accused of pointing his weapon at a fellow cadet. Should this event have been witnessed by a staff member, it would have led to an immediate dismissal from Blackwell. As there was no proof that this event took place (the other boy involved has subsequently left Blackwell) — and as Russell has been with us since the second grade — we have decided to speak to him about his recent behavior and warn him that he is on probation.
I must also ask you to write your son and warn him of the consequences of any further inappropriate behavior. All of us here agree that Russell is a very fine boy – a boy we feel will make a great soldier — who is very much liked by the staff. We all consider Russell a great asset to both our football and baseball teams, and I’m sure he will get back on the right track!
Lastly, all of us here at Blackwell Academy hope that the Communist insurgency you and your country face will be quickly defeated. Russell has spoken often about your struggles out there in Guatemala. God bless you in your fight against this menace to free people everywhere. We are all praying for your safety. Rest assured that your son is in good hands.
God bless you.
Sincerely yours,
Major D. Purcell
Commandant
Las Flores
Sunday April 3
Dearest Russell,
Querido, I’ve just had a letter from the major at your school and he assures me that you are doing fine and that your chances of going on to a good high school are excellent. (I would like it to be the military academy in Virginia that your grandfather went to, if possible.) Do you still want to go to West Point? I think it would be lovely. We could go to the Army-Navy game and I’ll wear something very Gatsby! I have written to your father and he promises me he will contact his congressman at the right time. But it’s still a little soon, dear.
Your aunt says that we need military men here, and that you should come home as soon as you are able, to help us defeat the Communists! Right now she is living in Miami and I miss her very much, as I spend a great deal of time alone here working with no one but Olga to speak to. Your uncle Robert has gone to live in Paris—He is producing films!— so I don’t have any help. I wish you were all with me here. Maybe someday. But none of us can live without someone from the family being here on the plantation and seeing things are done properly— war or no war.
Dear, about the test they gave you. I really don’t think things like this should upset you. Of course you aren’t stupid. Why don’t we just forget the test. I know that you have always done well in school, and that’s really all that is important. As far as pointing the gun at the boy, I’m glad you wrote me and told me the truth about what happened. I don’t want my son to be a momma’s boy, and if that boy was bullying you, well, here it would be understood completely. God knows your grandfather pointed his pistol at more than one man! (I’m afraid to tell you the stories!)
Always stand up for yourself, my love, and know that your mother loves you and hopes that we can be together here someday. I love you and think about you everyday.
The guerillas came to the plantation two nights ago, but I was visiting a friend and they couldn’t find me so they left. They said they wanted our family to pay a war tax! Anytime the communists get close, workers from the ranchos come up to the house to warn me and I hide with them! Everyone here is very loyal to the family— thank God!
Besos y Abrazos
Tu Mama .
PS: Coffee prices are wonderfully high, 106. So I’ve sent along some extra spending money. Antonio and I saw Elizabeth Taylor in Acapulco last month at the Villa Vera, where she was staying too. She and I had a conversation about our children, sitting by the pool. She’s actually very, very kind, and not at all like they say on the BBC.
•••
Like jails, military schools are run in part by the adults, and partly by the students.
I must also ask you to write your son and warn him of the consequences of any further inappropriate behavior. All of us here agree that Russell is a very fine boy – a boy we feel will make a great soldier — who is very much liked by the staff. We all consider Russell a great asset to both our football and baseball teams, and I’m sure he will get back on the right track!
Lastly, all of us here at Blackwell Academy hope that the Communist insurgency you and your country face will be quickly defeated. Russell has spoken often about your struggles out there in Guatemala. God bless you in your fight against this menace to free people everywhere. We are all praying for your safety. Rest assured that your son is in good hands.
God bless you.
Sincerely yours,
Major D. Purcell
Commandant
Las Flores
Sunday April 3
Dearest Russell,
Querido, I’ve just had a letter from the major at your school and he assures me that you are doing fine and that your chances of going on to a good high school are excellent. (I would like it to be the military academy in Virginia that your grandfather went to, if possible.) Do you still want to go to West Point? I think it would be lovely. We could go to the Army-Navy game and I’ll wear something very Gatsby! I have written to your father and he promises me he will contact his congressman at the right time. But it’s still a little soon, dear.
Your aunt says that we need military men here, and that you should come home as soon as you are able, to help us defeat the Communists! Right now she is living in Miami and I miss her very much, as I spend a great deal of time alone here working with no one but Olga to speak to. Your uncle Robert has gone to live in Paris—He is producing films!— so I don’t have any help. I wish you were all with me here. Maybe someday. But none of us can live without someone from the family being here on the plantation and seeing things are done properly— war or no war.
Dear, about the test they gave you. I really don’t think things like this should upset you. Of course you aren’t stupid. Why don’t we just forget the test. I know that you have always done well in school, and that’s really all that is important. As far as pointing the gun at the boy, I’m glad you wrote me and told me the truth about what happened. I don’t want my son to be a momma’s boy, and if that boy was bullying you, well, here it would be understood completely. God knows your grandfather pointed his pistol at more than one man! (I’m afraid to tell you the stories!)
Always stand up for yourself, my love, and know that your mother loves you and hopes that we can be together here someday. I love you and think about you everyday.
The guerillas came to the plantation two nights ago, but I was visiting a friend and they couldn’t find me so they left. They said they wanted our family to pay a war tax! Anytime the communists get close, workers from the ranchos come up to the house to warn me and I hide with them! Everyone here is very loyal to the family— thank God!
Besos y Abrazos
Tu Mama .
PS: Coffee prices are wonderfully high, 106. So I’ve sent along some extra spending money. Antonio and I saw Elizabeth Taylor in Acapulco last month at the Villa Vera, where she was staying too. She and I had a conversation about our children, sitting by the pool. She’s actually very, very kind, and not at all like they say on the BBC.
•••
Like jails, military schools are run in part by the adults, and partly by the students.
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