Richard Parker
Dear [Mentat],
Yes, I used to play that song [Ring The Living Bell, by Melanie] and I do have it on CD – on one of her greatest hits ones. The song was a minor hit in this country, making it to #31 in early 1972. But I really loved it, as you may recall by how often I played it. 
I sent your email address to Ken. Wasn’t sure if he got it or not, as he hasn’t responded to me. But I’m glad to hear that you two are hooked up in email now.
About Rich Parker: I’ve been thinking about him and how close-minded and judgmental he can be, and how often he puts people down. Soon after we three moved in together in 1979, I stopped liking him because he acts like such a know-it-all, and hasn’t the first clue of how to truly support another. He seems to walk over top of people, and never with them. He didn’t like when I got with [Dawn], and [First Love] back then, offering nary an encouraging word.
All through the eighties, I listened to him imposing his view of the world on others. I knew there was a reason I stopped making efforts to keep his and my friendship going. And his 2004 Christmas party brought it all back to me.
These days, I’m not very tolerant of people who make me mad. So I’m thinking that I’m not going to attend any more of his parties, because I only want to surround myself with people who are accepting and supportive of how I run my life. He’s never been that.
Now there were times that he’s been generous with his money and hospitality, as you know. But I’ve not once known him to be sincerely understanding of others’ plights. It surprises me that given the way he so-often humiliates [his cousin] in front of people, that [Robert] hasn’t told him to take a hike a long time ago. Well, I don’t plan on having anything further to do with him.
Anyway, I hope school is going well for you so far. I’ll be calling you within the next couple weeks to “check in.”
Take care.