Leslie Jordan. What did we do to deserve his sprightly kindness and infectious joy? When I heard he passed away unexpectedly last week, it really stung, especially considering he was a celebrity I'd never met. But he inspired me - to look for goodness, to use my voice, to be a helper, to keep it real. To be love and light in our chaotic world. I don't perfectly live up to that, but I always want to try. Knowing he's gone makes it that much more important to be true to those values he lived out so well.
I admired Leslie so much that, while writing my novelette Love on Hold, I used him as a model for a character. Lyle Michaud is the literary agent for Marin's famous-author dad. He's a wacky southern gentleman living in New York City who serves as a lively source of comfort and support to my heroine as she navigates the demands of her visit to NYC. When I was writing Lyle's dialogue, I couldn't hear anything but Leslie's voice in my head. I funneled his vivacious spirit right into that character, who quickly became one of my favorites. I love Lyle's habit of nicknaming everyone around him. Take this scene where he's escorting Marin to a dinner with her dad's publishers, for example:
“Old William Whitehall—or Dub Dub, as I like to call him—finally gave control of the publishing house to his grandson. Little Willy has a fine ego on him. He also wants to restore Whitehall Smythe, Inc. to its former glory—starting with the company’s flagship author, John Robert Beckett. Since J.R.B. doesn’t publish but one essay a year, Little Willy’s cashing in on the silver anniversary of Salt in the Sea.”
I stifled a laugh, because I had forgotten about Lyle’s penchant for calling people by their initials. This reminded me of how he often refers to my fiance, Professor David Everett Lauer, as “D.E.L.—or Professor Delicious, if he prefers.”
Once I had conquered the urge to break into giggles, I said, “So what do they want me to do tonight?”
“Oh, they’ll trot out a little trophy along with the new annotated edition. Just say a few words about how J.R.B. can’t be bothered to come himself, so he sent you to do his dirty work.”
From anyone else, these words might have raised my hackles, but I knew how much Lyle loved my dad; what’s more, I knew he understood. For years, he had been presenting my dad’s anxiety-induced inability to publish new work as simple reluctance or artistic choice. Lyle defended him better than anyone but me. Besides, his irreverence is part of his charm.
I wish could make a grand gesture as a tribute to Leslie and all the goodness he gave this world. As it is, I can only make a little one, but it's heartfelt. Reading about Lyle makes me feel closer to Leslie, so if you miss him like I do, you can get Love on Hold here for free all week long.
Rest in Peace, Leslie. Thank you for everything.
