Simon Tellerman
July 07, 2009 2:06 PM
Letter for Paul Simon Tellerman by Simon Tellerman
Simon did not often get letters at Sonora. He had a couple PO boxes that he checked regularly where most of his correspondence ended up and he visited the family a few times a month, so most news there could wait until the next time he dropped in. Saul and Jose didn't get many, either, since anyone in the family writing to those two used the Simon Courier Service instead of bothering with an owl.So when he spotted the California Pierce barn owl dropping down out of the sky and heading in his direction, Simon knew it wasn't any ordinary, run-of-the-mill gossip.
He took a granola bar and offered it to the bird while simultaneously freeing the letter from its strap. California Pierce owls liked granola. They had to, or they'd starve. Veganism extended to the family's pets, too, even those that were supposed to be predators. "Sorry, Bud," Simon apologized, "Wasn't expecting you." As only a half-hearted vegetarian himself, Simon usually like to treat the owls with something meatier than they got at home, but out in the Gardens, he only had his own afternoon snack on hand.
Bud accepted the gift anyway, consuming it in three bites before taking off on the way back to California.
Simon opened the letter, a feeling of trepidation clenching his gut. This wasn't good news.
Simon, the letter began, in a hand he tentatively identified as Maria's. A glance at the bottom signature confirmed the guess.
I'm writing to tell you that Aunt Regina . A moderately sized blot, too large to be a period, sat next to that, as if she had rested a quill there for a long time, trying to decide how to finish the sentence. will be with us for a very long time. She's a ghost now, Simon. Can you break the news to Saul and Jose for me? I don't think they should hear it by letter, especially Saul.
Come back tonight. We're discussing the succession. It'll probably go to Joshua, at least in name, but Regina's pushing for me to run things. Some backup here, please? I'm not ready for this and your dad's gonna need all the help he can get to take over the family. This is one election he shouldn't lose. See if you can get permission for Saul to come, too. He's practically an adult and Regina has some notions about him, too.
Funeral will be on Saturday. Both Saul and Jose should come back for that.
See you tonight,
Maria
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Letter for Paul Simon Tellerman
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