The Secret Letters of Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy Read Online Free PDF Page A

not like the men I knew. *
    __________________________
     
    * Marilyn was clearly so gratified by Jackie’s friendly response, and her thoughtful gesture of sending her the columns, that she began the letter in a spontaneous frame of mind, thus manifesting the first indication of how much Jackie’s approval and friendship would come to mean to her. It is only when she ended her own letter that Marilyn reminded herself of Jackie’s role as Jack’s wife and probed as to whether Jack (who never paid her compliments) was in the habit of complimenting Jackie, his wife.

S ENATOR AND M RS . J OHN F. K ENNEDY
     
    3321 Dent Place
    Washington, D.C.
    Mrs. Joe DiMaggio
    2150 Beach Street
    San Francisco, California
    April 15, 1954
     
    Dear Marilyn,
    How extremely enjoyable our new correspondence is! But I am deeply saddened Co learn that men didn’t always treat you with the courtesy you so richly deserve.
    As for the Senator, he did, indeed, have an enchanting way of talking to me during our dates. He was amusing, witty, and endlessly curious about me. Or so he seemed. I, in turn, was fascinated to hear about his childhood amid such a large family, the Ambassador (who, as I am sure you know, is a unique individual), * and of the time they all spent in England. But no matter what he is speaking about, Jack has an almost hypnotic quality—as if he is peering straight into your heart and mind. * As if he can read your thoughts, which I found both disquieting and somewhat flattering. Being the focus of his attention is rather like burning up in a red-hot beam of light—spellbinding.
    I am deeply flattered that you would like to know more about my life in Washington. In comparison to the glittering existence you must lead in Hollywood, mine will sound extremely turgid. At the moment, I am drowning in books on American history † (which I am studying at Georgetown University), and am also trying golf (which I am not crazy about).
    As for cooking, most of the time I tear up to a little Greek place that makes wonderful casseroles and bring them home for dinner. Or else Jack takes me out. I signed up for a cooking course because I definitely did not want to be one of those bird-brained housewives who burn everything. The great day dawned when I was to make my first ever supper for Jack. I don’t know what went wrong, but I rubbed the potatoes in olive oil, just like the course taught. First, I placed them in the gas oven, then I closed the kitchen door with a sigh of relief, and went into the bedroom to read Gone With the Wind (for the fifth time), until the potatoes were done. Next thing I knew, the whole house was full of smoke and the neighbors had called the fire engines!
    Jack has just walked in and saw that I am writing to you. He says he would adore meeting you when we come out to California this summer. Naturally, my sentiments are identical and I should find it enchanting to meet you and Joe if you both happen to be in California when we are.
    Warm regards,
    Jackie
    __________________________
     
    * Here Jackie is slyly alluding to what she believes to be Marilyn’s illicit affair with her father-in-law, Joe Kennedy. In reality, Marilyn never met Joe Kennedy. However, had she ever been in his proximity, with her fondness for dominant, controlling men, she would probably have been susceptible to him.
    Jackie’s own fondness for Joe Kennedy is a matter of record (see Bradford, Klein, Heymann) and she prided herself on being the one woman who was capable of manipulating him. A cousin once said of Jackie’s attraction to men who resembled the bootlegger and kingmaker Joseph P. Kennedy, “If Jackie were at the court of Ivan the Terrible, she’d say, ‘Ooh, he’s been so misunderstood.’ “
    * Myriad women have breathlessly enthused about Jack Kennedy’s charisma. One of many examples: “I was almost hypnotized by the sight of this man. He was such a stunning figure. He didn’t have to lift a finger to attract women;