Part 105 (1/2)

The frigging doctors swilled their bourbon. He'd do a line if he felt

like a line. He'd smoke some hash if he had a yen for it.

And f.u.c.k them. f.u.c.k them all.

He tore open the envelope. He was pleased that Emma had written him. He

could think of no other female he'd had such pure and honest feelings

for. Taking out a cigarette, he leaned back on the bench and drew in

the scent of smoke and roses.

Dear Stevie,

I know you're in a kind of hospital and I'm sorry I can't visit

you. Dad says he and the others have been there, and that you're

looking better. I wanted you to know that I was thinking about

you. Maybe when you're well we can go on vacation together, all

of us, like we did in California last summer. I miss you a lot

and I still hate school. But it's only three and a half more years.

Remember when I was little and you always asked me who was

the best? Id always say Dad and you'd pretend to get mad Well,

I never told you that you play the guitar better. Don't tell Dad I

said so. Here's a picture of you and me in New York a couple of

years ago. Dad took it, remember? That's why it's out of focus. I

thought you'd like to have it. You can Waite me back if you feel

like it. But if you don't that's okay. I know I'm supposed to have

paragraphs and stuff in this letter, but I forgot. I love you, Stevie.

Get well soon.

Love,

Emma

He let the letter lie on his lap. He sat on the bench and smoked his