Dear Bruce Springsteen,

I'm leaving for New York tomorrow, and I was thinking that if you aren't busy, we could maybe grab a cup of coffee? I'd come out to NJ to see you instead, but I'm only in town for a few days, and I'm super-busy meeting with people.


No need to commit to anything, or make a plan, but if you have time, give me a call! You have my cell #, right?


Also, I was trying to learn the chords to "The River" last night, and it made me think about my dad, about being a kid and listening to that record with my dad. About how we'd listen to it in the living room, while I played with paper dolls on the floor. I'd open the record up and use it for a backdrop, and my paper dolls would talk to the paper lady (was she a bride?) on the inside of the album jacket.


That's sort of what you are for me, Bruce... a backdrop, an environment, one of the few that has never changed or flustered. You've always been there for me, a soundtrack to my every damn thing. No irony. No apologies. Not even in the eighties.


If you can't make it this weekend, it's totally fine, but I'd love to see you. There's a great Karaoke place in Koreatown...


Love,


Laurel