From: Nick.Hoffman@us.gov.org
To: Beth.Hoffman@mymail.com
Dear Stubborn Beth,
You're not listening. This guy is bad for you. You'll be bored within a year if you marry him. I know he hasn't asked yet but I can read between the lines. You can't marry him without me there, so I may never come home. I know in your stubbornness you will react irrationally if I try to tell you what to do. You have always been the most obstinate baby/girl/woman I know. I'm asking you to take things slow and wait.
Your equally stubborn brother,
Nick
***
I wake up cramped and needing to pee again. The Jeep stops moving and I peer out the window. We're at a rest stop. Rack reaches into the back seat and hands me a small travel pouch.
"Make it quick. The toothbrush is mine, use it. I'll give you five minutes
