This is [1] your good friend, Cal, writing to you. I made it to Washington and found Pop. It took me four days of traveling. I was on a train and walked to get here. I finally made it. Pop was so happy to see me. He cried and hugged me. He wasn’t mad at all that I left Challagi after promising that I’d stay. Like the squawking jaybird I am, I talked to Pop for a long time about Challagi. I told him about my classes and the plot of land I’m farming. I told him about my horse Dakota. I told him about Little Coon, Bear Meat, and Deacon, and how Deacon helped me understand the vision I had on the last night at Challagi, the one that brought me to Pop. Of course, I also told him about [2] yourself. He remembers you from the first day, but [3] they’ve heard a lot more now. He knows that you are the best friend I’ve ever had.
The veterans’ campaign here in Washington isn’t over yet, but Pop’s acting different about it. A couple nights ago, he asked me, “What now, son?” When he first went to Washington, Pop told me I had to go to Challagi. Now, it’s my choice what happens next: do I stay here with Pop or do I come back to Challagi? I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I think I know what I need to do. I need to come back to Challagi.
When [4] he first brought [5] me to Challagi, I was so scared. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know how to be away from Pop. So much has changed since then. Now I have a group of brothers, my Creek brothers. I have learned how to stomp dance and say some Creek phrases. I’m studying agricultural science and get to spend time with Dakota. Sure, I don’t like Superintendent Morrell or all the marching we have to do. I really don’t like getting punched in the ribs by Bear Meat. But I feel like I am growing so much everyday. I can’t stop now.
All of this is why I’ve decided to leave [6] himself for now and return to Challagi. I want to keep learning and keep building my friendships with you and the rest of the gang. It’s funny because when I first got to Challagi, all I wanted was to be with [7] him. But something has changed in me since then. Maybe I’ve grown up, and I feel better about being independent. I even feel like I might want to start my own campaign against Challagi, in order to fight for all of [8] you there. I can’t do that from far away
Thank you for being such a good friend to me, Possum. You’ve made Challagi a place I want to come home to. See you soon.