Good & Plenty

Dear Ms. Bettina Smit:

Your phone doesn’t seem to be working, so that’s why I’m emailing.

I’d like you to know that Makoto Kita is quite the gentleman, and I enjoy having him in my home while he attends his program. He sure has quite the appetite for American food! His favorite dishes so far include basil-buttered salmon steak, smoked brisket and Baked Alaska – which brings me to ask could you please reimburse me as promised for the first 3 weeks of his stay in regard to his grocery bills?

                                    Thank you in advance

Serena Wilton

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Dear Ms. Serena Wilton:

Yes, Makoto is well-liked by everyone, and holds a prominent position at Tohoku University, as you know. Does not surprise me the good appetite!

Please scan and email to me all receipts from your grocery shopping trips.

                                    Sincerely,

                                    Ms. Bettina Smit

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Dear Ms. Smit:

I trust you received the 6 receipts I sent last week showing the items purchased and the totals for my shopping trips to feed Makoto.

Since my husband died in June, I haven’t had much reason to cook, so it’s lovely to be cooking now. Last night I made a pheasant braised with ¼ cup of dry sherry and crushed juniper berries, an artichoke salad with lemon sauce and grated parmesan, and tonight for dessert will be a Boston cream pie with orange glaze. I also purchased several pints of Ben & Jerry ice-cream to have on hand when Makoto studies. He professed a love for chocolate, so I know this will be a hit!

Please reimburse me based on the receipts I sent. I have attached scanned copies of 6 more receipts for the last 3 weeks.

It is a true pleasure hosting Makoto although I must admit his English-speaking skills are not as strong as I’d hoped. We end up drawing pictures and smiling a lot.

                                    Yours,

                                    Serena

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Dear Ms. Wilton:

Sorry about the language skills. Mathematics is his forte. Do you have a translation app on your iPhone?

For the last nine weeks, you should receive $700.00 as reimbursement for his meals. This will cover next week, too.

I have informed Makoto to pay this amount to you before he departs for O’Hare on Saturday.

                                    Sincerely,

                                    Bettina

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Dear  Bettina:

Sorry to send this off so late; you are probably in bed by now, but in case you’re still up, Makoto leaves tomorrow and he didn’t understand AT ALL when I asked him for the money he owes. He did give me a box of Good & Plenty which he picked up at the 7-11. Do you think he thought that’s what you meant when you told him to pay me for his meals?

                                    Serena

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Dear Serena:

Makoto arrived home yesterday. Thank you for hosting him while he completed his studies. He enjoyed his stay very much.

                                    Sincerely,

                                    Bettina

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Dear Bettina:

Where is my reimbursement for Makoto’s meals?

                                    Serena

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Dear Ms. Serena Wilton:

How kind of you to tell Makoto he did not owe you for his meals.

                                    In admiration of your generosity,

                                    Ms. Bettina Smit

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Dear B.S. SOMEBODY OWES ME 700 BUCKS! I DON’T CARE WHERE IT COMES FROM OR WHO PAYS ME BUT I AM DUE 700 BUCKS! 

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Dear Ms. Serena Wilton:

Makoto arrived home yesterday. Thank you for hosting him while he completed his studies. He enjoyed his stay very much.

                                    Sincerely,

                                    B.S.