Page 29 of All In
P.S. Stay away from the trashy girl upstairs. I don’t like her. She sounds like trouble.
Nov. 2, 1997
Dear Maria,
Well, I took your advice, and I accepted the job. But a funny thing happened. I’ve been there for two weeks now. Learning the ropes, getting to know the employees and such. Then today these two really tall dudes knocked over a huge display of beans. It was a mess. They couldn’t have been nicer, though. They felt so bad and even helped me clean it up. Well, we started talking, and they told me about the construction business they had just started about a year earlier. Givens Construction. They are cousins and are trying hard to get this up and running. One of the owners, Scott, just got married like two years ago, I think he said. And get this…they are looking for people to train.
They offered me a job on the spot!
So, I took it! Life is so funny sometimes. In a matter of less than a month, I was working in IT, gainfully unemployed, then a grocery store manager, and now tomorrow I’m going to learn about how to read a blueprint. I’m sure some people would say that it was fate. You know how much I hate that new age BS. However, my faith in happy accidents has been restored. I couldn’t wait to come home and write this letter to tell you. Ricky and I are heading to Dexter’s to celebrate. Big C has the night off, so he is going to be joining us. I think Ricky wants to introduce me to this girl he works with. Well, I guess I should say woman. I don’t trust his opinion about women, so I’m scared if I’m beinghonest.
Also, I wanted to ask you how school is going? You mentioned it in your last letter. I know the situation with your dad and Chad (GOD I hate that name) made things worse for you, I’m sure. I know what getting your degree meant to you. I’ll never forget the look on your face when you got accepted to Ohio Northeastern. Let me know.
Yours, Sam
Jan. 16, 1998
Dear Sam,
School is okay, I guess. I’m still majoring in exercise science and I decided only recently to minor in Psychology. And that’s because of you. You were always interested in psychology, so I thought, what the heck! Why not! It’s hard, but I’m dealing with it. I know that you always wanted to be a psychologist. Did you ever think about pursuing it? You should!
Oh yeah! Congrats on the construction job. That’s great! I love it when things work out like that. And I’m proud of you for taking that management job. I know you weren’t thrilled about it. And see how it worked out. If you wouldn’t have listened to me, then you wouldn’t have been there when those guys knocked over the beans. You’re welcome.
Sorry it’s taken me a couple of months to write back to you. Things have been hectic on my end. Nate and I just got back from a vacation in the Keys. He hates the winter, so he was ready to get out of dodge. I tried snorkeling and scuba diving for the first time if you can believe it. The colorful fish we saw reminded me of the fish that you had in your fish tank when you lived at home. Remember those? I used to love it when we would watch a movie with the lights out and the tank would be lit up. It was so pretty. We used to always talk about getting one once we got married. Did you ever get one? I asked Nate if we could and he said no. He said that they are too much to take care of. Maybe he’s right. I hardly have the time to sleep lately, let alone take care of any kind of living thing.
So how did the set up go with Ricky’s friend? Was she nice?
Love, Maria
Mar. 9, 1998
Dear Maria,
I’m glad you had a great time at your vacation and yes I remember the fish tank. You never knew this, but I named your favorite fish after you. It was that rainbow fish that looked almost iridescent. Maria the rainbow fish. Here’s some irony for you. Maria died three days before the night you gave me your letter. I should have taken it as some sort of sign. If only I believed in that sort of thing.
Ricky’s attempt at setting me up was a complete fail. Turns out the girl, her name is Jasmine, was more into Big C than me. I mean, it’s fine obviously. They are a couple now and my friend is really happy. Which is great.
And that leads me to the next development in my life. I know you told me to stay away from the girl upstairs. Well, turns out that Cara isn’t that bad. She’s kinda cleaned up her image and stopped being so forward with me. Even going as far to apologize for being so in my face before, which I felt took a lot of bravery on her part. Eventually, we started talking when we would see each other in the lobby and I realized she was pretty cool. She is kind and compassionate. She takes care of her sick mom and is the greatest aunt to her niece. She’s loyal toward those she cares about. So on a whim one day, I asked her out. We’ve been dating now for the last two months. She’s kinda great. Actually, her sense of humor is what I like the best about her. This is why my letter has taken so long. Between working and spending time with Cara, I’ve beenbusy.
And there’s something else. After your last letter, you got me thinking. You’re right, I have been interested in psychology for as long as I can remember. I read your letter and my wheels started to turn so I checked out what would be involved. Well, since I already have my associates, I would only need two years to get my bachelor’s followed by two years for my masters. The hard part is after. I would need to apply for a PhD or PsyD program which is roughly five years. I guess I need to ask myself, am I ready to commit to nine years of schooling? It’s a lot of food for thought.
I’m going to have to cut this one short. I have to get Cara for date night.
Sincerely, Sam
Mar 16, 1998
Dear Sam,
I will be so mad at you if you don’t pursue this, Sam!! You know you can do it! I know you can do it. Could you imagine? Samuel Harper, PsyD. I mean, you have to admit, that looks pretty cool, right? Just so you know, no matter what you decide, you have my full support. I’m always rooting for you.
I’m happy that you found someone. If Cara is as wonderful as you say she is, then I’ll take your word for it. I only cautioned you to stay away based on how you described her. But hey, if she’s cool, then cool.
I never thought we would find ourselves in this kind of weird friend zone. I guess we could call ourselves pen pals. But that makes us sound like we are twelve. I mean, I know we are friends, but I never imagined that is all you would be to me. We were always Sam and Maria. Maria and Sam. Through high school and after. You couldn’t see one of us without the other. Now, we just navigate this kinda long distance friends from afar scenario.
Oh well, I’ll take what I can get. I really wish I could see you again, though. Is that something you would be up for? Just maybe some lunch or a coffee? Think about it and let me know.
Love, Maria
