FICTION

"DEAR JOE · DROP DEAD"

Jeri 49-K-3 FPE

September, 1958

Dear Joe,

You probably never expected to hear from me, but anyway I thought I'd drop you a line. You were the only one I ever got to know very well at college, everybody else just left me alone or ignored me. I know I sound like I'm complaining, but honest Joe, I get pretty lonesome sometimes.

I finally got a good job, I guess. As an accountant-so for the first time, maybe I can get some money. Boy, will that ever be a change! After going through school on the seventy-five cents an hour I used to get for washing dishes at the Greek's, a hundred a week looks pretty good, huh? The first thing I'm going to do is get a car-and maybe start dating regular. I think that's what used to get me the most, Joe- everybody thinking there was some reason I never dated. I never could afford it, Joe—that's why all those things Ed and the guys used to say bothered me so much. I'll always thank you for defending me—even though I should have done it myself.

Well, anyway I got a job now and after I get my car, maybe I can run up some weekend and we can talk old times over. Both of them. Say you wouldn't be willing to send me a page out of your address. book would you? That's a joke, but seriously, Joe, how do you get to meet girls—I never had any practice. Well, so long—wish me luck.

Jack

32