The Nightmares Come While I'm Awake

Dear Ms. Jane,

My dad got swept in the riot yesterday. I’m sure you know already, but I don’t have anyone else to write or talk to. My grandmother doesn’t think well anymore, and the lady from the city hasn’t been by in a while. I’ll have to go somewhere once the streets are calmer. But, I know the mail men are still delivering. Everyone parts for them. You must be getting a lot of letters right now.

It is nice that you’ve visited me so often in my dreams, but it isn’t enough. Not with my dad not here anymore. I guess I’m going to have to come to you once the streets calm down. Let me know if there is anything I should bring.

Right now the streets are quiet, but I don’t think they’ll stay that way. It is like in movies or video games, when people are reloading. When I look out the window, I can see most apartments don’t have lights on. Even in the nice neighborhood I can see past the hotel. It’s late enough that they should. Dad would be telling me to go to bed now, but would be OK with me reading something in my room with a flashlight, like he said he used to do. I’m not going to stay up too late, just late enough to finish this letter and bring it down to the mailroom. Letters for you are piled up by the mailboxes, no one wants to go out to the mail box across the street.

I think the fridge has enough food for a few days. Please let it be calm enough for me to come to you before it runs out.

Sincerely,
Ed Freedman