Are you one of those people who gets offended if someone asks their weight? What are you up to now? Hope everything is going okay and you’re feeling even better.

Why are you so against going to church? There’s got to be single guys you can meet there. Since you asked, it’s been a long time since the last time I’ve been to one. You’ve got to know I laughed at you writing “scrubs.” Haven’t heard that word since HS. I’d like to tell you you’re wrong about the guys being douches part, but… you aren’t. Some of the soldiers under me are all right, but the rest… I don’t know how they’ve made it to their twenties.

Haven’t heard anything about Ax’s paperwork, but we should get on figuring it out. It’s tricky because we’re not supposed to take animals back with us, but I know I’ve told you other soldiers have done it.

I’m really sorry about your mom again. Technology and medicine are improving…. And she has all of you to support her. You can’t expect the worst. I’ll be thinking of you all. Write me whenever you need. You’re past being shy with me, remember?

-Aaron

From: [email protected]

Date: February 21, 2009 12:58 a.m.

To: [email protected]

Subject: RE: Stop

Aaron,

You made me cry. I’ve been so much more emotional lately than usual, I didn’t think it was possible. Thank you for being so nice. I thought we were past being pen pals, but I didn’t want to assume how much I could share with you. I really enjoy talking to you. Like I said, you were the first person I thought of to write. (If my best friend or anyone else in my family ever saw me write that, they would kill me, so that’s something to think about.)

The biopsy was done yesterday. They should have the results soon. Her husband and I went with her to get it done. She told me to stay home, but I wasn’t about to do that. It’s gotten all of us shaken up. We’re all so close, the idea of something happening to her…

I’m crying just thinking about it, and I feel like a jerk complaining when I know you’ve lost friends. I’ve never lost anyone, so that might be why I’m being this way… but how the hell do you come back from that? I don’t understand how anyone could ever be okay with it. I’m a mess. I’m sorry. Everyone was over for dinner on Tuesday, which should have been a sign because she never invites the whole family over for food during the week, and we were eating at the table when my mom suddenly busts out with “They found an abnormality in my mammogram. I already went for blood work and now I have to get a biopsy,” all while eating lasagna like it was nothing. I don’t think it’s ever been so quiet at the dinner table before and something tells me it never will be again. Usually everyone but me is yelling over each other to talk, and it was completely silent.

I’ve hijacked the conversation. Let’s get back to it before I cry again.

No, I’m not offended by the weight question. I’m just not going to tell you how much I weigh. :) I haven’t gained it all back. The costumes came out fine. I’ve done three more since then. I’m still really far behind on my day job work though. I’ve slept about 8 hours total over the last two days.

There are no single guys in church! What is this? The 1800s? Lol. Single men don’t go to church period, at least not any of the churches I’ve ever gone to. Give me a break. Do you know anyone who does? I bet not. I’m better off trying to pick up a single dad at my niece’s school. Now that I think about it, I could make a good stepmom.

The worst part of everything with my mom is that I know chances are she’s going to be fine, but I still can’t help but think of the worst every night as I’m lying in bed. It’s an endless circle. My little sister doesn’t want to talk about it. She went on this long rant about how she needed to be checking her breasts every month and not waiting until her yearly mammogram to make it happen. I wanted to kill her. It’s already done. There’s nothing we can do about it. Why did she need to comment?

Hijacking this conversation again. I’m sorry.

Can you get in trouble with the local government for trying to take Ax?

-Ruby

From: [email protected]

Date: February 22, 2009 12:01 p.m.

To: [email protected]

Subject: Stop again

Ruby,

Don’t cry. I tell you things I don’t even tell my best friends. Don’t tell them I ever said that. :]

Any word on the biopsy?

Don’t feel bad about bringing this up with me. What happened to my friends… I’m all right talking about it. You’re close to your mom. You’re going to be upset. Look, if I really thought something was going to happen to her, I’d tell you how I’ve learned to deal, so I’m not going to say anything. Be strong for her right now and the rest of you all can lean on each other.

I’m always here to talk to if you want. You got IM or something? I have a Skype account I signed up for but never used.

That’s good to hear you’re getting back to work. Get your day job work done when you can. They can’t expect you to be better overnight. Have you talked to your aunt with the attitude problem?