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My favorite bedtiirl who used to solve crime mysteries back at the turn of the century You tell me so many Philadelphia Phyllis stories, andon kids at school when she finds a ives her power I often wish there were other kids here, but your stories about bulliesis the one your dad wrote called "Underwater Vatican," which you sing for me sometimes, because you miss your dad (Mouy used to live but she couldn’t really explain why he was iuys like hi else to write

I love you

I’m sorry that you were sad when you were a little boy, but you’re hardly ever sad nohich is good, right?

Momma says I should tell you to hold on

Hold on to what? I wonder

I don’t know

But hold on

There, I wrote that Monht I think we are having corn choith bacon AGAIN, because that’s e have the most of, so we have to save the other types of food for special occasions like birthdays, andup in a week or so You said you have a really special surprise for et my birthday and you always make it special

Is it true you don’t have a birthday, like you said?

I wish I knehen your birthday was, because I would find you the best birthday present ever Horatio would help me search Outpost 37 until we had the perfect prize

Why won’t you tell me when your birthday is?

Mom says it has to do with bad memories

Why don’t I have any bad ood dad

That ood dad!

Love ya!

S, your "Jay-Z Princess"

(What is a "Jay-Z"? You never tell me!)

EIGHTEEN

Herr Silverman stands tall at six foot three or so His body type would best be described as wiry His hair is prematurely salt-and-pepper, and in ten years or so it will be entirely silver, at which point his last name will be appropriate He alears a solid-color tie; a long-sleeve white shirt; green, tan, or black pants with no pleats; black or brown suede lace-up shoes with a clunky heel; and a leather belt to ant--and most days he looks like a waiter at a fancy restaurant Today he has on black pants, tie, shoes, belt, and has shaved the beginnings of a goatee30

At the beginning of every class he greets all of his students at the door, shakes everyone’s hand on the way in, smiles at you, and looks you in the eye He’s the only teacher who does this, and the process often creates a hu takes so long that there are still people lined up after the bell has rung, and this pisses off the other facultyawful

Once our principal saw the line and yelled, "Get to class, all of you!" because he didn’t see Herr Silverman in the door

Herr Silverreeting Everyone deserves a hello Hello, Andrew"

Our principal made this really weird face, finally said, "Hello," and then walked away fast

Today, when Herr Silverman shakes my hand, he smiles and says, "I like your new hat, Leonard"