Dear Pops,

When u coming home? Uncle Rory told me u only had a few more days in that hell hole (his words not mine) and that when u get out it’s gonna feel like christmas. He said that the whole block was gonna fill up the streets and throw the biggist party Harlem has ever seen. B4 I forget, those guys was by the house again. They was hittin on the door and yellin really bad words. But u know moms wasn’t havin none of that. She ran into yall’s room so fast and pulled out yo gun on them fools, u woulda been proud. I gotta go now. I here her comin down the hall and she gonna kill me if she c me writin u this.

Luv u Pops. Ishmael.

Three Months Later...

I never got to send that 1st letter out to u becuz moms saw me and took it away. But she told me I could write this 1 to put in yo casket today so it can always be with u. Do u think u can visit me sometime? I know u are an angel now but they have wings and fly all around us. So when u are not doing anything 4 God just come down and say hi ok?