It’s nice to know your name. Thanks for writing me back. I didn’t think that you would, since it’s been almost two months since I sent my first one. Maybe it just takes a while to get to you, or vice versa. Anyway, I’m glad to hear back from you.
No, I’m not going for that kind of art degree. I’m not really even sure what I’m going for. I chose a general AA to just get my prerequisites out of the way and give me some more time to figure out what I actually wanted to do. I just feel like there are so many options… what if I make the wrong choice?
I’ve always been interested in writing, so I’ve often thought about becoming a journalist or a column writer or something. Maybe I should get an English degree, but that’s so boring. Part of me thinks I shouldn’t have jumped right into college to begin with. I should have taken a few years off after high school and tried to figure stuff out, but everyone was telling me that, if I didn’t go right away, I’d never go back. To some extent I’m sure my mother was rightabout that, but it’s still irritating.
By the way, I did get an A on the assignment. All we had to do was write the letter and mail it. I’m pretty sure everyone got an A on that one. What I’ve come to realize with Professor Wurly is that she’s pretty lazy and prefers to hand out a bunch of participation grades. Show up, do the thing, get out. Saves her from having to grade a couple hundred assignments. The one thing I’ve learned since starting college is that the teachers want to be in class even less than the students. It makes it easier for us, but it’s also a little sad.
It’s nice that your roommate shares his food with you. I’m glad you have a friend in there. I started watching a documentary about a prison in Mississippi. It looks like a whole different world. Different culture, different rules… it’s scary. How do you deal with it every day? Are there people that ever try to fight you? Do you have to carry around a shank? Has anyone ever escaped from there? I tried to Google it, but nothing came up.
Is there a library in there? Are you allowed to read? I imagine if I was in prison it would be much more tolerable if I could escape into books. Do you like to read? If so, what’s your favorite book, or what kind of books do you like to read?
I’ve got semester finals coming up so I’ve been trying to get prepared for that. I was supposed to meet up with some people from my history class to study this afternoon, but I really don’t want to. I’m not great insocial settings like that, and I usually just come off as awkward. I’ll probably just review my notes by myself, and call it a day.
When I’m not in class I like to read or watch TV, and recently, I’ve gotten into baking. It’s kind of cool to take a bunch of random ingredients and turn them into something delicious. I’ve only figured out how to make sugar cookies and chocolate cake, but it’s a start. I also have a really bad sweet tooth. I’m addicted to sugar.
Not much else, really. I don’t really do a whole lot, and I’m pretty boring. I did just get a new job, though. I’m waiting tables at June’s Diner, uptown. It’s part-time but will give me some extra cash, plus something to do with my afternoons.
What is your favorite dessert? Do you get dessert in prison? Sorry if that’s rude. On the show I’m watching everyone gets to go outside and have yard time every day. Do you get that? It would be so strange to be stuck inside all the time. You must be a really strong person to handle it. I don’t think I could.
I did think it was a little funny that you mentioned ramen noodles in your letter. That’s what I had for lunch today. It was the creamy chicken flavor, which is my favorite. I eat it a lot. Do you have a favorite ramen flavor?
Happy early birthday, James. Are you allowed to celebrate in prison?
Thanks again for writing me back,
Avery
Avery
4077 Boulder Crest Lane
Uptown, Emberford
Dear Avery,
Sorry It’s taken me longer than normal to respond. A pipe burst in Cellblock C, and we’ve all been on lockdown for the last three weeks. Everyone is double-bunking, and the whole place is a disaster.
They finally got their shit together enough to get those two other dudes out of my cell, so I finally had a place to write in peace. It’s hard to focus on the letters and the words sometimes when there’s people around me. I think that’s why I was no good in school.
The one dude, Harry, was cool. He was doing time for armed robbery, just like me, but it was his second offense so they gave him 15 years. FIFTEEN YEARS. He already served four-and-a-half like eight years ago. It’s crazy that he did it again and has to start all over, for even longer this time. If I’ve learned anything since I’ve been here, it’s that I don’t ever want to come back.
The other guy was awful. His name was Seth, and he fucking stunk so bad, bro! We are allowed to shower every day, but that dude just apparently… doesn’t. So nasty.
How are work and school going? Is your boss still being a complete dick to you? I know you were nervous about the new semester starting… that was in August, right? Shit, I missed that too. I hope it went well, and you are liking all of your new classes.
Remember that new program I told you about a few months ago? The one my counselor said was going to be implemented about career training stuff? The first one is a mechanics course that teaches you the basics of working on cars. I signed up for it. Might as well try to get something accomplished with my time here. Hopefully when I get out I’ll be able to work in a shop and get on my feet.
Did you end up taking that extra honors course you were thinking about for this semester? I know you weren’t ready to commit to the extra brainpower for that long, especially since they kept increasing your hours at June’s. Like I said before, you are the smartest person I know, so I’m sure you could handle it, no problem. You also push yourself too hard, so I’m like 99% certain you did end up taking the class, even before your answer comes. Ha! I hope you are taking time for yourself and not overdoing it.
Not that I’m one to talk, I sit in a cell for 17 hours a day. I got a package of creamy chicken ramen last week, and it made me think of you. Had any lately?
I’ve been working out a lot more. Something else to pass the time, and it actually feels pretty good. The harder I work out during the day, the easier it is to fall asleep at night.
Oh! Here’s something new and exciting. I got two new jumpsuits, and a new pair of shower shoes. Happyone-year prison anniversary to me! Try not to be too jealous.
I know that you have brown hair and hazel eyes, but how tall are you? I’m 6’1”. I was just curious.
OH, YEAH! How did your father’s surgery go? I hope everything is good, and he’s healing fine. I probably should have started the letter with that, I’m sorry.
