May 16, 2004

Mom –

Unless you respond, this will probably be the last letter you receive from me.  It’s probably awkward getting a letter every few years from the son you never wanted, and I’m sorry for any discomfort I caused.  But I thought it was important to let you know what was going on in my life, in case you wanted to meet me someday.  I suspect my overwhelming addiction to coffee may be genetic, and they have Starbucks in Charlotte, if that’s where you still live.  None of my previous letters were returned to sender, so I have to believe this address I’m using for you is accurate.

There’s really only one thing I want for my 23^rd birthday, and we could double it up as a late Mother’s Day gift for you as well.  I just want peace of mind.  I don’t need any long or complicated explanations, but it would be nice to know once and for all why you decided to give me up for adoption.  My PI said you were married to Dad and you already had two girls.  I guess I could look them up online, but I still believe it would be best to meet you first, face to face.  I’m sorry to hear about Dad, but I hope and expect the army takes care of you.

I promise – this letter isn’t an attempt for me to mooch off of you.  I have a place to live and a B.S. in psychology, so I can work at any fast food restaurant I choose.  Hahaha.

I guess I should probably tell you some other things about me.  I have a girlfriend named Jenifer (with one N), and we’ve been dating for about four months.  We met at a softball game when I twisted my ankle sliding.  She’s still at Armstrong working towards her nursing degree, and it’s nice to have someone to take care of me.  Are my sisters accident prone as well?

I’m still employed at the River Grill.  I’ve been there for three years now, and it pays the bills.  Part of me wants to keep this job even after I get a job in my field.  It’s a great place to study people.  If you wanted to, you could bring the whole family to Savannah – I have a friend who works at a B&B and I could comp some great meals. 

One small note of concern – I had another fainting spell two weeks ago.  Actually, it was on Mother’s Day, which is one reason I thought of checking with you.  The doctors ran some tests and I’m not diabetic, nothing’s unusual about my blood.  Mainly, I wasn’t sure if there was something hereditary that I should know about.  Even if you don’t want to meet me, sending some kind of medical information would be really helpful.

I think I told you last letter that Carol and Dave moved back to South Africa to do more missionary work.  Though they claim I need to believe in God, it’s evident by their actions that it’s more important that they convert sinners in Johannesburg.  Part of me is relieved that they’ll get off my case while they’re down there.  As of now, they have no return date scheduled.  I guess they helped pay for my schooling and I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but… sometimes it feels like I was more of a challenge than a son.  Can they get me born again?  Seems like once they determined the answer was no, they decided to put their efforts into foreign orphans.

I really wish you got to see me graduate.  But I understand how life gets in the way.  If you’d rather call, my phone number is still 912-525-5100.  Or if you want me to come up, just say the word.

Sincerely,

Everett