May 7, 2003

Subject: devastation

I received a letter from Rob today dated Monday, May 5, 2003. In it was the worst news I would have ever expected to get, yet was not completely surprised by it. Rob said in his letter that he is going to be in the hole permanently and that I have been removed from his approved visitor list. He said he wanted to tell me more about what was said to him, but that he was afraid because all mail is read before going out and coming in, and he did not want to anger "them" any more. I am still in the dark about what has them so angry, but know that whatever it is it must be partly my doing. Otherwise I would not have been taken off of the visiting list. I am not sure, but I think he has lost his "good time" and his halfway house as well. If nothing changes, they will have him in the hole until March 1, 2003. I have put in a call to his attorney and have arranged for a few friends to visit him tomorrow. Hopefully he will be able to see them and they will get a better picture of what is really happening.

When I think about how the hell I am going to survive without being able to see Rob for 10 months, I experience a sense of grief I have never known possible. I can only imagine how he is feeling now, and will be for the remaining time there. Even if we have a case to have something done, it could be several months before any action is taken. "Guilty until proven innocent." That's the drill.

I am not sure how to write Rob's new address exactly. But I think it would be:

Rob Rothberg
Reg. #22987-038
FMC Devens/Unit 2
PO Box 880
Ayer, MA 01432

The mail is more restricted here, so I will just tell you what he can have. Letters. Soft cover books from the publisher (amazon, borders, etc) newspaper subscriptions (he has none at present). Not sure about photographs. I am sure he would really love to receive a steady flow of letters to help maintain his sanity and let him know he is not going to be forgotten.

Thanks,
Shannon