COVE

Dear Ol’ Dad,

I know you miss drinking. Prohibition hasn’t been nice on us. Hasn’t been nice on any of us. Hell, I just got a new book, looks like it’s been through worse: yellow, and tattered around the edges. Bought it from a seller for a penny, wondering why someone would sell something in poor condition. Would’ve asked, but he moved right after. That’s when I opened it, and read. Couldn’t believe my eyes!

Listen to this: “And still the Morals-tinkers plot and plan/ New, sterner, stricter Statutes to indite.” The author, Duff-something, knows a jab or two, must be from the Boston area. So how’d he end up in New York? Love to meet him, know what the hell was going on inside his head, ya know? We need guts like that in America. I think you’d love this line: “Drink coffee, Lads, for that is all that’s left/ Since our Land of the Free is washed—and dried.” 

Hasn’t been ‘land of the free’ since the ban been passed. But this book helped me realize a lot more- how the government treats us. Ain’t no joke. We need to fight back, but in the meantime, Rubáiyát of Ohow Dryyam should get your mind off of things. Don’t worry, pa, it’s not too difficult to read, someone like you should get it.

Never been one for letters, but soon, I’m coming home. Done with this book, so I’ll send it over. Should go to the pub, missing the times where we would go to the pub, and relax. I miss it so much, and I can tell you do, too. Lately, I have been trying coffee. To fight against falling back and buying alcohol from people I shouldn’t. The tics are fading, seems to be working. So why don’t you give it a try before I come home? 

Here’s a bag of beans- just grind ‘em and pour hot water over it. Should be good. Warning, don’t be surprised when you find the little book in the bag. I’m not dumb, you and I should not have it. Goes against them government, but just keep it under your arm, we’ll be fine.  Little enough, and shoddily enough, it barely fifteen pages, but I guess that’s what happens when you go against our government.

So just try reading it, drink coffee, and we’ll talk when I get home. Tell mom I miss her too, hope everything is going well with her new sewing class. Don’t forget about Digger, if that bugger is still alive. His bark would always wake me up. But now I live on the other side of town, so I get good sleep once in my life. Even then, can’t wait to be asleep in my own bed.

Sincerely,

Your son, Benj.