Chapter Text
To: Alicia A. Zimmermann <alicia@zimmermann.org>
From: Bill Martel-Amory <william.amory@wentworth.edu>
Sent: Sun, Jun 28, 2015 at 3:27 PM
Subject: Visit from Jack
Dear Ali,
Just said goodbye to Jack, who’s on his way back to Pawtucket after spending the night with us. It was good to see him. He seems to be settling in at the new job and figuring out how to live like an adult. “Adulting” as my students would say. Ha! Do you remember that summer after college when I lived with seven other guys in that house in Brighton? I’m not even sure we had a vacuum cleaner. Jack is miles ahead of us already.
He’s as quiet and reserved as always, but seems more at peace than he’s been in a long time. Who knows whether that’s Samwell or Eric or finally playing pro hockey -- probably a combination of all three -- multicausal as my friends in the history department would likely say. But whatever the causes, I can attest to the effect. Jack in May and again this weekend seems the most relaxed he’s been since … well, maybe since before puberty! Maybe he’s just finally growing up
He’s a neat and undemanding houseguest -- mostly hung out on the couch reading with Angus and Fergus. Offered to help me refinish the patio furniture which, between the two of us, we were able to get the job done on Saturday afternoon. He had some questions about how I’d handled being out at work -- he mentioned talking to you so I know I’m not sharing anything confidential. If I had to guess, I’d say you’re probably going to have a son who’s at least out to his teammates and the Falconers staff before the year is out. Reading between the lines, it sounded to me like he almost came out on Friday when they were all celebrating Obergefell.
You’ve met this George and her wife Joelle? Sounds like they’ve taken a particular interest in Jack and I wouldn’t be surprised if they already strongly suspect. We in the LGBT community like to take care of our own -- and if managing hockey players is anything like teaching undergraduates I’d wager you learn how to read the signs long before the kids themselves are ready to trust you with their secrets.
Thank you, sis, for the special delivery from Brookline Liquor Mart. You know me too well. Was the rainbow theme in evidence on the beer labels something the clerks cooked up on their own, or did you nudge them along? Either way, Yannick and I appreciate your (extravagant as always) congratulations and are enjoying being legally married all over again for the fourth time … not the most-gay-married couple in our circle of friends but certainly enough to be dismissable by all the radicals now complaining about “homonormativity.” I’d scoff “kids these days” but a good handful of them are from my GCN days, so I know better than to blame it on the next generation.
Angus and Fergus are looking longingly at the door reminding me it’s time for our afternoon walk so -- off I go! Talk to you soon,
~B.
* * *
Bill Martel-Amory, Ph.D.
Professor of Architecture
Wentworth Institute of Technology
wit.edu/arch/faculty/martel-amory
@bmartam
To: Bill Martel-Amory <william.amory@wentworth.edu>
From: Alicia A. Zimmermann <alicia@zimmermann.org>
Sent: Sun, Jun 28, 2015 at 5:28 PM
Subject: RE: Visit from Jack
Thank you so much for the note, Bill. It’s heartening to hear you confirm my own observations about Jack’s health and the maturity he’s displayed in recent months. I have always suspected (but assumed a certain amount of parental bias) that once Jack reached adulthood he might settle into his own skin a bit more. As a child he always seemed ill at ease with children his own age. I chalked some of it up to his being an only child, but not all of it. I’ve always said to Bob some part of him seems to have been born an old soul. So perhaps his external life finally matches his internal life.
Ha ha. Listen to me sounding like such a New Age nut. Aunt Toni would approve!
I’m so happy they pulled it off! When I told the young man on the phone I wanted them to put together a gift box in celebration of Obergefell he had the absolutely brilliant idea to put together a selection of beers with rainbow-colored labels but of course I had no way of knowing how well the concept hold up in execution. I’ll be sure to email them a glowing review and suggest they offer it as a themed gift option on their website! A superb marketing strategy, particularly during June.
Love to Yannick and the pups,
Ali
Sent from my iPhone
To: Jack L. Zimmermann <jack@zimmermann.org>
From: Robert L. Zimmermann <bob@zimmermann.org>
Sent: Sun, Jun 28, 2015 at 4:53 PM
Subject: Gill Lamartine
Jack,
I had lunch on Friday with Gill, that reporter who interviewed me last year for the GQ article. He asked about you, knew you’d signed with the Falconers. He didn’t put it to me outright but I could tell he was hoping for an interview. I suggested he reach out to Georgia Martin and pitch a story about the work the team has been doing to combat racism, sexism, and homophobia within the League. If she’s as smart as I think she is about publicity, she’ll jump at the chance because Gill will be able to sell this to whatever outlet she negotiates for. I’ll vouch for his work. I’m telling you this because he will likely come sniffing around. Consider what you (and Georgia) may wish to tell -- or not tell -- him.
Give my best to Eric when you see him,
Papa
Robert L. Zimmermann
Executive Director
Zimmermann Foundation
www.zimmermannfoundation.org
To: Jack L. Zimmermann <jack@zimmermann.org>
From: Alicia A. Zimmermann <alicia@zimmermann.org>
Sent: Sun, Jun 28, 2015 at 6:12 PM
Subject: just checking in & a favor
Dear Jack,
I hope you had an easy drive back from the Cape! Bill wrote and said you had a nice visit. How does the patio furniture look? Did he paint it that ugly green color again?
Papa and I leave for Montélimar on Wednesday and I will forward you the final details once I make one change in the hotel reservations. We'll be in France for about three weeks, but you should be able to reach us by email for most of that time. And you know we're always just a phone call away if there's an emergency.
Did I ever confirm that I got your itinerary for the Georgia trip? Thank you for keeping us in the loop on your travel plans. It looks like you’ll get in nice and early on Friday. Be sure to give Eric our best, and Suzanne and Rich too.
I have a favor to ask -- I was telling Suzanne last week about that shop in the North End that sells my favorite cinnamon from Sri Lanka. Do you remember when we went there last year? The one with the cat, and the owner who asked your father for an autograph. I’m wondering if -- since you’ll be in Boston next week -- if you would pick up some cinnamon for Suzanne? If it isn’t convenient, I’ll just phone them and pay to have it shipped.
If you’re looking for something to get Eric, there’s a stall in the new Boston Public Market that does handmade marshmallows … perfect for making 4th of July s’mores ;-)
Love,
Mom
Alicia A. Zimmermann
Executive Director
Zimmermann Foundation
www.zimmermannfoundation.org
To: Alicia A. Zimmermann <alicia@zimmermann.org>
From: Jack L. Zimmermann <jack@zimmermann.org>
Sent: Mon, Jun 29, 2015 at 7:34 AM
Subject: RE: just checking in
Hi Mom,
Thanks for your email. I’ll be happy to pick up the cinnamon for Suzanne. I’m having lunch with Lardo but will still have plenty of time before it’s worth going out to the hotel. I was thinking of going to the Museum of Science.
Yeah, we painted the patio furniture the same shade of green -- sorry!
I'll look out for the itinerary. Is Papa hoping to catch some of the Tour de France again this year?
Love,
Jack
To: Robert L. Zimmermann <bob@zimmermann.org>
From: Jack L. Zimmermann <jack@zimmermann.org>
Sent: Mon, Jun 29, 2015 at 7:51 AM
Subject: RE: Gill Lamartine
Papa,
Thanks for the head’s up about Gill. I do remember him. He seemed okay. At least he’s a good writer.
I have an appointment with Marci in Boston tomorrow and one of the things I plan to talk with her about is being out to the team. I had finals and then she was on vacation so I haven’t even had a chance to tell her about Eric. It was good to hear Uncle Billy’s perspective this weekend, about what it means to be out professionally.
I will probably talk to Georgia before the season starts, and maybe tell the team if she and Marci think it’s a good idea and Eric is okay with it.
Eric seems so much happier since he talked to his parents. I’m looking forward to seeing him next week.
Have a good time in Montélimar!
Jack