Prologue
Steve Writes To Rich
Steve Writes To Rich
Letter # 1
10/4/08
Dear Little Rich,
I told you I would write you! I'm not the lazy crazy uncle you think I am. After all, writing novels is hard work you know. Well to tell the truth I probably am exactly what you think I am. The only reason I'm writing this letter is because your aunt reminded me, ha ha. So how is school? I hope you're doing well. I hope your parents are holding up. Especially your dad. He promised me he would be okay and I get worried about my big brother sometimes. I suppose you would understand exactly what I mean. Anyway, I'm not really good at these kinds of things so I am going to make it short. I'm having a party next saturday ( the 18th ) to celebrate the baby being born. I'll give your parents a heads up, but I wanted to tell you first. I know they sometimes forget to ask you to plan ahead. Got to go, little Katie is really nagging me to play with her.
Stay strong,
Steve.
PS: Hi riCHArD i MiZZ YOU bYE
PS2: That was Katie. Bye.
Letter # 2
10/26/08
Dear Little Rich,
It was great to see you at the party. Katie was really excited to see her big cousin and Jude always likes to see you. Think about coming over here for a weekend so we can hang out! I could really use some alone time with a friend with the new baby around. As long as you don't mind screaming, crying and occasional vomit we'll have a blast. Maybe we can watch movies like we used to back when you were just a kid. I really miss when life was easy for you like it was then. But boy, life is sure easy for Andrew. He has about as much energy as your brother did, but when he needs a diaper change he'll just relax and let you treat him like he's a king. Hell, he might be a king one day. I don't know if they have those anymore or if they're allowed to be around, though I doubt he'll be as dumb as me. He has a cute little look in his eye already, like he knows what you're doing and he's barely a week old! I think I have the inspiration to finally start writing again.
Write me back this time!
Steve.
PS: i LOVE YOU ♥♥♥☺
KATiE
Letter # 3
11/25/08
Dear Little Rich,
Got your letter. Thanks for writing back. Took you long enough, ha ha. Anyway, I'm sorry to hear that your mom isn't doing well. Maybe I'll ask Jude to go over and surprise her with one of those cranberry pies she likes so much. Maybe I will give her a call myself. Let me know if I can do anything. In the mean time, I think there is something in the air. A lot of people have been feeling down in my house too. The baby is sick, you probably heard already from your dad. Jude hasn't been sleeping much. To tell the truth, I haven't been sleeping much either. I want you to know that even when you're depressed, you should keep your chin up. Life has too much to offer to be sitting on a couch all day watching the tube and eating potato chips and writing, Rich. I know you don't do that... but I love you little man. I want you to be happy. We still need to have that weekend together, so give me a call.
Steve.
Letter # 4
12/28/08
Dear Rich,
Good seeing you. Christmas was nice. Hope you liked your gifts. If you tell me soon enough I can get you something else. I didn't like that sweater but Jude insisted. How about I sneak you a band T next time I see you. It might be a while because the baby is so sick. I'm sure he'll be fine so don't worry about him much. Anyway, Rich... yeah. Named a character after you. Eat.Love you little man.
Steve.
Letter # 5
12/31/09
Rich,
Your father tells me that you've been skipping on classes. If this is true write me back and tell me your side of the story. College is supposed to be funn. Have fun. if you still want that band T you better write me! haha. Okay. Bye.... The babe.... misses my tit.
Steve.IT
WILL
FEED
PS: We took baby Andrew to the hospital today. The doctors do not know what is wrong yet. do not worry. he is fine i know ittland then... will I
Letter # 6
1/2/09
I haven't slept in six days. Baby Andrew will not get better and the doctors do not know what is wrong with him and i dont know what to do and im really worried but i think he will pull through - you think so? i think so. i mailed that band t did you get it I ordered it online. if it didnt show call me when you get this letter. Andrew is crying, I have to stop wrting now bye TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!
Steve.
Letter # 7
1/20/09
I HaeVnt WrItten N Years. My last bOOk Was a totaL SUCCEss. I write in white SO NoW I'm WRITING A NEW!!! ONE? So he can't see. SINCE I STArT ThE LITTLE BAbE ANDrEW IS SIIiiiIIICK. SO SIck. IN the BooK a BaBy DiEEEESSS. I crY --------- mayevb i'll stop writing. MAYBE I WONT.
Stevieeee
PS: You're in my book.
Letter # 8
2/22/09
Richard,
The baby's death has changed me. I am empty. I tried to stop writing but something eggs me on to continue. It is like I am a magnet and I am pulled to the fridge. Faint at first, powerful when I get closer. If I walk by my den I absolutely must enter. Jude says I write for hours on end. Days, she says. I don't remember doing it. She cries for hours on end. Days, I think. We're even. She is worried about me and she is so sad. Katie does not understand what happened to Andrew. I do. He was taken by the thing that I have created. A thing that I birthed without first giving it a meal, and now it must feed. It is my worst nightmare. Now my son is gone. I am gone. Gone like his bastard.Richard, farewell. I cannot stress how much I loved him. I cannot tell you in a way that will make you understand. If I do, tears will pour from my eyes until I die of dehydration.
But I will tell you. I killed my own son. Do not pursue your dreams as a writer. Imagination knows no bounds and no paper you buy will contain it. I am not
Your uncle,hungry.
Steve.
PS: Rabbits are good luck.
Unknown Letter
2/22/09
Hi Rich...
IF yoou get DAMNITSPELLING!
Rich the fake babe of Steve. Give me something good to eat. Rich the fake babe of Steve. Give me something good to eat. Rich the fake babe of Steve. Give me something good to eat. Rich the fake babe of Stevie. Make me something good to eat. Rich the fake babe of Stevie. Give me your meat to eat. Rich the fake babe of Stevie. Your letters smell of you.
Jude Letter
3/4/09
Dear Richie,
I know that he used to write your letters. So I will try and do what he did in his honor. He would want that. He was a great man. The loss of our love Andrew was too much, and it seems that it only adds to the burden and pain of losing your brother Drew. We all loved him very much. You loved him more, I know. The memorial is soon and I will call your parents with the time after I write this letter. I just wanted you to know that Steve left one thing behind... I would like to give it to you. I think it's a writer thing. A cute little trinket. He loved trinkets. He loved you, Richard. See you soon.
BITCH DOESNT KNOW
From Jude, PS - I'd like to see his letters, bring them to the memorial so I can read them please!
STEVIE MADE HER SON GO
Thirteen Uses For An Umbrella Without Rain
Opening
Bringing the letters seemed mandatory, but would Aunt Jude really notice the last few were missing? Rich didn't think so. Nor did he think that she would ask him for it if she had known there were more. Either way the problem unfolded it was best ( in his eyes ) that the letters he kept at home stayed at home. They weren't the nice Steve that everyone had grown to love over the years. That image he worked so hard to create would not be destroyed by Rich, his nephew and practically his son.
Rich handed Jude the letters. He had collected up to five, with what he was pretty sure to be missing only the fourth one. She gladly took them, looked surprised even, and gave him a pleasant kiss on the cheek. They parted after a few words and one last kiss, this time from both parties, and went on their way. Jude received constant attention while he crept to a small bench.
The cemetery was bright in the sunlight. Shadows appeared as faint outlines rather than darkness. The trees almost glowed with life. But when Rich began thinking, this wasn't a very bright place at all. In fact, the more he thought about the cemetery the less he was comfortable by himself... and the more he thought about his uncle. Rich threw his head back and called his best memories. Times of when Steve would watch movies with him, drive around with him, just hang out with him. These days seemed only minutes away from now, so real and full of life. As he turned to the small crowd gathering to Steve's grave, Rich realized that he would never see his uncle again. So he cried.
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tired, I'll write more later
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