Letters From Avery

Chapter 1

Emberford Department of Corrections

Dear sir,

I guess I should start by explaining why you got this random letter from a random person.

My name is Avery, and I’m a freshman at Emberford Community College.

I’m currently going for my associates in art and have a written communications class.

One of our assignments for this semester is to exchange letters with a pen pal.

I was struggling to decide who to write to, but my professor said I could choose someone from a list of incarcerated people that would like to get a letter from someone.

I thought it sounded a little weird to get a letter from a stranger, and a little presumptuous to assume you’d want one. I mean, maybe you do? Did someone come and ask you if you wanted to get random letters?

The professor said I should tell you a little bit about myself, but, again, it seems a little presumptuous to assume you would care.

And, honestly, there’s not much to tell.

I’m 18. I’ve lived in Emberford for my entire life, and it blows.

Once I get my degree I want to move to a small town somewhere and get away from this smelly place. Are you from Emberford?

What’s it like being in prison, if you don’t mind me asking?

I’ve never been to jail, but I watch a lot of cop shows and it seems awful.

I’m sorry that you are there and not able to do what you want or even go outside.

Do you ever get to watch TV? Are the other people scary?

Do you have a roommate? What do you do all day? It must get really boring.

You don’t have to answer any of those questions. Honestly, you don’t have to even answer this letter. I know it’s weird and came out of nowhere.

Sorry for bothering you,

Avery