#darry's mailbox

[superman--curtis]

dairy

Darry was confused about this letter, a single word didn't give much context

"what about it?"

[superman--curtis]

do you have a favorite member of the gang that.. isn’t either of your brothers ?

I try my damnedest not to pick favorites, I'd never hear the end of it if somebody got it in writing that I did have a favorite.

Everybody has their moments, good and bad. They're all alright every once in a while.

*he knew who his favorite was, and he sure didn't plan to say*

[superman--curtis]

Lowkey, whats your favorite color?

Big fan of green. Or brown.

[superman--curtis]

What's your favorite things about your brothers? Or silly little details you notice about them?

Even if we get on each other's nerves, we're always here for each other when it counts. Got each other's backs like brothers oughta. That and we all know each other's favorite kinda chocolate. Soda's is chocolate milk, Pony likes those little hershey kisses.

*he gave a smile, looking up from the letter to his brothers in the other room*

They got good hearts even if their heads aren't always all the way on, I'm lucky as hell to have em.

[superman--curtis]

Do you think you’ll ever settle down with a lady? Or are you more focused on keeping your brothers settled?

I'm focused on my brothers, my job, and the gang. No interest in any kinda lady friend.

*he shut that letter fast, trying to put as little thought to it as possible*

[superman--curtis]

why did you specifically try to run away with tim when you were 15? why not someone else?

Tim was my best buddy back then. We were both young and stupid enough to think up and leaving would fix everything just easy as that.

*he stared at the paper a while, thinking, maybe a little too hard*

Sometimes a guy cant help but wish we would've actually done it, maybe it could've gotten us better off than what we got now.

*he scribbled that part out as soon as he wrote it*

We never could've actually done it. Too much here that we need to be around for, and too much that no man could ever outrun no matter how fast he drove.

[superman--curtis]

do you think tim will ever settle down and quit getting tossed in jail?

*he read the letter with a small laugh*

He's Tim Shepard, he ain't exactly the settling type. Maybe he'll be able to keep outta jail though, he's been holding an honest job at the power plant. Maybe he does have it in him.

[superman--curtis]

do you ever think tim’s a bad influence on yer kid brothers?

in that vein, do you think he’ll ever be seen as more than a criminal?

*Darry looked at the letter, reading it over once or twice before writing an answer*

Tim's a bad influence on everybody he talks to, but this place sure wouldn't be the same without him.

And he's always been more than just a criminal even if other folks don't see it. He's been righting himself a lot more than I would've ever thought he'd try to, been holding down a job and keeping himself outta trouble with the law. He's come a good way since back in high school getting himself arrested every other week.