Dear Hayley: Wassup?

The following is a letter I wrote to my daughter who I am unable to see or speak with presently due to a restraing order filed against me by my wife, as she claimed I abused her violently, and threw me in jail afterwards. This never happened:

Hi Hayley,

I'm at Starbuck's now having some coffee, which I love, and I thought I'd write you again while I'm here.

I'm still staying with my friend, and I'm very glad to be with her right now. I've known this girl for 23 years, and I actually dated her before I dated your, uh, mother. I've told this girl all about you, and what you mean to me. She is very much looking forward to meeting you sometime.

There are very few friends I really trust and love, Hayley. Jacki, the girl I stay with now, is one of them, if not the only one, and she is very good for my soul.

It's cold outside here where I live, and it actually snowed this morning. I very much enjoyed watching the snow fall through the trees earlier today. This was very beautiful to see for me. Jacki has a lot of trees in her back yard, and this is where I watched the snow fall.

When you were younger, you and I would sleigh ride often in the snow, and we would have snowball fights occasionally. You would always win these snowball fights due to that awesome arm of yours.

I'm still looking for a job, Hayley. I'm applying about everywhere for a job, so I'm sure someone will hire me soon. I do not like not having any money, of course. Your dad has done a lot of different jobs in his life so far. When I was a medic in the Navy and Marine Corps, I did a lot of things I really enjoyed.

I used to work in a newborn nursery- caring for brand new babies by feeding them and holding them when they cried. This was when I was only 19 years old, so I had no idea then I'd actually be a father to you, which totally rocks. So caring for these babies was good practice for me till you were born. You are kinda cool.

After being a medic, I continued to work with doctors in hospitals taking care of patients for 10 years or so. This is when your mom and I went to college at night. Then, I worked for (gag) drug companies, for about 10 years. When I did this work, I think I made more money than God.

This was cool- cause Mom and I were able to get a really nice house, and provide for you so you could have everything you possibly could want or need. I can't believe I actually wore a suit and tie when I did this work for the drug companies.

It's Saturday, and I'm at the mall right now, since Jacki is working till 1 p.m. today. I'll meet her near the mall after she gets off of work today. Earlier, I walked by the Claire's store here in the mall, and I thought of you, of course. You and I use to go to this stores all the time- especially when you were younger.

Also, a girl from Israel here at the mall insisted on making my hands soft with salts and creams she was selling. This felt good when she was doing this to my hands and nails.

She wanted me to buy these salts and creams for Jacki, I think. She kept on talking about my girlfriend when she was doing this to my hands, and I was, like, geeeezzzzz......

I'll go to the bookstore soon here at the mall, which I love. This is where I'll meet Jacki pretty soon. I think bookstores and libraries are great, cause I always learn something new when I read a book.

It is always a good thing to learn, Hayley. There are a lot of people who choose not to learn what may be important, so they go through their lives a bit blind to what may be the truth, which is gained by knowledge. Please do not be like these other people.

Tonight, I'll be staying in a hotel room, cause Jacki has a free room for me. She is going out with her friends tonight, so I'll probably just hang out and watch TV. Or I'll read and write, which is what I do all the time, as you know. I like hotel rooms cause you can just hang out and relax without anyone bothering you.

Your dad has had a lot of people bother him lately. And also at a hotel, you really don't have to worry about cleaning your room, which is cool, cause your dad can be kind of messy at times.

I promise I'll write later, and I love you very much,

Dad