The Nightmares Come While I'm Awake

Ms. Jane,

Please wake up so you can tell my teacher that she’s wrong. I said that you were like Snow White, and that there would be dwarves (or maybe elves or ogres, something like that) involved. You look like her I think, and everyone says you’re dead but that you aren’t like other dead people. My brother joked that you’re a vampire, but that’s stupid, everyone knows that vampires aren’t real, and if they were and you were one you’d be hungry and shriveled up by now.

Anyway, I hope that someone comes and wakes you up. I think maybe instead of a kiss you need the right letter to get sent. It’s probably not mine, but if it is I don’t want to get married. Maybe my dad would like to. Even if you don’t end up as my step-mom, you need to tell my teacher that I’m right and that embarrassing me in front of the class about how I was sticking to little kids’ stories about something so sad and important was a real bitchy thing to do. My dad agreed with me, but he doesn’t really make a fuss with the teachers ever.

Also, you should wake up because it is making everyone sad that you’re asleep. I think they’re scared and just can’t tell the difference. Grownups are bad at that.

Sincerely,
Ed Freedman