My Brother-in-law & other stories
by Johnny P. Novera

My first job

I had my my first job when I was in fourth year high school.  I was attending evening classes and so a politician-compadre of my father recommnded me to work as messenger in the post office.

I was assigned to deliver special delivery letters.  During those days there are special delivery letters that are in pink linen envelopes.  I think they contained love letters, as I can see that the addressees, mostly young girls, are so excited to receive them.   It is a regret that writing love letters among the young today are not anymore in fad because of the advent of the cellular phones.  Now they send love notes to their intended in short abbreviated messages such that even those who do not know how spell are able to send messages by text.

Now, coming to my story, one of my customers is a young girl who lives at the far end of the town. I would cross a rice paddy before reaching their house to deliver her letter. She would always watch for me at the gate when Monday comes as this is the day that her letter would arrive from her boy friend who is working in the big city.  She is very friendly and was kind.  She would give a tip now and then and would even invite me for merienda sometimes.

But one day she was not at the gate when I arrived.  It was her mother.  I thought I should come another day, but when I was about to turn back the woman called me.  She asked if they have any letter and I said there was one addressed to her daughter.  She signed for it.

The next week I came to deliver another letter.  It is good that it is my young customer  who was at the gate again.  I smiled as I was approaching but she did not respond.  It looks like she has been crying.  Neither did she give a tip or invited me for merienda this time.