Blood and Sympathy Read Online Free PDF Page A

girls that way . I was seriously fucked in the head
if I thought the reverend's daughter could ever want anything to do with me.
    Dear Claire,
    I enjoyed hearing from
you. Your letters are a pleasure to read.
    If you decide to take
a year off and not go to college right after graduation, you might decide you
don't want to go at all. Sometimes it's better to grab the bull by the horns
and just do it. That's what Uncle Jeb always tells me. 
    Folks seem to like my
music boxes. Working with wood was my way of focusing on something other than
the crap hand I'd been dealt. Then I figured out I was actually pretty good at
making things, so I kept at it. It brings me in a few extra bucks, and I enjoy
doing it so it's a win-win situation.
    I'm honestly looking
forward to moving back to Hensteeth. If you've never had a choice about where
you live, Hensteeth wouldn't seem all that bad. Trust me; anything is better
than losing your freedom.
    Jeb will be glad to
have an extra pair of hands around the marina, especially during the boating
season. I've always loved the water, so it will be a little like heaven on earth
for me, I'm sure.
    I meant no disrespect
when I said we wouldn't have anything in common. Truth is, I don't care what
kind of girl you are; I enjoy getting your letters. What I meant to say was that
when I get back home you're not likely going to want to hang out with someone
who's spent all his growing years locked up in juvie.
    It looks like I owe
Olivia a thank you, seeing as she's the reason you decided to write me. J
    My Uncle Jeb has been
my lifeboat many times over the years when it felt like my ship was about to
sink quicker than a canoe with a hole in it. My brother is here at WTJDC, but we
don't see each other much. He spends a lot of his time in trouble. Some people
aren't capable of learning from the error of their ways, I guess. We may look
alike, but trust me when I tell you, that's where all our similarities end.
    I'm seventeen, and if
I'm lucky, my eighteenth birthday will be celebrated in Hensteeth. They're
thinking about letting me out of here on account of good behavior.
    What do you do for fun
during the winter months? Do you ice skate? I used to be a pretty fair ice
skater back in the day. Ha ha!
    That was a random
question, asking me if I have any tattoos. I suppose it's because I'm locked
up, but no, I don't have any. Some of the boys do, but it's against the rules.
I do plan to get one as soon as I get out though. What about you, do you have
any tattoos? You can send me a picture if you feel brave enough.
    Sincerely,
    Braden
    Before I changed my mind about asking her for her
photo, I quickly folded the paper and stuffed it into the envelope. I'd give
the letter to Uncle Jeb this Sunday when he came for his visit, and ask him to
hand deliver it to her for me.
    I hadn't mentioned to Uncle Jeb that I'd been writing
to the reverend's daughter. He was always supportive, but I didn't know whether
he'd approve of our exchanging letters. Near as I could tell, it was all
harmless fun, and it gave me something other than the sunrise to look forward
to each day.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Claire
Copeland
     
    "Claire!" Olivia called. "Someone's
here to see you."
    I wrinkled my nose and contemplated ignoring her.
I couldn't imagine who'd be stopping by on a Monday evening to see me, but I
knew if I didn't go downstairs and at least make an attempt at being sociable,
she'd pitch a fit about how I needed to try and be nicer to people.
    Jeb Sayer stood in our living room, his hat in his
hands. He nodded and smiled in my direction. "Hello, Claire. I drove over
to see my nephew yesterday afternoon."
    And you're telling me this why ? I wasn't
sure how to respond to that, so I didn't. He reached into his shirt pocket and
pulled out an envelope. "He asked me to bring this to you."
    "Oh, Braden. Right. Thanks, Jeb." I gave
him a weak smile. For some reason, I felt heat creep into my cheeks.
"We're pen pals. It was Olivia's