December 16, 9 NE
Dear Carol,
I'm sorry I couldn't visit in person, but the boat was full, and frankly, I don't want to give the lieutenant false hopes. Why do men always want to get serious in this world? In the old world, I knew dozens of men who would have been perfectly content with a casual fling. I think you know I don't bond easily. I didn't marry Andre's father. Something held me back, maybe the fact that I knew he wouldn't be a good father in the end. Carlos is a good man, but Rick was the only true husband I ever had. I still miss him. Every day.
I wrote Garland this, too, but it looks like Eugene and the other engineers have made a breakthrough in the battery plans. Hilltop's engineer and Oceanside's engineer have settled temporarily at Alexandria. They're staying in Eugene's attic this winter, and they'll be dedicating all their time to the project. Thanks to the lithium Jamestown mined, and the engineers' hard work, we're expecting to have a replacement for the speedboat's battery come spring. Then we'll start making solar backup batteries, one for each of the communities, if Jamestown keeps mining and supplies us with more lithium next summer. I was hoping you could use your clout at Lieutenant Mayor to push that plan through.
Father Gabriel didn't come back from his "ministerial rounds" to Oceanside last week. It seems he's finally marrying Stephanie are settling there. He has plans to build a church there. His assistant minister Tom has stepped up to take over the church here, and the community voted for Heath to replace him on our Council. I don't know if you remember Heath, but he used to be a supply runner for Alexandria years ago. He disappeared on that run with Tara, and we all assumed he was dead, but he showed up at our gates while I was at the trade fair. He's had quite the adventure over the past few years, but he found his way back, eventually, after living in two failed camps. I suppose he'll enter the storytelling contest at next year's fair. He has a lot of story to tell.
RJ and Judith are a handful and keeping me busy. I suppose Sweetheart's doing the same for you. I guess she turned two, recently, didn't she? Tell her Happy Birthday for me, and say hello to Daryl. I didn't have time to write him this time.
- Michonne