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April 19, 1996

Dear A,

Your parents have given you quite a lovely hope chest.
Thank you for showing it to us.

When I was little, I used to hide in my mother's old hope chest. Once upon a time she filled her chest with pretty things, pure air and embroidered tablecloths, but later she used it for winter storage. In July, I nestled in the woolens and got slightly intoxicated by the mothballs. (My mother's house always has a distinctive smell of para-dichlorobenzene.) It was always very warm, and my mother would have trouble finding me. Sometimes, I fell asleep among the mothless mittens and mufflers.

You are still storing pretty things in your chest, so many little colored drawers for linens, honeymoon lingerie and magic stories. Save a pillowcase or a fairytale for me.

Love,

K

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Karen Tellefsen
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Copyright © Karen Tellefsen
April 1996

...another letter to Agnieszka in this room by Liz Haight...
The way back home
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