Chapter 5:

Fan Mail

It was six days since the fire. Nathan had seventeen messages from his mother, the last one simply stating she was finally in town and she’d be kicking in doors if necessary. Kelly was astounded by the claim, since Anna stood an inch over five feet and probably just cleared 100 lbs. Yet, Kelly realized Anna was quite likely up to such a feat. Not that Anna would resort to such. She’d copied keys to the mansion years ago.

There were nearly eighty messages on his answering machine altogether, most from some network or magazine that wished to do an interview and offered an armful of cash to make it exclusive. Nathan wondered why he would want to talk about saving a bunch a people, when he couldn’t save the only one he loved. The money wasn’t tempting, either. He couldn’t keep up with the money he had, much less the money his money made. Yet, there were offers, and Nathan couldn’t help but imagine himself on TV. He’d cry on screen and receive cheap sympathy wherever he went. It’d become part of his popular identity. He’d be a quitter, a scapegoat, a cheater, and now a crier. Without pause, Nathan erased all these messages. Interviews were quite out of the question.

There were two calls from the police. Marvelous made a mental note to call Brion Mindur, his official contact, his political handler, his spin doctor—although he wouldn’t call just yet.

His mother stacked the mail where Nathan couldn’t ignore it, a little paper mountain in front of the television. Whenever Nathan moved it, Anna moved it back. When he dumped it in the trash, she pulled it out and put it back in front of the television until Nathan went through it all, one piece at a time. Indeed, most of it was garbage and eventually found its way to the trash—but not all of it. One piece was a bit of fan mail from an immigrant with an interesting take on the English language. The author could be a bit difficult to follow, which was why his letters were such a fun read. Curious that the man still wrote, even though Nathan never replied, Nathan opened the letter. What did the ex-military Latvian immigrant have to say now? He’d always sent fiercely loyal mail when Nathan was boxing—casually sprinkling in personal details to which he should not be privy. He bragged repeatedly about the money Marvelous made him. Indeed, he got 3 to 1 odds for the Willie Brown fight. Can you believe this things? 3 to 1 against you!! The Homan Lightning!

Nathan peeled open the envelope. The letter was immediately vile and as much as it was possible, he blanched. The letter read:

Marvelous,

You cocksocker eater of shit. You be my frend as you make it good for you. But let me down and I get revenge. You papist. Take my monee? You have enufgh. I bet you win and I loose as you loose and you did this on perpuse. I saw you leave with no hurt. I watch the fite and you lose and Sandra leve before me sex on her as she now I losse all money on you loose. She no answer the phone. I make you pay. I no to make you pay. I no take money. I take blud. Papist Fuckhead.

FuckYouDie

There was no return address, nothing to identify the writer—except handwriting and diction—which were quite distinct. There was no doubt that this was from Yzal Citehtapa, a former demolitions expert with the Latvian Army. He’d followed the carrier of Nathan Marvelous almost from the day he turned pro. Nathan had a good hundred notes from the man!

Perhaps the man thought he could blend in with the mounds of fan mail Marvelous no longer received. Perhaps he wanted to get caught? Nathan picked up the phone, called Brion Mindur, and requested a warrant.

…as reported in the Cityopolis Crier…

Headline: Marvelous Courting at Girlfriend’s Funeral?!

June 28, 2012. Nathan Marvelous, former Welterweight champion extraordinaire, caused a scandal when he arrived at the funeral of his former girlfriend, Michelita Thalia Hernandez, with another woman. “Michelle”, as Michelita was lovingly known, died in the recent tragedy at East Cityopolis High School. She was a two-time Olympian with five medals to her name, and was considered a strong contender for several more in this year’s Olympics.

Nathan arrived at the funeral with San Diego lawyer Kelly Green, who also attended East Cityopolis, and was another survivor of the bombing, only three weeks ago. The two appeared at the funeral together, stepping out of the same car, with Nathan’s mother also in tow. Nathan Marvelous did not stay for the entire service and offered few condolences to the family. Several of Michelle’s family, including her estranged father, were outraged by Marvelous’ obvious contempt for their daughter. He had expected Nathan and Michelle to one day marry—but stated after the funeral that Kelly’s presence and intimacy with the ex-boxer made it obvious that this was never Nathan’s intent.

Can it be said, in Nathan’s defense, that there were tears in his eyes as he left? Cold, distant, and aloof, it was impossible for anyone to see—especially since he refused to remove his sunglasses. Nathan spoke only to a select few attendees and refused any questions, which is expected. The ex-boxer has a reputation for being a recluse. His mother also refused to answer any questions, offering only that she was “there to pay respects.” Kelly, a lawyer by trade, seems well suited for such remove. Hopefully, she’ll fare better than the boxer’s previous girlfriend.

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