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Dear Mom,
(Dad, too, of course.)
I'm getting settled in, got my schedule arranged, getting started with classes.
The part time job at the hospital is going to work out okay, at least for this semester. I've told them I can't let it interfere with studies, and they seem to understand, as much as management can. The bank is set up okay, there's a decent store within walking distance, and I've got room in my money and time budgets for a little socializing.
I told you about my roommate Kristie already. She's going to be a good friend, just as I thought she would be. She's in my education topics class.
The rest of my roommates are okay, too. I can understand them, and they seem to understand me okay, so far.
The guy I met eight months ago in the department office is in a couple of my classes, including the education topics class. His name is Karel Pratt. You'll remember, Mom, from the newspaper article you showed me.
He's a bit of a klutz, but not as much a klutz as he seems at first. And he's sweet. It looks like knows how to take care of his responsibilities.
He has a friend, Dan Claymount, who is also a really nice guy. A bit more socially forward. They were teammates on the football squad here about five years ago. Both of them are pretty decent looking. And Dan's in the education topics class, too. All four of us in that class. Fun stuff, huh?
Kristie, Dan, Karel, and I have signed up for a ballroom dance class together. Can you believe it? Me, in a ballroom class? The four of us will be studying together, a lot.
Dad, don't read what follows. Only Mom. It's girl stuff. (I know you'll read it anyway, but I take no responsibility for anything you misunderstand by it.)
I'm a little bit confused. I like both Dan and Karel. A lot. Kristie does, too. (Read between the lines.) I'm just going to have to trust God on this one, I guess.
Love to both of you, and to Rick and Gary, too. I guess they can read this, too, even though I'm sure they'll tease me about it. (Guys?)
Bobs
**********
Mother, Father,
I'm really excited about classes. It is all coming together quite nicely.
I know you wanted me to do the Master's degree closer to home, and I know you're
worried about me finding good companionship among these Ehyephoottu, now that I'm an older student. I don't
think there's anything to worry about. I've made three special friends who don't
care at all about my social standing, at church or anywhere, and we will be studying together. I'm sure I will be able to rely on them if I get into trouble, either with school or with my social life.
Roberta is my roommate. She's a bit older, but she's steady. She is a nurse, and a student of dance. She's doing PhD work in anthropology. She has also been what the Church calls a service missionary -- not just a missionary like I was, she spent three years in an island country, teaching about health, hygiene, as well as about Jesus, and being a nurse where they needed more nurses. She's teaching me a lot.
Daniel is a football player. He's just a little older than I. He was on the team here five years ago, and he played professionally after college. But he's a good Ehyephoot boy, no drinking, no womanizing, responsible about his money. And he cares about people.
I will admit, he didn't particularly hide his appreciation of my looks when we met, but he no longer makes an issue of it. He really knows how to behave himself like a gentleman. He is as much of a gentleman as any of the men you have arranged for me to meet in the past, far more than some.
Karel is a bit of a riddle. He's about five years older than I am, about the same age as Roberta. He is also a former football player. Daniel and he were teammates, and they have remained friends.
I met Karel once, a long time ago. Maybe you remember me mentioning him, Mother? He stepped in when a group of boys were misbehaving towards me.
He's a little socially backwards, but he is no less a gentleman than Daniel, and no less solid, even more responsible than Daniel.
I have met my professors and arranged to meet with them regularly to discuss my academic progress. The department head has agreed to report to you, should I fall behind in my classes, per your requests.
I have full confidence you will be pleased with my work in the graduate program here.
Your faithful daughter,
Kristine
**********
Hey, guys, it's me!
I'm here safely. Karel is on campus, for some reason, but we are hanging out together. And some. Blame it on Karel, but we've met the two most wonderful women in the world. Besides Mom and Shel and Debs, of course. We're studying together and taking a ballroom dance class together and, just maybe, Karel has met someone as cool as you, Sheliah. Maybe me, too. I'll keep you posted.
love you guys,
Dan
PS -- They're names are Bobbie and Kristie. They both dance. I do mean dance. And they are beautiful, as well as cool, but more important, they understand the Gospel.
**********
Hi.
Just letting you all know that the semester has had a good start.
Not much to report, except that Dan and I have made friends with two of the
nicest women I've ever met. Bobbie, Roberta, that is, is in the pre-PhD track in
anthropology with me, also working in island culture, coincidentally. The professors are encouraging
us to work together. Kristine, who goes by Kristie, is her roommate, working
on a Master's in education like Dan.
They are both returned missionaries, and we seem to be able to talk about the doctrines of the Gospel with them.
We have some classes together, and have arranged to study together. Not to mention taking a ballroom dance class together.
Maybe too much to report.
The car is running fine, Dad. I don't yet have any place to tear it down, but, the way it's running, I won't need to.
The dorm laundry and cafeteria are just fine, too, Mom.No engineering classes, Dad.
The dorm phone number is (elided).
Dad, the next time I see you, I want a father's blessing. I'm may be facing some wonderful choices that I'll want God to help me with.
Love you all,
K
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You can find the original first draft of this chapter and various approaches I have tried with it here: https://free-is-not-free.blogspot.com/2016/05/economics-101-novel-ch04-going-by-four-letters-home.html.
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Keep it on topic, please.