Chapter 48: January 11, 1982

Paul Lynde died yesterday. That was something I didn’t know was coming. I mean, I knew he had been dead in my time, but I didn’t know when. I had been aware of him mostly from Bewitched when I was a kid, but since I’ve been here, I’ve watched Hollywood Squares a fair amount. It’s kind of comfort television for me since I watched the new version as a kid.

I found a spot for the coil that I received from Wells on Christmas. I have to hide it well, somewhere that I can get to it, but no one else will find it. I bought a footlocker from a military surplus store, and put it in. Then I buried it three feet deep next to one of the fence posts.

Melanie wanted to know what it was, I told her what I needed it for, but not all of the other components exist yet to even use this in test stages, so it was like explaining a carburetor to a cave person who hasn’t seen a wheel yet.

As far as Wells, I’ve been thinking a lot about who he or she might be. I worry that I’m starting to get a bit paranoid. I was at a park with Elliot and Melanie yesterday, and I had a strange feeling that we were being followed. I picked Elliot up and spun him around in a big circle, and while he giggled I looked around at the couple of people that were in the park.

There was a woman jogging perpendicular to us, in just about the most eighties outfit that I’ve ever seen. Spandex with the thong over it, and leg warmers. Just an absolutely insane outfit.

Then there was a couple of teenagers, they didn’t look much older than fifteen to me, and they were smoking.

There was a black guy, I think he was about forty, and he was on the far side of the park, walking in the same generic direction as us. I had seen him at the grocery store before.

When we got to the swing that Elliot loves, I had Melanie push him, and I meandered in the direction of the man. I can’t tell for sure, but I felt like he avoided me on purpose. 

I just have this sneaking suspicion that he’s Wells, and I want the secrets to be over now.

Elliot called me Dad-da yesterday. That was very sweet, but slightly heartbreaking. Judy hasn’t written back to me or called in months, and I worry he won’t even know who she is. I decided to write her a letter after he spoke.

Dear Judy,

I know that you don’t want to see or talk to Elliot, and I cannot imagine the hell you’re going through, but I’m really worried what this time separated will do to him. I want to bring him down for his birthday, but I’d really like to get your ok first.

Also, I read in the newspaper that your trial date is coming up in two months. I would like to take some time off of work, and be there for the trial. Please let me and Elliot be there for you.

Mike

I may go for the trial regardless of her wishes. I don’t know.