Dear John

Eric

April 28, 1993

Dear Dad,

Mom told me that all of your letters are going through Victor. I don't understand why, but she said something about you moving around a lot. Sounds like an excuse she made up for me, but whatever, I guess. I just wanted to let you know that I decided to stay in Colorado for the summer, and probably next school year too. Sami thought about coming back here, but she's made some good friends in Salem, so she decided to stay there. She misses you, you know? A lot. She spent a lot of time on the phone talking about that. She's worried about Mom, too. She says Mom hasn't been the same since you left. Sami thinks she's depressed. She said Mom sleeps a lot, and that she was even getting sick for awhile, and not eating much.

Sami and Mom have gotten really close. I guess Pops works all the time, and is rarely home. Sami even told me she's learning to cook, because we all know that Mom can't cook, and she's getting tired of pub food. Maybe you could check in on them? Call them, or at least answer one of their letters?

I'm not sure why you left, and I'm not sure why you don't call them, but I know they both miss you, and they both love you...so maybe find some time? I hate to hear the sadness in their voices when I talk to them, and it's because you left. I know it's not fair to put their happiness on your shoulders. I just don't know what else to do to help them, because I'm so far away.

One thing I have realized since Pops came home, nothing is going to be what it was...it hurt too much to stay, so I left. Does that make me a coward, to run away because I can't face another change in my life? Maybe. Probably. I miss you, Dad.

Love, Eric