Page 65 of Mostly My Boss
Ethan,
You didn’t write back after my last letter. Was it because of that guy I told you about? You always get weird when I tell you I’m seeing someone, yet you literally sent me a letter listing five women you’d slept with in a single week. That was the entire letter. The five women you slept with. Anyway Gary (and YES Gary is a real name for someone age 22) is gone.
(Stop snickering.)
So why aren’t you writing me? WRITE ME!!!!
Julia
* * *
Jules,
So this is weird. I’m at your family’s for Christmas and you’re at mine again this year. It’s nice that the proximity is working out for us, but I still think you’re an asshole for not taking my money to fly you home. I’m a poor substitute for you. I can see it on your mother’s face.
You were correct in your predictions. I did have to fix all the clocks in the house, your mother did make me look at her checkbook to see if it balanced, and I was made to eat ridiculous amounts of apple pie.
Your brothers kept asking me if I was ever on that showThe Big Bang Theory. Why do they think I was on that show?
John drinks too much. But you know that, don’t you?
The financials for the property aren’t great but they’re doing okay. I’m not liking the way the chemical suppliers and corn buyers are consolidating in ways to make competition almost nonexistent for them. Farmer suicides are at an all-time high in this country. Did you know that Iowa is the first state to hold political primaries? They want me to go to a town hall meeting, but I don’t have time for politics.
I’m not looking for sides.
Still keep watching the news. I’m getting closer. And tell my parents…Merry Christmas.
Ethan
* * *
Ethan,
So Christmas was not fun at all. Your mom spent it crying. Again! I can’t do this anymore. I am definitely a poor substitute for you. I think you’ve punished them enough, don’t you? Let them off the hook. Come see them. Or let them come see you.
You’re going to regret this. At some point when they’re gone, you’re going to think about these years with them you lost.
Anyway, thank you for the gift. The sweater is lovely. Did you get my gift? You said that’s what you wanted, but it felt strange. I don’t know why.
Sorry, this letter isn’t going to make you happy. I’m laying on the guilt I know, but still I had to say it.
Julia
* * *
Jules,
Yes, I got the gift. Thank you. Not sure what was so strange about sending me a picture. I haven’t seen you in three years. Just wanted to make sure you hadn’t done something crazy like tattoo your face or shave your head.
And yes, I’m going to avoid the topic of my parents because it’s complicated and messy and I don’t think clearly when I let the complicated and messy stuff inside my head.
I called them. Isn’t that enough for you? Because that’s who I’m doing this for.
Ethan
* * *
Ethan,
