P.S. Sarasota really is a pleasant place to be. We’re a little north of Sarasota, but it’s still pretty, maybe a little down-at-the-heels. The weather is almost always better than it is everywhere else (I watch the Weather Channel when the news stresses me out too much), and there’s a beach just a short walk from my doorstep. No waves, just gentle lapping water, white smooth sand. And the green light. I’ve never seen it, but maybe you’d get lucky. You should visit.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Dear RUTH

Dear Marianne,

You asked what it was like, living with Dad. You can probably imagine it. We had frozen dinners when he remembered to stock the freezer, and peanut butter and jelly when he didn’t. It was quiet. Dad was in his study a lot, grading papers or reading. There was that time he was dating Noreen and went out more, but other than that it was quiet. We talked twice a day, in the morning before school and at night while we ate our sandwiches or our reheated burritos or pizza from Sal’s. I asked him if I should get some cookbooks and learn to cook. He said no. He said he liked this just fine. One time I asked him if he was one of those people who’d take a pill instead of eating, and he looked at me like I had two heads. Of course, he told me.

That’s what I fell in love with about the church. I love feeling needed and necessary and part of a community. I think that’s what Mom loved about teaching. You’re more like Dad, you don’t need other people. But I do.

All those things you say I missed out on? You make them sound really great, Marianne. (“Living in a monastery”? Lying on the floor and thinking—about what? Not sleeping? Waiting for some weird green light?) You said not to ask about Eric, but I liked him. You can’t wait forever to get married, Marianne. That isn’t what Mom would have wanted for you either.

Darryl doesn’t even check this account. He’s too busy for email. If something comes to him, I just print it out and give it to him.

Your sister,

Ruth

P.S. Dad did tell me about your school. And I saw that you’re run by a group that helps us with fund-raisers, GWGW?

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Dear RUTH

That wasn’t exactly a raking over the coals.

Can you send me the link to the story you found, about us and GWGW? They don’t run us, by the way. They’re funders.

xMarianne

P.S. Mom didn’t love teaching. She loved art.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Dear RUTH