In the summer of 1992, Jack Vigliatura traded the landlocked heat of Gainesville for the bustling coast of Ocean City, Maryland, embarking on a seasonal business venture that promised high-dollar payouts. However, a letter written home to close friend Mary Shortt on July 13th reveals that the reality of the boardwalk hustle was far from a sun-soaked vacation. Evocative, weary, and deeply candid, Jack’s correspondence captures the bittersweet isolation of a college student facing a melting 96-degree day, disappointing sales, a looming business eviction, and a profound wave of homesickness for the family he left behind.
July 13, 1992
Dear Mary,
It’s Sunday, 1:45 PM and I’m sitting here on the Boardwalk feeling very sad. I’m sorry I was so morbid sounding on the phone this morning I didn’t get home ‘till 4:30 and in bed ‘till 5’oclock so I wasn’t very conscious of my surroundings. I’m sorry you couldn’t make the trip, I was looking forward to seeing you but it sounded like more of a hassle than anything so it’s probably better you didn’t.
I’m so down today. I was so excited and now it’s back to the same old stuff for the next 3 weeks + 6 days. Well now I’m getting into a depressing letter so I will take a hiatus and continue later.
Ocean City, Maryland Boardwalk.
Okay, it’s 2:15 – I just went and sprayed myself down with the hose and I’m feeling much better. It’s 96 degrees today – I think I’m melting. Anyway we might be getting kicked off the boardwalk this Wednesday because there are people about 50 yards up from us that are selling the same things as we are but we are much more inexpensive.
Of course there cannot be two of the same business in one place so there’s going to be a meeting Wednesday to decide who goes. Business has, overall been very disappointing.
When Mrs. Small came up that week – he said that $1,000 days would be common – we’re happy if we reach $300 a day. It was a bad decision + nice spelling, Jack, d-e-c-i-s-i-o-n – that could be wrong, too, anyway, for everyone.
Sally misses her husband, horses, and Janice Stringer very badly and Charlie has been seriously sick for four days with an ear infection that has caused his whole head on the right side to swell.
And me, well, I miss my family – my sisters and brother are growing up and I still picture them as the little babies I held in my arms and rocked to sleep.
My parents are working hard to make it work and I can hear the fatigue in their voices over the phone. I should be there. But I already made the mistake and God has allowed me to learn a lot from this experience.
I’ve met a lot of people, learned a lot about people (when I thought I had people figured out) and learned some things about myself.
Say “hello” to everybody for me. Write soon. God Bless!
Love,
Jack
P.S. A very serious and reflective letter wouldn’t you say? Write soon!