Congratulations!
Run screaming from your mailbox, whether in fear or ecstasy no one is quite sure.
Welcome to the college of sciences at Nightvale University
Your application was met with approval, and tears. Tears of joy, and of terrible, terrible loss.
We look forward to meeting you at our orientation day! further information will follow. Eat this letter. It is nutritious, we swear.
It is ritual.
Eat it.
Envelope and all.
"Carlos, you know we support you no matter what you choose to do. I just don't know if this..." Mr. Durante glanced at the strange letter on the table. "This... NVU is the right place."
The heavyset spanish man was leaning against the table across from his son. His dark eyebrows were a stormcloud over his eyes. Stern. But not angry- just very, very confused.
His son met his gaze, steady and sure. As always.
"Papa, I know it's no Oxford. But we couldn't afford Ivy league, and Nightvale is the most scientifically interesting place in the US!...even if it is a rechristened Midway. They've just opened their science program, it's like a sign!"
"Mi hijo-" His mom came out of the kitchen, pulling off her oven mitts and putting her hands on her hips. "That place es loco. Some kind of crazy cult school. And you want to go? Ai. Carlos-"
"Mama. Sera lo mejor. You know we can't afford anywhere else. Not with papa's care. You have to think of Nina. She'll need to go to college too, sooner then you think. And it's not so bad- 100% retention rate, and Mama- the research! There's so much there! And full lab setup and use, all new! It's a lot of opportunity Mama, and they guarantee work study." Carlos was trying to hide his excitement. Be rational. Be scientific.
"Scientifcally speaking, it is the best option. I'll make more in work study then it cost to go there- even if I have to-" he looked down at his acceptance letter and swallowed.
"-Sacrifice a few chickens to the omnipotence of the council-"
Carlos's mother threw her hands in the air, nearly dislodging her bun with the shake she gave her head.
"LOCO!"
"Papa-" Carlos looked up, pleading. His father met his gaze. Words passed unspoken. Carlos would be the first in his family to go to college. He'd been accepted to all the Ivy league schools. Everything had been set, but then….Mr. Durante had gotten sick. The bills got higher and higher. Cancer was not an easy thing to pay for. And Nina still needed to go to school. Financial aid was no longer enough. Then came the strange acceptance from a school Carlos wasn't even sure he'd applied to- paid for a pittance, tinfoil, and some dead chickens.
"Carlos. You know what you are doing."
"Yes Papa."
"Then go, hijo. You can always transfer."