September 3, 1993

Dear Louisa and Melvin,

So, here I am, writing to you from college. Phone calls are cool, but there’s something nice about writing a letter.

Classes are somewhat interesting and time-consuming. Thankfully, I have the free time to keep up with all the reading and homework I have to do. I haven’t gotten below a B- in anything, which is nice. History is tolerable because it’s only one day a week, and I can spread the reading out throughout the whole week. Making flash cards of key info for each subject has helped me ace all the pop quizzes that have been thrown my way. Thanks for that suggestion!

Andy and I have taken to having lunch at my place on Tuesdays, which is nice. He’s a great listener, and he’s very funny. He shares the goodies he gets sent from home every couple weeks. His Grandmothers are fabulous bakers! My cooking skills have improved, as I’m more motivated when I have someone to cook for.

There’s definite potential for romance with Andy, but I’m not ready for an actual relationship yet. He already knows about my Graduation Disasters, and I think that’s making him a bit skittish about making a move. Maybe he’s meant to be my college equivalent of Fred & Joe?

So how’s teaching life? Any word on what the kids think of Melvin? I’m sure a few seniors were bummed that Mr. Nelson isn’t there to do a couple of his senior traditions. Hope they give you a chance, Melvin, once they realize you plan on keeping most of them. I’m sure some of the stressed out overachievers will whine you’re “unfair” because you think extra credit is a joke, but consider it a compliment.

Louisa, which alphabet range did you get this year in homeroom? Tired of reading essays yet? I always wondered how you could decipher so many different styles of handwriting. Guess it’s related to your talent for accents. Oh yeah, my writing class’s book is the same one you used junior year!

Good news! My good grades paid off–I got a grant to pay for most of my tuition, and I can renew it for four years. That means I can get by okay with my great aunt’s money during the year and only have to work during the summer. Isn’t that cool?

Sayonara,
Shirley

September 3, 1993

Shirley,

Oh, we’re having a blast here! Learning on our feet! We have the same production lab class so we can work together! The equipment is amazing!

We like our place–we have our own rooms but share a bathroom with each other and a kitchen with two other guys. Not too shabby. You’re welcome to visit! You can take the train up here!

Hope you’re settling in down there. Drop us a line or a call!

Your darling duo,
Fred and Joe

My Darling Duo,

I’m setting in okay. I spend a lot of time studying, or should I say reviewing stuff we learned together a couple years ago. We use the exact same book for my essay class that we used junior year. Good thing I brought it with me!

You guys sound like you’re having a blast. I’m glad to hear it! Taking a train ride up there sounds great. What are you doing for Thanksgiving? I’m invited to Louisa & Co’s, so I’ll be in town that weekend.

Shirley

September 7th, 1993

Hello Dollface!

Thanks for the letter. We love hearing your take on college life.

I like teaching more than I thought. It can be trying at times, but I trained the smart-asses to behave quite quickly. They didn’t expect my levels of sarcasm, I guess.

Thanks again for the furniture–our Moms love the dining room table, and I dig the wardrobe. I’ll be hard pressed to give it up once you actually need it! (Just kidding.)

I guess that ex of yours forgot Mr. Nelson retired, because he came on campus after school yesterday, apparently to say hello to him. He walked into my classroom, saw me, turned white as a sheet, and literally ran off campus. I doubt he’ll ever set foot on this campus again! Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say.

Well, I’ve got a pop quiz to write up, so I’ll end this now. Take care, and we look forward to your next letter.

Melvin

P.S. Louisa’s sick, but sends her regards. She’s got the same alphabet range she had last year.

September 10, 1993

Hey you two–

Hope Louisa’s feeling better. Glad you like teaching more than you expected to, Melvin. Happy to hear my furniture is being put to good use. One of these days I’ll grab the desk that’s still being stored. I want to be out of student housing first.

Amusing bit about the ex. Wish I could have been there.

Take care and thanks for writing. It’s neat to get mail!

~Shirley

September 12, 1993

Miss Bennington,

Fred & I were going to do some filming around Downtown LA over the Turkey Break. Want to join us? My folks are springing for a nice hotel “so you two don’t end up murdered.”

Deadline approaches… gotta run!

Joe

September 14, 1993

Shirley,

I’m finally over my damn cold! That’s what I get for visiting my youngest sister and her school-aged kids.

Classes are going well. Some of my students also have Melvin as a teacher, and they’ve figured out we’re dating. They don’t know that we live together, but they do know we carpool.

My Homeroom students are quite rowdy. Melvin’s taught me a couple things that help calm them down. Good thing I only have those kids for 20 minutes in the mornings.

If you need any of your cookware from storage, please let me know. Like Melvin said, our Moms love the furniture. Melvin’s Mom dusts every day, and my Mom polishes all of the wood once a week, so your stuff will still be in great shape when you finally have the space to use it!

Lots of love,
Louisa

Hello!

Plugging away with classes and homework like a good little girl. Had a couple of tests and haven’t gotten anything lower than a B. Most of this stuff is pretty easy, anyway.

There are a lot of really cute girls here, but it seems like half of them wear greek letters. I’ve made small talk with one who is in my math class, but she seemed too eager to find out if I’d take notes for her if she had to miss class. Been there, done that, and won’t do it again.

Shirley