Free Freaky Fast Frankie Joe by Lutricia Clifton Page B

say. “B–u–r–r–i–t–o.”
9:00 A.M.
    FJ follows me to the front room after breakfast. “Here you go, Frankie Joe.” He hands me a letter. “This came for you today.”
    My heart jumps when I look at the returning address on the envelope. It says “Webb County Texas Jail.” Racing upstairs I sit down at my desk and open the envelope carefully so I don’t tear the letter inside. I’m disappointed when I see there’s only one page.
    Can’t be much to write about when you’re locked up, I think. I would know.
    My hands begin to shake when I see Mom’s handwriting. I try to read slow, but I can’t. It’s like she’s right there, talking to me.
    Hi Kiddo!
    How are things there in Dullsville, Sillynois? (ha-ha) Did you ever see so much corn in your life?
    Jail’s OK I guess. The food’s soso and the bunkcould be softer. The mattress is thin as a pancake. Not much privacy ether. Guards are everwhere you look; they stick their nose in everthing. But I’ve met some neat gals; we play cards and talk to pass the time. A couple of them are talking about going into business together and asked me if I would be interested. I told them I might be
.
    I can have visitors on Tuesdays. That jerk Ricky came to see me last week. He’s that friend I told you about. You know, the one that set up that deal that went bad. He apologized for getting me in trouble, swore he thought it was on the up-and-up. I’m still mad at him for not coming forward when I got arrested. He told me he’d been checking out a deal in Nevada and said he’d make it up to me. I’m planning on talking to a lawyer soon to see if I can get a new hearing. Keep your fingers crossed!!!
    Hey look, kiddo, I’m real sorry about this mess. I was just trying to make a few bucks. I’ll be out of this joint before you know it
.
    I’m not much of a writer, but that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking of you. I can hardly wait to see you. Love ya loads!
    Marti
    XOXOXO
    I read the letter a second and third time, and then read my favorite parts again.
    I’m planning on talking to a lawyer soon to see if I can get a new hearing
. . . .
    I wonder how long that will take. My heart pounds like a drum. Maybe she’ll get out early!
    Keep your fingers crossed!!!
    â€œYou can bet on it, Mom.”
    I can hardly wait to see you
. . . .
    â€œMe too—”
    Hearing a creak, I turn toward the stairs. It’s FJ.
    â€œLizzie thought you might want to write to your mom.” He lays a stack of envelopes and a book of stamps on my desk. “You got paper?”
    â€œYes sir.” I indicate the open notebook on my desk. “Thanks.”
    â€œThank Lizzie. It was her idea. I’ll take your letter to the post office when you’re done, if you want. It closes at noon on Saturdays.” He stands there, rubbing his mouth, then says, “You, uh, you mind if I read it?”
    Read Mom’s letter! But she wrote it to
me
.
    Though I don’t like it, I say, “Guess not.”
    FJ shakes his head slightly as he reads the letter. “You ever meet this Ricky?” he asks, frowning.
    â€œNo sir.”
    After he returns the letter to me, he picks up my pencil and jots down “Web County Texas Jail” on a page in my notebook. I watch as he tears out the page and folds it into his pocket.
    â€œOkay, then,” he says.
    As FJ turns to leave, he notices the Chore List taped to the wall. “Oh, I’ve been meaning to tell you. Now that fall is here, you can cross off ‘cut the grass’ and add ‘sweep and rake leaves.’ And soon as leaves are done, you’ll take your turn shoveling snow.”
    â€œSnow!”
    He pauses. “You ever seen snow, Frankie Joe?”
    â€œNo sir, but I always wanted to. When’s it gonna snow?”
    â€œHard to predict, but most likely