BarbM

My 1sec version:

Here´s another more serious one:

Thanks a lot @anon2 and @jaedee - it worked! I really appreciate your prompt help.

Another approach among many. 
 
 

Here is what works on a Mac (and probably on Windows).
You have the "A" as a Curves object selected.
Node Tool:
ctrl+click on the upper and lower lines of the crossbar to remove the crossbar  click the Join Curves button click the Close Curve button

Hi @BarbM,
Select the shape you got, "Divide".
With "Node Tool", select the two curves obtained, then select the four nodes you want to remove, "Break Curve".
Select one of the end nodes of one of the curves, take "Pen Tool", click in the contextual bar on "Add New Curve To Selected Curves Object" then double-click on the corresponding node of the other curve.
Do the same on the other side. Select the set, "Layer", "Geometry", "Merge Curves".