Chapter 19
Frida Rodriguez ... En Route
May 28, 1992
Paris, France
Dear Kate,
The world is repugnant! I hate it! HATE ! They’re shelling Red Cross convoys on their way into Sarajevo and yesterday there was a mortar attack on a breadline outside a bakery – twenty-six people died – trying to get something to eat! AND! The riots in L.A.! I’m furious! I can’t believe those disgusting cops weren’t convicted! Who am I kidding? Of course they weren’t!
Want to know the stupid frosting on the stupid cake? I told Kirby how I’m worried about Niko and still waiting to hear from my professor and the whole world is going nutso while I’m sitting in a hotel in Paris reading books about women who did something about it. I’m ready to BE one of those women doing something about it! Do you know what he had the nerve to say? He asked me if I really think I’m ready. He made it sound like I don’t know what war’s really like. Just because he studies buildings destroyed in wars, he’s an expert? Now we’re mad at each other and we’ve only gotten through twenty-eight goat cheeses at the fromagerie. How else am I supposed to distract myself? Why did he have to go and ruin a good thing?!?
AHHHHH!
Calgon take me away! Tell me MORE about Sven. Construct some happiness to divert my attention from how lousy life is!
Your grumpy pen pal who is NOT having a Nice Day,
Frida
P.S. Sorry – I should have led with this – I’m just so mad. My family is fine if anyone can be fine in a city world universe that is so not fine!