It’s kind of rude that you can use the weird long version of my name and I have no way to retaliate. I’m glad you wrote me a letter and not a list of songs I don’t know and have to listen to because that’s basically homework. Did you decide what song to audition for Jazz Band with?
First, let me answer your totally not dumb question. Going to school somewhere else is…weird. I’m not good at making friends here. I probably wasn’t any better in Lewellen, but it was different there.
Now for your totally dumb question: Of course I sawInception. Everyone did. At first, I thought I understood it, but then I tried to explain it to Laurel and then…it was like…I didn’t? Then she saw the movie and tried to explain it to me, but now we’re like, why was the top spinning at the end???
I’m sorry about how suddenly we left Lewellen. My mom says it was because it was the end of the month and staying longer would’ve cost more money. I don’t know. Maybe that’s the truth. For a while after we moved, I’d wake up at night to get water and think I was still in the house behind yours and walk into a closet. Then I’d realize I was dreaming and for a split second, it all seemed like a dream. That whole year. You. Minnesota. Everything. LikeInception! IS THAT WHAT IT’S ABOUT?
My dad’s working on a new doc in Alaska. I haven’t heard from him in a while, but he’s like that when he’s working. It’s like we’re all tucked inside a drawer and he forgets to take us out again. Which sucks, but also…it’s whatever, I guess.
It’s not all bad here. We’re staying with my mom’s aunt in Seattle, and she’s paying Laurel and me to sell her “legacy” furs on eBay. She’s been very disappointed by the lack of demand for her gently used animal carcasses.
I’m sorry I didn’t write earlier. I don’t usually keep in touch with people when we leave, but I’d like to keep in touch with you. Unless you wrote just for school. No pressure.
Is it weird I responded? If it is, just ignore it and know that I miss you and that Arcade Fire doesn’t have enough songs I like to create a definitive ranking.
BOOM. Shots fired.
Best,
Charley (from the kitchen table)
PS: If we were there this summer, I totally would’ve jumped into the lake with everyone, and I want credit for that.
Charleston Chew,
I’ll let your obvious play to antagonize me and Arcade Fire go because you know nothing of music or culture.
I got the lead guitar spot in Jazz Band, which is kind of a big deal for a freshman, but I’m not great at sight reading music yet. I REALLY wanted to audition with “Maggot Brain” by Funkadelic but at the last minute switched to Prince, which was probably the right move for Ms. Peters. My mom’s been calling me Miles Davis ever since I got the spot, and I don’t have the heart to tell her he was very famouslynota guitarist.
Petey asked about you and Laurel when he was home for Thanksgiving. He’s still at that hockey boarding school up north, which I can’t believe exists outside of aMighty Ducksmovie. I told him that I didn’t know how you were because the whole letter thing takes super crazy long and he reminded me that email exists. Do you have an email address? He said that he Gchats with Laurel sometimes, so I’m guessing you have one too.
Mine is [email protected].
Regards,
Ethan (from the six-inch spot next to the register at the Donut Barn)
PS: You get the credit for jumping in a lake WHEN you jump in a lake and not one. Second. Sooner.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Your email address is weird.
That’s it. That’s the message. Why is there an 8 in the middle like a Zodiac Killer clue?
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Your email address is weird.
Chuck—
Ethanpowell and ethanpowell8 were taken.
I kind of like it. It looks like an infinity symbol in the middle,like a superhero or a leader of a postapocalyptic society.
