Thursday, November 5

Dear Little Jo,

Your bike is parked at the racks on the north side of the school. I taped the key for the new lock under the seat for you. I meant to do this a while ago but it took me forever to figure out where Cherry Valley actually is. Do you know it isn’t officially called Cherry Valley at all? Officially it’s just a part of the Mississippi River Gorge. They only call it Cherry Valley because girls supposedly lose their virginity if they go there. Am I the only person who doesn’t get these jokes? I mean I don’t think I am. I think everybody just calls it Cherry Valley without realizing it isn’t the real name.

Sylvan was the one who told me, in the end. He thought it was hilarious when I borrowed his phone to look up Cherry Valley on the map and couldn’t find it.

This is just a quick note. I wanted to get Nelly back to you ages ago but I’m doing it now at least.

Sincerely,

AK