July 17, 10 NE

Dear Hershey,

Here's a guy with a red hat. You don't have to give me a guy with a blue hat in trade. Just keep it. Your dad had a red hat just like it. Well, your Aunt Carol says it was burgundy or some shit, but don't listen to her.

Your dad didn't play baseball, but he was a great man. You're going to grow up to be just like him. Good husband. Good friend. Good supply runner. Good fighter.

Love you, kid. See you at the fall fair, if not before then. Be good for Jesus and Tara and whoever else is looking out for you at Hilltop.

- Daryl

July 17, 10 NE

Dear Judith and RJ,

Found some stuff for you in this rich ass house near Charles City. Also found this huge box of big envelopes. So here's three Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comics for RJ. I know he loves these guys.

And Little Ass Kicker, I got you a whole bunch of stickers for your sticker book. Well, stamps. But you'll like them. All sorts of pictures on them. You used to have to pay for a stamp to send mail. Now we just put it by the dock. I guess in a way we're paying. People could be farming instead of running mail all around. But I'm glad I can write you more now. I never wrote to anyone before, in the Old World, you know. Not anyone. Ever. I like writing to y'all.

Your Aunt Carol's fine. Sweetheart's learned to ride a tricycle. She's also learned to take a scrape-up when she topples it.

Miss you kids.

Love,

Uncle Daryl

July 23, 10 NE

Dear Unkle Daryl,

Thank you! Pete Rose is in my book. Ant Enid got the book for me before she left. It has cover things to slip cards in. I miss Ant Enid. But she's gonna be here all winter! I wish you could be two.

Was Pete Rose a good player?

Did my dad like to watch baseball?

Did my mom play soft ball? I heard girls played soft ball.

No one calls me Hershy anymore. Just so you no. I'm Hershel now. It's ok it sounds old man. You told me my grandpa was a tuff son of a bitch. Right?

Love,

Hershel

July 24, 10 NE

Dear Uncle Daryl,

RJ says thank you for the comic books. My mom made me read every single one of them allowed to him because he can still barely read. They were so AWFUL. But he loves them. So it was cool you got them for him.

Thanks for the stickers. I don't really have a sticker book anymore. I'm kind of old for that now. But thanks. But you don't have to send me stuff. You can just write. I like your letters.

Love,

Ass Kicker

August 4, 10 NE

Pookie –

I need a date night. Take me out? Garland and Shannon will watch Sweetheart tonight if we watch the boys tomorrow night. I thought we could row to the lighthouse island, have a picnic and a little of your finder's fee on that vodka. We can make out like teenagers.

I'll be off work at 5. Can you have a picnic packed and Sweetheart's backpack packed? They said she can spend the night.

- Carol

August 14, 10 NE

Dear Linda,

As requested, I'm reporting my safe arrival back at the Hilltop. Well, I'm actually at Oceanside for the night before the stagecoach leaves in the morning, but I thought this a better place to deposit mail, since this is where the water taxis dock.

I enjoyed working with Jamestown's blacksmith and his apprentice. I came to teach some new discoveries, but I ended up learning a few new tings myself. Your council was wise to propose this Knowledge Share Program. I do believe it was Carol's idea.

It was pleasant to visit old friends and get to know new ones. Thank you for lending an ear while I spilled my heart over my sorrows at the loss of my dear Tammy Rose. I can't believe you've been through two such losses yourself in such a short time. You may not have loved your Ernesto or Joe as long as I loved my Tammy, but I'm sure such blows can't be easy. You said you considered yourself cursed. Please don't. So many have lost so much in this world. We can't allow that to make us turn our backs on the possibility of friendship, love, or family. Those are the things we're building this world to sustain.

I hope this letter finds you in good health, and I look forward to a continued correspondence with you.

Sincerely,

Earl Sutton

Request for Change in Work Assignment

Name: Thomas Mayfield

Date: August 14, 10 NE

Current Position: Farmhand and Medic

Requested Position: Deputy and Medic

Reason for request:

My fiancé (now wife) talked me into resigning from my position of deputy to move to something less time consuming and less dangerous, but I miss being a deputy something awful. I miss the scouting runs, the patrols. I missed that fascinating murder case you all worked on. I want to come back, if I can. We've talked it over, and my wife supports the decision. Reluctantly, but she does support it. And now that Andrew's left, you could probably use an extra body back in the Sheriff's Department. Besides, I didn't make the best farmhand.

Decision of Council:

Reassignment approved effective August 15, 10 NE. Report to Sheriff Earl Carter at 8 AM on August 16, 10 NE.