"Evolution" Chapter 5 - Ma Cobb's Letter
Firefly letter from "Evolution" 5
Jayne
My dear son,
I thank you very much for your last letter. We were all very pleased to receive it. Mattie was very cheered when we sat down to read it. I think it worked almost as well as the medicine.
The length of your letter made me very happy. Your letters are usually short so I was surprised that you had filled up so many pages. I hope you are doing better after the very traumatic experience you mentioned in your letter. It sounds like your crew went through a very rough time and I hope you will all be all right. It made me very sad to hear that Shepherd Book was killed. I know he was your only friend on the boat and it must be very difficult for you without him. I am also very sorry to hear that the pilot Mr. Washburne did not make it. Please be kind to his widow - it is very difficult to lose your husband, I know.
She is no doubt going through hard times. And I know that she does not re-spect you now, but if you show her that you are worthy of that respect, I am sure her attitude will change. After all, it sounds like this crew is all some of you have; you all need to learn to trust and rely on each other. An’ don’t cause too much trouble for your captain. I have doubts that he is quite as self-righteous as you have described. At least pretend to listen to him; I think it will make things easier for you.
I also think you should be nicer to the mechanic. She sounds like a very sweet girl and I am sure that you tease her. That is not nice. And I know how much you care for your sisters, so you should treat Ms. Frye with just as much respect. If she has taken up with that Core doctor then I say good for her; even though you do not seem to like him much, a doctor is very useful and if he is from the Core then he is probably still getting used to the way of life out here. Cut him some slack. However, if he calls you an ape again, then I give you permission to hit him because you are certainly no ape. Anyway, he sounds much better than the Ms. Serra you have written about. I do not care if she is the most beautiful woman you know, she should not treat you like that. From what you have said, it sounds like she thinks she is better than you and does not mind letting you know. There is no reason for such disdain, and you can tell her I said so.
I wish you had written more about the doctor’s sister. You said that she was the one who brought down the trouble on your crew, but you said that you were glad to save her. I imagine she has had a hard life and I am curious about her story. Tell her if she ever needs a hat or blanket, I will be happy to make her one. I love you very much son, and I want to thank you again for all the money you have sent us. It helps a lot and we all want you to know how much it means. You are a very good boy, Jayne.
Take care,
your Mother.
***
The full chapter to be posted at acidandink in like... five minutes. Or close to it, anyway.
-ILB
Jayne
My dear son,
I thank you very much for your last letter. We were all very pleased to receive it. Mattie was very cheered when we sat down to read it. I think it worked almost as well as the medicine.
The length of your letter made me very happy. Your letters are usually short so I was surprised that you had filled up so many pages. I hope you are doing better after the very traumatic experience you mentioned in your letter. It sounds like your crew went through a very rough time and I hope you will all be all right. It made me very sad to hear that Shepherd Book was killed. I know he was your only friend on the boat and it must be very difficult for you without him. I am also very sorry to hear that the pilot Mr. Washburne did not make it. Please be kind to his widow - it is very difficult to lose your husband, I know.
She is no doubt going through hard times. And I know that she does not re-spect you now, but if you show her that you are worthy of that respect, I am sure her attitude will change. After all, it sounds like this crew is all some of you have; you all need to learn to trust and rely on each other. An’ don’t cause too much trouble for your captain. I have doubts that he is quite as self-righteous as you have described. At least pretend to listen to him; I think it will make things easier for you.
I also think you should be nicer to the mechanic. She sounds like a very sweet girl and I am sure that you tease her. That is not nice. And I know how much you care for your sisters, so you should treat Ms. Frye with just as much respect. If she has taken up with that Core doctor then I say good for her; even though you do not seem to like him much, a doctor is very useful and if he is from the Core then he is probably still getting used to the way of life out here. Cut him some slack. However, if he calls you an ape again, then I give you permission to hit him because you are certainly no ape. Anyway, he sounds much better than the Ms. Serra you have written about. I do not care if she is the most beautiful woman you know, she should not treat you like that. From what you have said, it sounds like she thinks she is better than you and does not mind letting you know. There is no reason for such disdain, and you can tell her I said so.
I wish you had written more about the doctor’s sister. You said that she was the one who brought down the trouble on your crew, but you said that you were glad to save her. I imagine she has had a hard life and I am curious about her story. Tell her if she ever needs a hat or blanket, I will be happy to make her one. I love you very much son, and I want to thank you again for all the money you have sent us. It helps a lot and we all want you to know how much it means. You are a very good boy, Jayne.
Take care,
your Mother.
***
The full chapter to be posted at acidandink in like... five minutes. Or close to it, anyway.
-ILB