December 3, 1948
Dear Holden,
Pencey hasn’t been the same after you left. Well, just us in the Ossenburger Hall. How are you and all? Don’t really remember the last time I’ve spoken to you. If you’re wondering if Stradlater left the room exactly the same after you left; I wouldn’t know. I still don’t like that bastard. I never really had a reason, I just did. I stopped inviting myself over because I know how annoyed you were when I did and he was in the room majority of the time. How could you room with such a jerk? Those four years at Pencey seemed quite boring since I roomed with Herb Gale. He rarely called me “Bob” or “Ack;” it was “Ackley” more than anything else. Hopefully, my wife will call me Robert. I hated when you called me “Ackley kid.” I’m still old enough to be your father. For you to be so “grown," you act so childish. The vengeful name calling wasn’t nice at all even though I usually bother you anyway. Like stopping you from reading and asking you questions.
Remember when you got tired of me talking about the babe I had sexual intercourse with? You told me I had to clear the hell out so that you could concentrate on your assignment. That was pretty mean of you, but I let you be. The way you looked at me when I visited never makes you happy. You were pretty mean to me Holden. I thought you were joking usually. Anyway, I know you weren’t too crazy about me, to tell you the truth. I wasn’t too fond of you either. I always thought you were up to something. I remember when you asked me to go to the movies with you and Mal Brossard. It was that Saturday night. I stood on the shower ledge and asked who was going besides me. I had to know who was going. You told me Mal Brossard was going. I remember saying, “That bastard...alright.” I went anyway. Turns out, we all had a good time. I wouldn’t have ever known someone at Pencey could not be a bastard if I didn’t hang out with you guys that night. I was surely wrong.
I remember that one night when you got in to it with Stradlater. You seemed quite happy when I came over; surprisingly. I stayed over ‘till dinner and talked about all of the guys I hate at Pencey. I guess I wasn’t all that mature either. But you’re the one that's always against the world, Holden. Why is that? You think everyone is phony. Honestly, we both have no reason to judge. I deeply understand you have a lot on your plate, but it doesn’t give you the right to label when the sun is not shining as bright as you want it. Life’s can be a bit hard like me going through puberty. But, happiness is forever. Just enjoy life Holden. Just enjoy.
Write soon,
Robert Ackley
