April 30, 10 NE

Dear Chieftain Cyndie,

My lovely wife and I would be happy to join you at the tavern to toast the end of all restrictions when the mailboat returns in mid-May. We have many matters of business to discuss. Although my wife is not officially on the council, she has a brilliant mind. I'm sure she'll have some insights, and so I've invited her to join us for the discussions.

I need to make a request of you. I know there are several people in your community who are eager to visit Jamestown, but would you please reserve two return spots on the mid-May boat? There are two citizens of Jamestown who would like to travel to see friends by way of Oceanside. They'll pay handsomely for their passage if need be.

I hope his letter finds you in good health.

Sincerely,

Mayor Garland Barron

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April 30, 10 NE

Dear Aaron,

With Jamestown being closed to visitors awhile longer, I expect the only people who will be on the mailboat when it arrives tomorrow are the driver and the guard. I won't blame you for not coming just to wave.

I've applied for a leave of absence from work with the Council and Garland promised I'll have a spot on the mailboat when Jamestown re-opens. We should be docking at Oceanside on May 17. I'll come to see you in Alexandria. I guess it's a big step, being asked to meet the family?

Daryl's grumbling about being assigned a different temporary hunting partner while I'm gone, because he's gotten used to me, but he'll get over it. Jamestown doesn't allow anyone outside of the gates alone. We have a rule of two. I understand you Alexandrians still go about willy nilly alone sometimes. Maybe when you're Chairman of the Alexandria Council, you'll make some security changes?

Oh, I know you haven't said so, but it's obvious to me you've been thinking of serving in that role. You're reluctant to challenge Michonne, but she could use a rest from leadership, don't you think? And aren't your council elections in a week? I know you do it differently than we do, that your community votes for council, but not for chairman. The council appoints from within. But all you have to do is let the council know you'd be willing. Maybe this is your time.

I'd write a longer letter, but we'll have two weeks to talk in person soon.

Love,

Mitch

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April 30, 10 NE

Dear Henry,

I'm not going to be able to make it to see you and little Zeke in mid-May. I think I'm just now back to 100% of my former vigor after that flu. I've got a lot of work to catch up on, and I'm going to be pulling some overtime. Besides, Daryl is reluctant to see me go away for any amount of time after what almost happened. But I think he'll give-in by June, and I'll probably come for a week then, if I can persuade Cyndie to send the mailboat off schedule. I can't stay the two full weeks between speedboat runs, but with the battery project progressing, I think she'll agree to add an extra run in June.

I can't wait until the November trade fair, when I can bring Daryl and Sweetheart and they can both meet Zeke. I appreciate the sketch you sent. Sweetheart's doing well. She was back to having the energy of a wind-up toy by early April, and she's been talking up a storm lately. Daryl's been busy with extra hunting to make up for the lost weeks when he was playing nurse to his girls.

Kiss my grandbaby for me and say hello to your wife.

Love,

Mom

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April 30, 10 NE

Dearest Candy,

I was unable to write you a return letter in mid-April because the speedboat did not dock for two nights as it usually does. Oceanside merely dropped all of the Alliance's letters and was turned around, but I understand Garland had already prepared and did send reports o all the community's leaders. You must know by now who we've lost.

Poor Jacob. He was one of my best farmhands. He worked closely with the pigs and unfortunately was the first to be infected. He was such an energetic man for the age of 68, and I hope I'm as vigorous as he was when I'm his age. It was tragic to see him laid low by this insidious illness. His widow is only 58. I'm sure she'll have her share of suitors soon enough.

As you must know, Linda lost her beau. She's thrown herself into the work of the tavern once again, but I'm keeping a wary eye on her. Losing Joe so soon on the heels of Ernesto cannot have been easy. She's taken to calling herself a black widow and has sworn off all men for the remainder of her spinster's life. I'm striving to be a good friend, and for now, that seems to be good enough. I even made her laugh last night.

Dianne is doing well. We both were miraculously spared the illness, which is fortuitous, considering the number of hours we both had to work during the labor shortage. Dianne, in collusion with Dr. Ahmad, insists I take a breather for the sake of my blood pressure. I cannot just yet, but I have relented and promised to do so in mid-May.

I know this is going to come as a shock to you, since you consider me such a dedicated homebody, but I'll be taking that breather in Alexandria. Dianne thinks if I stay in Jamestown, I won't be able to resist the work. Garland has assured me a spot on the mid-May speedboat. I intend to venture on to Alexandria from Oceanside to see my dear friend and my little namesake. I've been wanting to meet the tyke.

I'll fill you in on all the gossip in person.

With much affection,

Gunther