Chapter Eleven Sophomore Year
Dear Glory,
I am back in Chicago for the summer, and it’s fine, but it’s weird.
I had all this freedom and independence and now I feel like a little kid again, having to obey all of my parent’s rules.
It’s not like I want to go out and do a bunch of crazy stuff, but it’s annoying to have a curfew.
And I constantly feel like I’m missing something in New York.
I’m working at the grocery store again, and I’m glad, because otherwise I would be bored out of my mind. I get together with some of my old friends from high school and we play music or hang out sometimes, but for the most part it’s just work. How about you? How is it being at your mom’s place?
Sorry that you smelled like doughnuts for a few days. Now, if you had smelled like bacon, that would be completely different. Guys would be hitting on you left and right. I think the smell of bacon can turn a guy on faster than anything else. Not that you need help with attracting guys.
If I saw you on the street I would probably stare at you and think, that looks like Glory Parker.
And then after we’d passed each other I would think, that was Glory Parker!
And I would go back and look for you but I wouldn’t be able to find you.
And then I would go home and write to you to tell you that I saw on you on the street.
Bye,
Collin
July 29, 2012
Dear Collin,
Looks like I need to develop a bacon perfume. I could call it Bacon in a Bottle. The biggest challenge would probably be getting the smell without the grease.
I just got back from my dad’s wedding, and it was awful.
I mean, it was nice to go to the Bahamas and hang out at the beach, but everything else was really hard to get through.
Sandra, I guess she’s my step mom now, is really high maintenance.
She had thousands of white roses for the wedding, but they all had to look exactly the same, so they only ended up using a couple hundred of them.
And she’s really sweet to my face, but I know she hates me.
I overheard her telling one of her friends that she thinks I’m a brat.
I also heard her saying she’s only marrying my dad for his money.
I can’t wait to see what happens when she finds out he doesn’t have any.
Living with my mom has been good, but I agree that it feels a little weird.
I feel like I’m an adult now (well, most of the time, anyway), so I don’t need someone telling me to make my bed.
But overall, it’s fun to hang out with her.
She got me a temp job doing filing and data entry at the hospital.
It’s so boring. I guess it’s good to know the kinds of things I don’t want to be doing after I graduate from college.
Collin, I like the way your mind works. You’re different and refreshing, and I hope we do randomly meet someday.
Sincerely,
Glory
September 6, 2012
Dear Glory,
Fall in New York City is incredible. I love it here.
On the first day of my Music Theory class I sat next to this girl wearing a SPAM shirt, and we started talked about processed meat (which is kind of a weird topic of conversation), but we really hit it off and she’s amazing.
Her name is Laura, and we’ve been texting non stop for the past few days.
As far as I can tell, she’s not crazy, so fingers crossed that that holds true.
Sorry that your dad’s wedding was so lame.
Hopefully things won’t be too awful with your stepmom.
It’s a good thing you’re older and not still living at home where you have to deal with this everyday.
But I guess it sucks anyway you look at it.
You should learn to play a musical instrument.
That was always a good therapeutic distraction for me.
How’s school going for you? Are you still living with your donut roommate? I moved into a new place with a friend from one of my ensembles. His name is Logan and he plays the drums, so we spend a lot of time jamming and annoying our neighbors.
Bye,
Collin
P.S. Make sure to send me some of that bacon perfume if you ever develop it.
September 29, 2012
Dear Collin,
I would love to learn how to play the guitar, but I’m pretty sure I have no musical talent whatsoever.
When I was nine I started violin lessons, but my teacher gave up on me after three weeks.
When I need a distraction, I usually draw something.
Art has always been a good outlet for me.
Speaking of which, I decided to minor in art and major in aerospace engineering. Thanks for the advice.
Did you hear that Neil Armstrong passed away? I actually cried when I found out. I wanted to organize a memorial service for him on campus so I set up a booth to get people to come, but they all thought I was selling cupcakes or something.
I like that you get to play your music a lot with your roommate. I kind of wish my neighbors here made more noise. Sometimes it’s so quiet that it’s distracting. Probably because I’ve gotten used to hearing the trains all the time at my mom’s apartment.
Yes, I am still living with Piper (the donut roommate), but she’s not making fried food anymore. She’s on a health kick now, so our fridge is full of kale.
Funny story, I met someone on the first day of classes too. His name is Donovan, and he’s really cute, but he seems like the kind of person who would turn out to be a jerk, so I don’t imagine anything will happen with him. But good luck with your Spam girl!
Sincerely,
Glory
March 4, 2013
Dear Glory,
Sorry I haven’t written in such a long time.
I’ve been pretty preoccupied, but I’m guessing you’ve been busy too.
I’ve been dating Laura pretty seriously, and it’s been incredible.
I thought I was in love with Ashley in high school, but this has been something on a completely different level.
I’ve never felt so completely flooded with emotion; the nerves, the euphoria, the anticipation.
.. it’s like I’m living a whole different life.
I spent Christmas with her family in Florida, and her dad kept hinting at marriage.
The crazy thing was that it didn’t freak me out at all, which kind of freaks me out.
Anyway, the other night I was going to a concert with Laura and I saw a poster for a documentary about Neil Armstrong and I thought of you. How have you been? Hope everything’s fantastic.
Bye,
Collin
May 17, 2013
Dear Collin,
Hey there stranger! It was nice to finally hear from you. It’s great that you’re in love, but I never would have guessed that you’d be such a romantic. Some of the things you said were kind of poetic. Laura is a very lucky girl.
Yes, I have been busy. Some of my classes have been extremely challenging, and there’s been a lot of drama between my dad and my stepmom, but what’s been occupying most of my time has been Donovan.
He didn’t turn out to be a jerk, thankfully.
We play volleyball together and he really likes to cook, so I’m learning to make a whole lot more than my mom ever did.
We’re planning a trip to Vegas this summer.
(Not to get married, just to have a good time together.) I still don’t think I’ll ever get married, but it sounds like you’re pretty close.
Send me the invite! Wouldn’t it be crazy if the first time we actually met was at your wedding?
Sincerely,
Glory