The letter came today. I read it immediately. I have not cried yet - I don't think I can; I am numb with a mix of shock, worry, understanding, hope, fear, and god knows what else. I can't even really comprehend it yet... It's almost too much. I suppose I'll have to give my mind some time to recover, then reread it.

I need to do something that requires no thought. I think I'll head over to the arcade after dinner. All I have to do is hit buttons; I don't have to think, but at the same time I'm too focused to worry about anything else.

500 has never seemed as large of a number as it does right now.