Chapter Eight Eleventh Grade
Dear Glory,
So I did play one of the songs I wrote at our school's end of the year talent show, and people really liked it. My friend Ashley told me she was really impressed and she wants me to teach her to play guitar. It’ll be nice to be able to spend some time with her this summer.
I got a job at the grocery store down the street from where I live. I’m mostly just bagging up people’s groceries, but it’s fun to talk to people and see what kinds of things they buy. Are you going to get a job? Maybe you don't need to.
Bye,
Collin
July 30, 2009
Dear Collin,
I got my driver’s license and my parents got me a car last week! It's a convertible and I love it so much, even though it’s kind of an older car. Sometimes I just go out driving even when I don't have anywhere I need to go.
I did actually have a job for a week as an assistant counselor at space camp.
It was so awesome because I got to help set up all the exhibitions and activities and see how all the equipment works.
They had this huge, inflatable planetarium where all the kids could fit inside.
I’m definitely going to work there again next summer.
If I worked at a grocery store I'd spend all my time riding up and down the aisles on the carts and then I’d probably run into someone and get fired, so I don’t think I’ll ever work at a grocery store.
Those carts are just so fun to ride on. Do you ever ride on the carts?
I told Michael about how I've been writing to you all this time and he got mad and told me I couldn’t write to you anymore.
But I think that's stupid. I’m going to keep writing to you.
Michael doesn't control me. I do kind of like that he’s jealous, though.
He's planning something really special for us for homecoming and I can't wait! Do you think you’ll go to homecoming?
August 25, 2009
Dear Glory,
That's cool that you got a convertible. My favorite thing about convertibles is that everyone around you can hear the music you're playing.
One time I brought a boom box onto the train with me and played music because I thought everyone would like it, but they all gave me dirty looks and told me to shut it off.
So much for trying to have a dance party on the train.
I do sometimes ride on the grocery carts in the parking lot at night when I’m collecting them, but never in the store.
What I like to do is hide in the refrigerated cases and scare people when they come to get milk and eggs.
I’ve only done it a few times, but the last time I did it my supervisor caught me and wrote me up, so I probably won’t do it anymore.
It’s a good thing I got a job, though. I needed to buy a bunch of new clothes because I’ve suddenly grown a lot taller and all my pants are too short.
I think I will go to homecoming this year. I want to ask Ashley to go with me, but I’m kind of nervous. I usually feel really comfortable around her, but lately it's been different.
Bye,
Collin
October 11, 2009
Dear Collin,
I hate boys. Except for you, I guess. Michael Dunford broke up with me.
His special surprise for homecoming was getting us a hotel room after the dance so he could sleep with me.
When I found out and told him I wasn’t going to do that, he said there was no reason for us to keep on dating and left me at the dance.
I had to get a ride home with my friend Allie Morrison.
And then yesterday someone told me they saw him making out with Rochelle Connors in the parking lot.
I don’t care. He had a huge zit on his chin and now I don't have to stare at it anymore. I hate him so much. I can’t believe that’s all he wanted from me all of this time, and now he’s happily sucking someone else’s face while I've been crying every night for a week. Whatever. He’s a douche bag. I hope you're doing good.
Sincerely,
Glory
November 18, 2009
Dear Glory,
I always knew Michael Dunford was a jerk.
I’m sorry all of that happened to you, but that’s awesome that you stood up to him.
I watched a show one time that said when teenagers say no to sexual advances, it builds character.
I think it was something my mom was making my older sister watch.
Anyway, if it makes you feel any better (and I’m sure it doesn’t), I think you did the right thing.
My homecoming was actually really great.
I won’t say too much about it because I don't want to rub it in, but I did end up going with Ashley, and it was amazing. It was really good. Now I’m spending a bunch of time with her and I'm teaching her guitar and she comes up to the roof with me a lot to play and sing and... do other stuff. It’s been a really good month.
Anyway, I hope things start looking up for you. You'll find someone better than Michael Dunford.
Bye,
Collin
January 7, 2010
Dear Collin,
It’s 3AM and I’m writing to you because I can't sleep. My parents are yelling at each other again. This time they're arguing over who drank the rest of the orange juice. It seems like they get worse every day and I hate it.
I’m glad you’ve been having fun with Ashley, but why have you been taking her up to the roof?
I thought that was your sanctuary where you could be alone.
I don't know why you would bring someone else up there to invade it. What if things don’t work out well with Ashley?
Then your special place will be tainted.
I’m not planning on finding anyone to replace Michael Dunford. I kind of don’t believe in love right now. My parents used to be in love, and now it seems like all they want to do is kill each other. I don't want that to happen to me.
Do you ever wonder if everything is a dream and soon we’ll wake up and laugh about everything we thought was real? That'd be crazy. Okay, I think I'm just really tired.
Sincerely,
Glory
February 22, 2010
Dear Glory,
Are your parents doing counseling? Maybe they should take another vacation together. Sometimes my parents go to Milwaukee to spend time together. It's not the most exciting place, but they say anywhere without all of us kids is romantic.
I don't think things will be ending anytime soon with Ashley. Lately she's been talking about our future together, like where we’re going to go to college and when we’re going to get married. It's a little scary, actually.
Sometimes I do wonder if I'm dreaming. Once I had this dream where I was at my school and I was trying to find my Geometry class, but every classroom I went into was the band room.
It was really frustrating, and I totally thought it was real.
Or sometimes I think about what it would be like if we lived in a virtual reality, like in that movie Avatar.
Have you seen that yet? If I were to live virtually I would want it to be in a world where everything was controlled by music.
Anyway, I hope your parents can work things out.
Bye,
Collin
April 5, 2010
Dear Collin,
My parents are getting a divorce. I don’t really want to write about it. Will you tell me a funny story? I need a distraction.
I saw Avatar. I didn’t really like it that much, it was so unrealistic. But I guess if I was going to live in a virtual world I’d want it to be one where everyone made the right choices and everything made sense.
All the girls on the volleyball team threw an end of season party, but I didn't go because I didn't feel like it, and they were all drinking beer and the cops came, so I guess I dodged a bullet there, but I still kind of wish I had gone because I keep hearing all these awesome stories about it.
I was going to go to prom with a group of my girl friends, but Allie got asked by some guy on the debate team, and Sasha’s parents suddenly decided they were all going to go to the Bahamas that weekend, so I’ll probably just stay home and watch movies. Or maybe I'll go skydiving.
I know I sound really pathetic right now, but please write me back.
Sincerely,
Glory
May 20, 2010
Dear Glory,
I’m really sorry about your parents, that must be awful.
I sort of feel bad talking about funny things, but I did actually have something pretty crazy happen to me.
Last week when I was working at the store, this older lady came in and just stood there, staring at me.
When I asked her if I could help her, she said: “Yes, you can marry me.
I'm in love with you.” Then she sang this song to me about a hamster, and she followed me all around the store, and finally the manager had to escort her out. It was weird.
Last weekend I took my guitar downtown and performed on the street. I was nervous about it at first, but after about 10 minutes I just started having fun. And I made a lot of money from people listening or passing by. I think I'll be doing that all summer.
I'm sorry again about your parents. I hope you're doing okay.
Bye,
Collin