HOPI PRAYER of The Soul's Graduation:
Do not stand at my grave and weepI am not there,
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight
On the ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.
I did not die.
My Spirit is still alive
Gever and Grife
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
818 Robinson Building
Manuel Grife
Paul B. Pollack
Miss Susanna Foster
139
Dear Miss Foster,
Enclosed is the sum of $600, which Mr. Evans has requested that I forward to you as soon as possible. His checks have been delayed as a result of confusion in paydays.
In exchange for this extra money, Mr. Evans says that he wants to know the truth about Philip. He also wants to know where Michael is living, and what he is doing.
Since Michael is no longer living at home then he should not be responsible for his support. At any rate, he is forwarding as much extra money as he can help in whatever way possible.
Very truly yours,
Dear Wib:
I want to express my most deep-felt gratitude to you at this time for sending the extra money. I had hoped we were on better terms about the boys and would be able to thrash things out. But your lawyer chose to use words in his letter, which only put things back where we started from. “He will no longer be responsible for Michael if he’s not living at home”—“the whole about Philip.” I’ve written pages and pages, trying to fill in all the details. I sent Michael’s address in
He then proceeded to take Philip to the dispensary for his dosage—then said “Oh dear, if you start tonight you’ll lose three days because all payments must come in on Friday.” Can you believe it? That meant another $30 on Monday. All these drug programs are so disgusting and immoral and so obviously timed to the doctor’s march of his pocketbook. I’ve done some investigating and discovered that up until a year or two ago a patient could be cared for by a private physician, but the New York Medical Association saw to it that the law was changed so a “select few” could maintain programs. After having lived in NYC for so many years—I see only one things: somebody’s pocket’s being filled at all other’s expense. In
Philip worries me terribly. I’m in constant terrible tension to see his old self return. He was always the one up early in the old days (school days) and always so individualistic in the artists and music that turned him on. (Al Jolson being #1) And that original Tiny Tim record—he used to play that over and over, and Wib you won’t believe it but after you’ve listened to it for a few minutes your taken in! The man is so musical and if they new how to handle him he would be unique indeed.
There’s an old play called “The Passing of the Third Floor Back”—the man who lives in the third floor back of this boarding house is Jesus. And I think it should be Tiny Tim playing this part. IT would take special directions and handling, but if done properly, it would be a masterpiece.
I don’t know what else to tell you about Philip except I want him well. He must learn to fight back. He swears he’s going to write you, but I expect he’s ashamed in front of his father—because that’s one thing I’ve always told them about you—you were clean, nothing crummy about you. Please write him and encourage him. Love to you from us all & please, please don’t send checks!
Did I speak to you in another letter about the
Now for those addresses:
You can get Michael at Howard Knight’s sometimes in Queens.
add:
Michael- c/o Robert Raymond 54
P.S. Philip and I went to another program on the
Please write,
Love Suzy
Dear Mr. Gever:
We have not received the check and I don’t have a job, the bills are piled sky high and I have to pay for Philip’s methadone every week. I’ve received a notice from the Post Office asking if I was still interested in going to work for them and I hurriedly answered yes for them, so I’m hoping for an assignment soon. In the meantime why is it always so difficult with you people? We need this extra money to live. Wib was kind enough to send what was necessary last month—he knows what it must be without a job. I will have to go on welfare if this continues as I can’t keep staying in the house with no cash and charging a few groceries at a time, and then having that to pay when the check comes. Every penny of that last check went for debts and for living. And I resent you saying the money was in exchange for the truth about Philip and the whereabouts of Michael. Both of those pieces of information were not “sold” by me, and I can prove it, but voluntarily written to Mr. Evans when I was so desperate I took a chance and wrote him a 20 page letter telling all, not knowing how he would receive it.
Enclosed is an article from the Reader’s Digest which I would appreciate your sending on to Mr. Evans. Incidentally, some of last month’s money went to Michael.
Susanna Foster
139 West 82nd Apt 3h NYC
Dear Mr. Gever:
I received your check today for $300, which is not enough. We are in trouble, I’ve explained it all in numerous long letters for months and cannot understand Mr. Evans at all. I”ve explained about the numerous debts that have accrued since I had to stop working and the payments to Dr. Kaye for Philip’s methadone. To cite an example of how far $300 goes:
Rent—$132.60
Michael---20.00 (promised M.E. money for the dentist)
Philip—20.00 (methadone)
Groceries---42.00
Druggist---10.00 (payment on bill)
“ “ --- 12.90 (medicine)
________________________
237.50
Michael was down all week asked me to send him some bread to help out---mostly for his inhaler etc.(he has asthma)
I have interest due on a bracelet watch I pawned and which I will lose unless I pay it before Oct 29. I’m trying to get work and believe I will be assigned soon to the Post Office, as I told you. Believe me I want some independence, I can’t stand the haggling. But as long as I’m not working and I’m burdened with the responsibility of Philip’s addiction, and my own health has not been so hot. It should be quite obvious to you that $62.00 left to live on for the entire month will not get very far, Judge Mydonic ordered him to pay $420 a month—and that was with me working!
I was present when he dictated the letter to the
I’m getting desperate and the whole sadistic thing should violate every decent bone Mr. Evans has. He has not done his part and I’m nearly dead doing mine. Mr. Evans is making good money—far better than I’m able to do. I knew when he sent $600 last time that the next check would be for only $300 and it would be good and late which really hurts us. The boys teeth, both of them need dental work, imminently so. Let alone me.
Mr. Evans must help out every month or I will have to do something drastic. I’ve got to have more money now! I have no more friends to borrow from. When I was working I came home with $100 a week---that and Mr. Evans check was how we managed. Right now, I need help right away! Please make this request of Mr. Evans so we receive another check from you before Oct. 29.
Thank you, Susanna Foster
139 W. 82nd Appt. 3H
NYC, N.Y.
Gever and Grife
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
818 Robinson Building
Manuel Grife
Paul B. Pollack
Wilbur W. Evans
Dear Mr. Evans:
I have received your check in the sum of $400 and the pictures enclosed in your letter of
The reason I held your previous checks was to permit them to clear through the bank, but since she is in such dire need I am sending this one immediately.
With respect to working out a legal arrangement to make your payments deductible from your federal income taxes, this cannot be done so long as the payments are made in compliance with a court order directing you to support your children. Whether or not you are legally obligated to continue support for your children after they have reached the age of 18 is another question and it is even a further problem if you are not legally obligated to continue their support. The only tax deduction you are entitled to is a $600 exemption for each child until he is 18 years old.
With respect to the $4.70 payment to the Internal Revenue Service, I have paid it. This is not a penalty but only interest due because your withholding from your salary was insufficient to cover the total tax due. In addition it is hardly worth arguing with the government over $4.70 cause they would make you do a thousand dollars worth of work to remove it. At least I was able to reduce their original charge of $52.00 down to $4.70. I will keep available the information which you gave me about your insurance.
Good luck on your operation and I am sure that all will turn out well.
Very truly yours,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
818 Robinson Building
Manuel Grife
Paul B. Pollack
Miss Susanna Foster
139
Dear Miss Foster:
Enclosed herewith please find check in the sum of $400 which Mr. Evans has requested that I send you. Mr. Evans also requested that I advise you that he is having many problems, both physically and with his job. He is expected to be in the hospital for an operation with in the next two weeks for the removal of his prostate. During that period of time he will not receive any pay from work for at least four weeks, as he has not accumulated sufficient time to be entitled to sick leave. How soon after the operation he will return to work depends entirely on the success of the operation and his recovery.
Mr. Evans is also concerned for his job in general as the man he replaced now wishes to return and if this happens Mr. Evans may be completely unemployed with no prospects for the future.
Mr. Evans instructed me to advise you that the enclosed check is to be used only for your rent for November and December and for Philip’s treatments. He feels that the boys are not cooperating by not getting jobs to help both you and themselves. What is Michael doing in
I am enclosing pictures, which Mr. Evans requested me to forward to you.
I have forwarded all the letters, which you sent Mr. Evans.
Very truly yours,
Dear Mr. Gever:
I’m sending a letter to Mr. Evans and will you please forward it on to him. I know how negative he is and how he must be worried. However for the present, this is for your ears and I would rather you didn’t aggravate him in the immediate moment.
Let’s get one thing clear, for several years I supported the boys myself with 2 jobs with no help from Mr. Evans. He has never supplied any kind of father role, which is why I’m having problems now. THE first time I ask him to pull the whole load as I did (I asked way back in June or July) I didn’t get any extra help until Sept. And then this last check with your stupid accompanying letter. How come he goes to pieces because he’s afraid he may have to carry it all for a few months? I did it for years, and was never able to save a dime. Mr. Evans has saved some dimes, you can bet. I could not pay 2 months rent and Philip’s methadone and have anything left to live on; I’m out every day trying to find a job. Michael makes very little playing “gigs” on weekends and I have to help him now and then. Philip’s looking for a job but it will not be easy with tracks on his arm. No, I expect a check next month; if not I will go to family court, Surely you can add.
Susanna Foster
Dear WIb:
I’m very sorry you have to be in the hospital about the prostate thing, but you mustn’t worry as I know you have wonderful natural health and recuperative powers. You shouldn’t send morbid close-up pictures of a tombstone. You have many years ahead of you and are going to live much longer than anyone in your family—I have an intuition about that, and as I’ve gotten older I’ve become almost psychic about many things.
I’m out every day looking for a job and let me tell you it isn’t easy and they pay so little.
I can’t expect the boys to help me. Michael’s into rock music and has been earning money on weekends playing “gigs”. Still, I have to help him now and then. It would have been impossible to have paid 2 months rent and Phillip’s methadone—we wouldn’t have had anything left to live on. So I’ve doled it out in the places needed most. I hope to God I have a job within the next 2 weeks. Philip is looking for a job too, but he has tracks on his arms and it will limit what he can get. In the meantime, don’t worry and get well.
Yours, Suzy
Dear Wib,
I’m upset that I have to write you at this time when you have this operation coming up but I’m beside myself here too. Twice this week I’ve been served noticed that they will sell everything we have in the apt. unless they are paid. Over the last year and a half I’ve been able to hold them off with the story about the boys and my unemployment and send them something when you send me extra money but I think I’ve just hit bottom.
I was up yesterday at
Anyway, here I am begging again for money again. All I can tell you is that I’m ready to jump in the river, and maybe it would be the best thing. I’m trying so hard to get a job. Please help me or we’ll be out on the street. I even went down to welfare and they couldn’t have been more callous. I told the truth again and they said as long as I had any outside help they couldn’t help me (a friend told me you have to be black).
The man called “John” at the Program has been on vacation and he will be back on Monday and is the man for Philip to see about getting a job. Some companies have job programs to help addicts who are under a doctors care, go to work. And John will help Philip. That will be a huge help to me.
Anyway, my love to you, do not worry—I know everything will be perfect. I’ve enclosed a card of a physic who read for me, and it was scary how remarkably accurate she was. She’s a true psychic and a sweet angelic woman. Makes you happy just to look at her. If you are ever in
Dear Mr. Gever:
Will you please send a check! I have the marshal threatening to come and sell my things on Friday. I’ve written him (James V. McNulty) that I expect a check from Mr. Evans and will send him some money. I try to pay things with the money Mr. Evans sends me, but when we run out of money I have to stay in the house, therefore I can’t look for a job, it gets very depressing. If I can only get work things will be so much better.
Please do what you can.
Thank you, Susanna Foster
139 West 82nd NYC, NY 10024
Gever and Grife
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
818 Robinson Building
Manuel Grife
Paul B. Pollack
Wilbur W. Evans
Dear Mr. Evans:
I do not blame you for being a little concerned about not having had any word from me over the last several weeks. Normally, this is the busiest time of year. In addition thereto, I have been appointed Chief Deputy Sheriff of
First, with respect to the income taxes. Enclosed is your income tax return for 1971, which I have prepared in accordance with the information you gave me. Also enclosed is a copy for your file. You indicated in one letter that you thought the W-2 form from
With respect to the exemptions for your sons, I have again taken them as exemptions as in past years, but again I do not have any information as to whether or not either of them have earnings in excess of $675.00 during the year or whether or not they are filing their own income tax returns. Therefore, it may get to be a problem if the Government checks into it thoroughly. As far as deductions are concerned, I used a standard deduction of $1500 as I had no record of your deductible expenses, which would be in excess of that figure.
I have also changed the address of the return to reflect your new address in
If the enclosed tax return meets with your satisfaction, please sign your name on the line at the bottom left, date it, and mail it to the
With respect to information from Miss Foster about your sons, I have had difficulty getting any information from her. I have even talked to her on the phone, but I did not know what she said when I finished. At any rate she sent me the *enclosed picture and asked that I forward it to you. She asked me to tell you to please at least write to the boys and to keep in touch with them, as she feels this may be of some help. She seems to think that Michael is making a full recovery from being a drug addict, and that your letters would be of great help. Other than that, her information was to state how badly she need s more money for the dentist, for rent and for living expenses.
I have sent her all the money, which you forwarded to me. There was a recent problem because one of the checks I sent to her was stolen and forged but that matter has now been cleared.
Once we get past this week, I expect to have more time to get further information for you, and I will then be in touch with you. In the meantime, if there are any immediate questions, please communicate with me. Incidentally, I have to talked to **Mrs. Evans and have told her I was forwarding the tax return to you.
Best regards,
Yours very truly,
Enclosed picture: "Michael visiting from
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