Her Name Was Lola

61 Victor’s First Word

June 1999. ‘Dear Max,’ writes Lula Mae. ‘Victor is a year and a half old now. As you can see from the photo, he’s looking handsomer all the time. He said his first word today. “Dada.” Daddy. He said it to Jim Bob Baker. Jim Bob has asked me to marry him and I’ve said yes. I know I promised you that he’d never call anybody Daddy but you, but the reality is that you and he have never seen each other and probably never will. So reality has made me break that promise. I hope you’ll forgive me and I think you will. Jim Bob has his own software company and he works mostly from home. He’s a good man, he loves Victor and Victor loves him. Don’t send any more money. Wish us luck. Love X, Lula Mae.’