legacy's world, but not really anywhere else. It became his surrogate army and its war his war. Isn't it telling that we all so often call him 'the Major'?
Vietnam had changed him for the worse. Any small amount of sensitivity or kindness that I'd ever seen in the man had been burned away. There was only callous efficiency left - and he was drinking in private. Never 'on duty' - only alone or at home.
I do know that he admired Winston, and that he liked you even as a boy, but then he didn't have to raise you. He liked your obstinacy and your mental quickness - not necessarily your academic quickneess, which occasionally left something to be desired. He always had a great respect for those gifted with the 'Sight'. He said once that, although he did not possess psi-talents, he had 'damn good instincts' and so, could appreciate a more enhanced ability in others.
After he heard about Peru, he told Arthur Middleton that you had more grit and instinct than he'd ever seen in any battle-hardened soldier. He was determined that he was going to help train you to succeed your father. In a way, I think he was hoping that he was training the future Ruling Precept - that would be the mark he'd leave on the Legacy. I don't know if he had the idea of bequeathing his sons to you and the Legacy as well. I suspect so, but I know that he found James to be a great disappointment. I have no idea about what he thought of Nicholas.
I am glad that you and William were his friends. Perhaps, the two of you set an example that mitigated worst in him. I hope it did, for his family's sake.
I'll talk to you Sunday next. This weekend is Ingrid's turn. You should go see her. How long has it been? Over a year? You are not even an hour's drive away. Surely you can find an empty afternoon on your calendar for a pleasant drive into the wine country. I wouldn't mind having a bottle or two of Pinot Noir from that little winery near the convent. You know the one I mean - for the wine tasting, it used to have that charming patio with the Bacchus fountain. Its walls were all decked in purple and magenta bougainvillea.
P.S. You, of course, remember my friend, Baroness Gertrude de Bruin? The Baroness was 'kind' enough to show me Nigel Dempster's column in the Daily Mail. The caption read, "Our little Dutch boy with his finger in the dyke... oops! dam - Madam, that is."
It is an excellent likeness, my dear. You are looking a bit tired, but you really
should be somewhat more discreetl about how you spend your holidays, and with
whom. We shouldn't want any of the more 'senior' members of the Council to
suffer apoplexy. But, I simply must know - how ever did you manage to get
yourself in that position?
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