Are you there, Greenpoint man? It’s Judy Blume.
After a Brooklyn flyer desperately seeking an autographed copy of Blume’s 1970 novel “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” that was accidentally thrown away last weekend went viral, the author vowed to send the husband another signed copy of her book for his heartbroken wife, herself.
“It’s a wonderful story. It’s so sad and sweet and poignant,” Blume told the News on Thursday night, just minutes after she tweeted her intentions to help. “My husband and I are packing to go on vacation tomorrow, but we’re trying to get in touch with this poor husband that did this terrible deed to his wife.”
The News was also able to get ahold of Leonard Lasek, the husband in the doghouse with his wife, Katie, by text message early Friday morning. The couple is currently in Europe, so they were unaware of the flurry their flyers had whipped up back home.
“This is almost unbelievable! This whole story is amazing,” Lasek wrote. “I never even thought about the possibility of [Blume] getting wind of this. I was just hoping someone in my hood who has the book returned it!”
The flyer making the rounds on the internet Thursday read: “I accidentally gave this book away on Saturday July 25th in a box on the corner of Green & Franklin. This book is extremely important to my wife. It was a keepsake from her mother and is irreplaceable. On the inside cover is a note that reads ‘Christmas 1991.’ If you happened to pick up this book can you please get in touch with me.”
Blume’s husband George Cooper forwarded the lost-book story to his wife, who Tweeted, “Oh no tragic! Will send signed copy. Not the same, I know. Let’s hope it saves the marriage. Not sure I can find that cover but will try.”
This note touched Blume, especially because the Greenpoint man has been slammed as a “bad husband” and an “idiot” by online commenters.
“This poor guy. I feel for him,” said Blume. “People are calling him stupid, but he just didn’t know. I bet he just scooped up a bunch of old books, you know?”
Blume has asked her secretary in Key West to search her Florida home for a similarly-dated copy of the iconic book.
“We’ll see if we still have that cover anywhere,” the author mused. “It will never be the same. It will never say ‘Christmas 1991’ or ‘from Mom,’ but I can do my best. She may have to settle for a newer book, but I will sign it to her and write her a letter. I love interacting with my readers, and I really hope this story has a happy ending.”
It looks like it will. Lasek was able to get in touch with Blume early Friday after the News assured him the text from the author’s husband was legit.
“I really appreciate it,” he said. “I’ve been in touch with her husband. Really nice people.”
He also took to Twitter to thank the author for her help.
“I’m the terrible husband!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart…marriage saved!!!” he posted.
Blume, who is also traveling, quickly responded, “I take this as a good omen. Still think Katie’s book will show up but I’m on the case.”
Lasek appears to have learned his lesson about throwing things out without checking with his wife, first. His Twitter profile currently reads: “don’t ever clean the apartment.”
