November 23

Dear Eliza*Beth,

This letter is written later (the night of the day I read about your dad getting fired).

Barb and I just had a long talk.

Here are some questions for you.

1. Is it all right for us to call you or will your father go ballistic?

2. Do you want to come here for Thanksgiving? Barb & Luke said that we could use some of our savings to help you pay for the plane ticket. (I’ll give up those dinners at Mickey D’s.)

3. Have you found someone there to talk to — a teacher, a counselor?

4. Does Emma understand what’s happening?

5. Is your mom still so upset?

6. Will your mom stop volunteering at Kate’s Kitchen and get a job?

7. Did you find out what a “package” is? Barb says that it’s the money and benefits that some executives get when they’re fired. She says that only “big deals” get a package, that regular people like her and Luke wouldn’t get $, they would just get a pink slip (and we’re not talking lingerie).

8. Are you okay?????????

9. Can you tell me what I can do to help you?

Love,

P.S. Will you be very disappointed if I tell you that Barb is just thinking about having a baby, that she and Luke aren’t planning — but they are “continuing to practice” so that they don’t forget how babies are made. (She is sooooo embarrassing sometimes.)

Eliza*Beth — Should I be talking about and joking about what’s going on in my life, with my family, with my friends? I just don’t know what to do — I don’t know if I should tell you about the kids here. (I’ve been writing about some of the kids to let you know about them — but now I don’t know if I should send that to you. What do you think?)

P.P.S. About your haiku — You should tell Emma that shoes and kittens not only have tongues but souls (soles).

P.P.P.S. (or is that P.S.S.S.) I really wish you were here.