One of the most positive-minded people I ever knew was Estelle DuBose, a good friend and client from my days in the insurance business in Phoenix. While clearing out her deceased mother’s home in Texas, Estelle was bitten by a rattlesnake. She came home and told me, “It was the best thing!”
Turns out, when she was taken to the ER, a visiting physician happened to be an expert in snake bites, and he was in charge of treating her. The following week when a five year-old child was bitten by a rattlesnake, all the folks in the ER knew exactly what to do.
In the throes of getting my divorce, selling my house, and moving to Seattle, I was plagued by insomnia. The only place I could sleep was literally in church! I’d make it through the beginning of the service, but once the sermon started, I was out like a light. I know Reverend McKinley noticed because one day the title of the sermon was “On Sleeping in Church.” I didn’t hear a word of it.
I know Reverend McKinley noticed because that day, as I was leaving, I apologized to him. “Don’t worry about it,” he said with a smile. “Obviously you’re getting exactly what you need out of being here.”
Eventually, I spoke to Estelle about what was going on, saying that things were so bad I couldn’t even pray about it. She said, in her delightful south Texas drawl. “I’ll tell you what. You pray for the little things—for whatever you need to get you through the day. I’ll pray for the big things—I’ll pray to see you in your perfect place.”
Eventually things sorted themselves out. I was able to load up the U-Haul trailer and move to Seattle where I continued working for the same insurance company in an office located at Sixth and Stewart. One of my friends there, was a guy named Arthur B. Cook. He was probably ten years older than I was. We sometimes grabbed a cup of coffee in the café downstairs (The only Starbucks back then was their storefront near Pike Place Market!) and occasionally grabbed lunch together, also downstairs.
By the way, during the ten years I worked for the Equitable Life Assurance Society, no one ever made a pass at me—not once, and that includes Arthur B. Cook!
I made a living selling life insurance, but writing was what I had always wanted to do. Eventually that became a possibility, and when I told Art, he was nothing short of encouraging and told me to go for it.
When I wrote Until Proven Guilty, the main character was a guy born during the course of World War II to a mother who’d been pregnant with him when his father, her fiancé, died in a motorcycle accident. When it came time to name him, I gave him the last name of Beaumont after the name of the town in Texas where his deceased father had been born. Why did I do that? Because that’s where Estelle Dubose was born, too!
When the book was published in 1985, I went through my rolodex (Yes, those were a thing back then!) and invited everyone I knew to the grand opening signing, including people from work.
Naturally, Art, who had been one of my cheerleaders, bought a copy of the book and took it home. When his wife, Muriel, read it, she hit the roof. Turns out the B. in Arthur B. Cook’s name stood for Beaumont. It took several years of the four of us—Art and Muriel and Bill and me—going to lunch together to convince Muriel that absolutely nothing had been going on!
Both Estelle and Art are long departed now, but when it’s time to write a Beau book, here in my perfect place, I feel as though they’re both walking with me, because that’s what hiding in J.P. Beaumont’s name—a whole lot of the author’s personal history.
PS
Oh how I love those threads, woven together to enrich a life! Thank you for sharing so many of those!
When you refer to writing “in [your] perfect place”–which IS a big thing–it sounds like Estelle’s prayer was answered, which encourages one to keep on praying. What a gift to have friends like Estelle and Art!
How refreshing that you and Art could just be friends!
Wow. The world is full of coincidences. That one is neat
I love this story! Your Friday blogs are something I look forward to and today was no exception. Thank you.
Beaumont is a familiar name to me—Dr. Beaumont worked on digestion in Prairie du Chien Wisconsin–one of the many forts during the French and Indian wars; and of course now I live in Beaumont Texas–small world.
As a resident of Beaumont, and a true lover of your work, I am so very proud of Mr. J. P. Beaumont. He has brought pride to the name!
Todays blog hits all the high notes of why I love your blogs and am such a faithful fan.
Blessing to you and Bill.
Delightful! Thank you for sharing this segment of your life. Hard to believe no one made a pass at you during that time…
I also love these posts and look at to them every week. Yes, prayer works – I thank God every day for the ‘special place’ he’s orchestrated for me, both here and with Him forever! Thank you for your beautiful stories, I’m so glad you’re writing, not selling insurance anymore! Blessings! From Tacoma ??
Yes, prayer works – I thank God every day for the ‘special place’ he’s orchestrated for me, both here and with Him forever! Thank you for your beautiful stories, I’m so glad you’re writing, not selling insurance anymore! Blessings! From Tacoma ??
Great remembrances …… and as to Rolodex, yes I still use one in the office. I keep one to find client files when the computer is down for for whatever reason.
Yes, prayer works – I thank God every day for the special place he’s orchestrated for me, both here and with Him forever! Thank you for your beautiful stories, I’m so glad you’re writing, not selling insurance anymore! Blessings! From Tacoma
Isn’t it amazing how life works out? And, I’m convinced that prayers is at the heart of it. Dave and I both have some health problems and I needed to make time for some PT. Didn’t see it happening but it worked out and I’ll be able to do it without messing up anything else on our schedule.
I’m really glad you included that P.S., Judith. Makes me happy when things come together so very well at the same time as they did for you and Bill, and for your initial success as an author. Maybe it’s true that “life begins at forty” as people used to say. It also reminded me of the song “The second time around” old Blue Eyes used to sing. Thanks for the blog, for all the books, and for believing in yourself.
Your writing about your personal life never fails to touch me. Today, it brought a few tears. Thank you.
Happy double anniversay and man more
Hi Judith!
My parents took out an Equitable life policy on me when I was a baby. After 70 (!!!) years, I recently cashed it out and closed it. Kept it so long, I kind of hated to do that, but it was a paid up small policy, and the cash value was helpful. Anyway, thank goodness you are ok, brave, and a wonderful writer!
We are sweltering here in Kansas, and just wondering why we live here! Same goes for freezing horrible winters! The good weather days can’t be beat, though!
Wonderful story.
What a great story! And yes I do believe you are in your perfect place. Happy anniversary to you and Bill and to JP Beaumont.
Your message today is so enjoyable, for so many reasons! I really appreciate your weekly emails and today’s was so interesting.
What a great story, and a nice way to honor Art. Even if it was a councudence. It pribably brings fond memeories forward. I always wondered how you picked his name.
BTW I. Moved to Seattle in 96 from Phx, AZ. I learned the streets of Seattle and yhe hangoutsfrom reading the Beaumont series. My favorite series, but honestly whenever I see a Jance book I have to get it. I love the stories you write,.
Thank you for sharing your stories.
Mary.
Thanks for sharing a wonderful story and memory.