Dear Brother,

           

            I hope you are getting my letters. Please respond this time. I don’t know if you are getting these or not. Mom keeps checking the mailbox. I told her I’d write you even though you aren’t responding. She’s very worried. Papa doesn’t show it but I think he’s worried too. Maybe even more worried. Now that you’re gone I get to do all your jobs. Papa doesn’t want me to though—he thinks I should stick to the rice because I’m not strong enough to lift things and Mom thinks I get lost too easily to be responsible for deliveries. I think I can do it. I’d be the only girl though. For now I am just going on trips with other boys. Papa says after my birthday I can try delivering by myself. That’s only 34 days! I can’t wait! It seems so far away though.  Oh and by the way, Gabriela says she misses you. I assume she’s writing you too. She keeps crying but I think she’ll get over it and find someone else.

Love,

Gayle