Thursday, December 8th
Thank you brother, for the money. Where did you get it? Perhaps I should not ask, eh? Either way. Thank you. I have moved back into apartment, number 1287, and have even started looking for job! I will pay you back, I promise. You have helped me regain control of life. I am thinking to get job working at restaurant in town. It is not work I love, but, as they say here, "whatever pays the Bill."
С любовью
Dmitri.
Monday, December 11th
I got job at store selling drinks! Today was first day. Job is much better than working for Alfonso. Owner, Ray, hardly even stays at store. Most of day, I am alone giving drinks to whoever buys. Ray even told me to help myself a bottle or two! I think I am liking this new job.
С любовью
Dmitri.
Tuesday, December 13th
I am just remembering. When I got your letter, it was delivered to me by crazy mailman I told you about. He was yelling, something about kidnapped daughter... He wanted me to ask Juli about her father. Strange, yes? I do not yet know if I am trusting this man, but I am asking Juli anyways. When I ask, she is bursting with tears, and I am trying to find what I have said wrong! After some time, she is telling me that she ran away, and that this mailman is her father. I do not have any more space on paper to tell you full conversation. I will send in next letter. I am trying to help Juli, but is very hard. She is coming to my apartment now, instead of roof. One night she asks if she can stay on couch. I tell her yes. She has stayed here each day for past week. But I must end my letter. I am running out of space. I will s[handwriting becomes illegibly small]
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Forgive me Brother, I do not know what day it is. It is less hot, so I am thinking it is winter.
I have been living on the rooftop now for what seems like years. The girl, she is here less and less, and I am still trying to get her to tell me what has happened. She has been taking animals as weather grows colder. I am hoping it is to a warmer place. It is windy up here. No place for cats or lizards. I am growing more and more lonely. Girl still brings me food, though. I will not starve. Last week she is wanting to hear story, but I am not thinking of any. Then, she speaks. She tells me to repeat the story of when I am falling through ice. More than anything, I am surprised. This is first time I am hearing her speak. But I do not show surprise. I tell her story. She gives me food. She leaves.
---
I have not been down from rooftop in months. I spend more and more time watching city. All problems seem small from here. I am particularly watching one man. He is post officer, but does not drive truck. Instead, he drives shopping cart full of mail, and later puts up posters. He is running back and forth, back and forth around town. Now he is going to pet store. Now leaving, with large bag. Alfonso follows. Then, as he is walking away, I catch glimpse of Girl. She is taking down posters Man put up. I am wondering why, but I know she will not tell me. Perhaps if I can see this poster, I could understand.
I have been living on the rooftop now for what seems like years. The girl, she is here less and less, and I am still trying to get her to tell me what has happened. She has been taking animals as weather grows colder. I am hoping it is to a warmer place. It is windy up here. No place for cats or lizards. I am growing more and more lonely. Girl still brings me food, though. I will not starve. Last week she is wanting to hear story, but I am not thinking of any. Then, she speaks. She tells me to repeat the story of when I am falling through ice. More than anything, I am surprised. This is first time I am hearing her speak. But I do not show surprise. I tell her story. She gives me food. She leaves.
---
I have not been down from rooftop in months. I spend more and more time watching city. All problems seem small from here. I am particularly watching one man. He is post officer, but does not drive truck. Instead, he drives shopping cart full of mail, and later puts up posters. He is running back and forth, back and forth around town. Now he is going to pet store. Now leaving, with large bag. Alfonso follows. Then, as he is walking away, I catch glimpse of Girl. She is taking down posters Man put up. I am wondering why, but I know she will not tell me. Perhaps if I can see this poster, I could understand.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13
Forgive me, brother. I have no money to send to you. It is all Alfonso's fault. Soon after I get job, I start seeing him with animals. He hates them. He torments them. I cannot bear this, so I am sneaking animals home as I can. Two weeks ago, I am caught trying to take lizard in pockets by Alfonso. He, of course, fires me. When landlord hears, he is kicking me out. I am living on roof of building now, because landlord forgot to take building key. I have small tent. It is not much, but I will manage.
I have been spending days watching city. From rooftop, people are seeming much less angry. I am watching one man, each day, in front of clinic. I think he is blind. Beggar too. Whenever someone gives him coin, he shouts strange things. Once, he says something about riddles. Riddles, eh Yuri? Remember, when we were young, by the lake, telling riddles? Riddles. So much simpler than here. At least they only have one answer. Here, I am doing right thing, but still being punished. Ach. At least I still have the animals. Some of them. A cat went missing a few days ago. I hope she is ok.
Thursday, October 6
I am no longer alone here on rooftop. I have been joined by strange girl. She is saying her name is Juli or something. I do not know. When I am asking her where she is from, she is not saying anything. So, I do not ask. I let her play with animals, though. She treats them well, not like Alfonso. Still, she will not speak. I am letting her stay, though, because she has been bringing me food. She brings me food each day, I tell her stories of home country. She will not give me food until I tell story. I only hope I do not run out.
С любовью
Dmitri.
Forgive me, brother. I have no money to send to you. It is all Alfonso's fault. Soon after I get job, I start seeing him with animals. He hates them. He torments them. I cannot bear this, so I am sneaking animals home as I can. Two weeks ago, I am caught trying to take lizard in pockets by Alfonso. He, of course, fires me. When landlord hears, he is kicking me out. I am living on roof of building now, because landlord forgot to take building key. I have small tent. It is not much, but I will manage.
I have been spending days watching city. From rooftop, people are seeming much less angry. I am watching one man, each day, in front of clinic. I think he is blind. Beggar too. Whenever someone gives him coin, he shouts strange things. Once, he says something about riddles. Riddles, eh Yuri? Remember, when we were young, by the lake, telling riddles? Riddles. So much simpler than here. At least they only have one answer. Here, I am doing right thing, but still being punished. Ach. At least I still have the animals. Some of them. A cat went missing a few days ago. I hope she is ok.
Thursday, October 6
I am no longer alone here on rooftop. I have been joined by strange girl. She is saying her name is Juli or something. I do not know. When I am asking her where she is from, she is not saying anything. So, I do not ask. I let her play with animals, though. She treats them well, not like Alfonso. Still, she will not speak. I am letting her stay, though, because she has been bringing me food. She brings me food each day, I tell her stories of home country. She will not give me food until I tell story. I only hope I do not run out.
С любовью
Dmitri.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Hello brother. You are well, no? This is good. I have been thinking of you and family. Past three weeks have been... stressful. Had to get job before man at apartments would give me room. Had to stay with Pyotr. Finally, I get job. It is at pet store, with man named Alfonso. Ha. Alfonso. Silly name for serious guy. I am not earning much, but I am working. I will send what I can. Unfortunately, landlord wanted three months up front. Three months! I am having job for one day, and he takes salary for two months. This city is shithole, full of shit people. Whole place smells like whorehouse, too.
Apartment is not good, this is sure. But, pet store is okay. Get to spend days with little furry creatures. Very calming. Alfonso does not relax, though. He is always wanting me to clean this tank, or buy this food, or feed this animal. Sometimes I am wondering, if we are in Russia, if he is getting killed for being such an otmorozok. Animals, though, they are nice enough. They do not complain so much, at least.
С любовью
Dmitri.
Apartment is not good, this is sure. But, pet store is okay. Get to spend days with little furry creatures. Very calming. Alfonso does not relax, though. He is always wanting me to clean this tank, or buy this food, or feed this animal. Sometimes I am wondering, if we are in Russia, if he is getting killed for being such an otmorozok. Animals, though, they are nice enough. They do not complain so much, at least.
С любовью
Dmitri.
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