A True Fairy Tale: The Other Side

Ihope you enjoyed my story in the May/June 2021 issue of Bluffs & Bayous. I had no plans for a part two until after the first part had already been published. By chance, I came across an old spiral notebook in Suzanne’s and my closet while I was looking for a box of old photographs. The book is half empty and starts with a grocery list. The rest of it is a journal containing her side of the story as you are about to read. Suzanne Pyron was a 23-year-old young woman when she wrote this. I had never seen this or heard her speak of it. This is our fairy tale as it unfolds in her words. Suzanne was a beautiful young woman in mind and body, who was searching for her destiny, when I knocked on her door that Fourth of July weekend in 1970!

Monday June 22, 1970 It has been a long time huh? I got up with that helpless useless feeling you are so familiar with. I have one big bonus on myself—God! I never thought I could actually get strength from prayer, but it works. Life is a gamble at best, at worse it is black chaos. My soul has nearly hit bottom at times. I think the real test comes not from what you do, but how you do it. Making a decision is easy for me, but sticking to it when I am low is the hard part. My dear brother is sending me a date for the 4th of July. It should be interesting. Mother and Daddy have been in Colorado a while. My mind is wondering. It is bedtime for me. Will keep you posted.

Sunday July 5, 1970 This you won’t believe. I don’t. I have had a proposal of marriage from a guy I met Thursday. I am so confused. Sonny Womack came up. He is a big gentle man with a little boy’s magic. I honestly like him. I have just put my life in order and WHAM! He knows about my past and doesn’t care. I am scared. I have waited for a man to love me in my jeans, the qualities I know I have, the faults—really just love Suzanne. I think he is capable of it. I am so scared of being hurt again. I know we could have a good, rich life together. Maybe it’s as Sonny says—fate or God? He is a big guy with beautiful green brown eyes, hair he can’t comb, and soft ways. He will take Jessica [her dog] in the package. He is so honest and direct I don’t quite believe it. Sonny loves the country and all that goes with it. I think he is what I have been looking for, yet I am so frightened of him. Sonny seems so good and true. I just realize how bound to the past I am.

Sunday July 19, 1970 If Sonny means it, I am going to marry him. I have never met anyone like him in my life. I will give up my mountains and past for a future. One thing snows me is that he wants me as I am. I have never met a man that didn’t want to put his thumb on me and mold to what he thought he needed. I let Sonny read you—something I couldn’t allow anyone else to do. Maybe it is because we want the same things out of life. Isn’t life strange and wonderful! I feel strangely content. I still have twinges of doubts of whether Sonny is trying to use me or really as sincere as he seems. Time will tell, so all I can do is finish each day completely and wait. I feel cleansed and recharged.

Saturday August 8, 1970 I thought I was really going to shock you, but I read [the] last page, and I have already done it. Sonny has been with me all week inside. I am still wary of telling him I love him, yes, I am still mistrustful. I am so afraid when he knows I love him, he’ll put me down. Today is Daddy’s birthday. The summer and Colorado freedom are ending. I have already packed one trunk for home and let my mind go south to Sonny. I hope he comes up to drive back avec moi (with me). I have been taught so much. Colorado has been good to an adopted daughter. The mountains have kept me from losing God. The people have taught me the

value of being strong in love, faith, and friendship. Slinky has become another animal I have taken, or he has taken me. I have detached myself from the Mayos without losing my love for them. I have learned how to make decisions, to do things that make me sick at my stomach, be able to say I love God to a stranger, a new respect for myself and the dignity of others. I have faced loneliness and deep despair and managed to struggle on top of them. Now to face my parents as an adult and not hurt them, yet run my own life as I see fit. I have come so far this year. I have so very much to be thankful for. I hope Sonny really loves me. I love what I know of him. I have done so much to frighten him off—talked constantly of myself, appeared neurotic and exhibited anti-marriage and family attitudes. He has still come for more. God help me give him the happiness he deserves. I just hope I have enough strength to face my parents love without reverting to childhood defenses. Thank you for everything. Your loving, grateful daughter,