leslie

For an actress, Leslie sure is good at hiding from my camera.


The hor devours


Lillian and Charles

I met Leslie March 5 when she came to my door wearing her Chuck Taylor's with her pudgy dog Rosco at her side. She was there in response to my random roommate Craigslist ad.

Looking for a female roommate to share my two bedroom, one bath house with a fenced yard and semifinished basement. I've sublet my second room to interns in the past and would like to continue to do so. The room is available immediately...

I'd been living alone for some time and enjoyed the freedom, peace and quiet of my solo existence. I was nervous - and excited - when I posted the ad. The nerves were merited; I did get a few crazies. There was the woman who was in her 50s that thought I might "enjoy" her son. Then there was the British chick whose dates didn't work with mine. I told her no. She replied that her "agent would send money." She went on to say something along the lines of "this was meant to be." She may have even used the word soulmate? Anyway, luckily I found Leslie.

She moved in April 1. The pudgy dog came too. Tonight's their last night with me. Tomorrow morning they head for Chicago, its skyscrapers, traffic and, hopefully, acting opportunities.

Last week I had the chance to meet Leslie's parents, who live in St. Charles. They cooked up a fine meal: a Mandarin orange salad with sugary almonds and crunchy celery, delicious steaks (even though Leslie is a vegetarian!), fontina and parmesean stuffed baked potatoes, cannoli and limoncello. As Leslie would say, "Oh, come on!"

Here's to wishing you, Leslie, the best in Chicago. Thank you for your help with Baley, the encouragement to attempt a voiceover, crepes, lending an ear many times, humor, picking out my clothes (go plaid flannel circa 1996!), your calmness when a cop pulled me over on Delmar at 2 a.m. and introducing me to a handful of neat people, including your parents.

We'll miss you.