10-17-05
9:53pm

Dear Jake,

As I was driving home tonight from school I thought of Dasha and as I imagined her warm loving cheeks that have sheltered my nose more times than I can count, I decided to drive by the Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop and get her and my family some doughnuts. I got two of each so that everyone could get what they wanted. When I got to Dasha’s, she quickly grabbed both sprinkles, which was perfectly okay, because I actually got both sprinkled doughnuts for her, and asked me if I could switch shirts with her. I was wearing my Mars Volta shirt with white skeletons all over it, and as she put it on you could tell how happy she was that she had a nice outfit to wear tomorrow and that she wouldn’t have to think about it in the morning. A thing with girls you might want to remember – they constantly want to be pretty, although with a girl like Dasha, they are always pretty, and once it is decided that they will have a nice physical appearance for the next how many hours or days or months, they will be happier because of it. This is not a bad thing, in fact, if I were you, I would embrace it. Make as many people feel as warm as possible, Jake. It is the little things that count, so do as many little things as you can.
I feel sad that the kids in your class had no interest in Harrison Bergeron as that is one of my favorite short stories of all time, and I feel that it is of great importance that the majority of the people who read it can understand it and appreciate it. The message it tries to get across is a beautiful one, and it upsets me that children, the loveliest creatures on earth, have devolved into a muddy swampy substance wrapped up in television and music and gold. I would, however, try and embrace your teacher and discuss with him/her your thoughts and feelings about the story, and ask what they thought about it. Teachers are just older forms of ourselves, Jake, just with more experience. If you listen to a teacher talk about a subject they really like, they can just go on for hours, and if you listen closely, you can hear the child within them speaking again, instead of the miserable pedagogues that speak highly of literature but do not have the wills to really share their thoughts to others. But you really cannot blame them. Nobody wants to learn.
But as you learn to expand your mind, always make time for rest. One thing I absolutely adore about Dasha is that despite how much work she has, she is not the typical high school student, obsessive over college and grades and never trying to do anything new. Although she can stress out at times, she also builds her personality and character through reading, music, and love, something that most students forget, or never try. Despite always having an essay to write, she always seems to make time for me, and for that I am grateful. Always make time for those you love. That’s probably the most important thing I’ll ever tell you.
So be wild and aberrant and speak your mind, Jake. But someone a doughnut or a rose or a milkshake not because they necessarily want any of these things, but they materialize your true feelings about them, how warm they make you feel, how lovely they are. Be truthful in all your endeavors and you will be happy. That I promise.