What The Boss says goes. Bruce Springsteen penned an absence note for fifth grader Michael Fenerty, who attends Philadelphia’s Masterman secondary school.
“Please excuse Michael Fenerty for being late or absent from school today. He came to the Free Library of Philadelphia to meet me and to get a copy of my book,” read the letter signed by the 67-year-old rocker.
Michael and his father, Mike, were two of 1,200 fans to attend the daytime event Thursday, September 29, celebrating the release of the New Jersey native’s autobiography, Born to Run. While fans had to hand over any items they wanted signed to library staffers before coming face-to-face with Springsteen, Mike slipped him the note — and a pen — when they got to the front of the line.
Bruce Springsteen writes absence note for Masterman student https://t.co/gmwLHYCse5 @freelibrary pic.twitter.com/JihJo5KfFT
— Molly Eichel (@mollyeichel) September 29, 2016
“My son said, ‘Bruce, would you sign my absence note?’” Mike told Philly.com. “[Springsteen] lit up. He was affectionate toward Michael as soon as he saw him. He said, ‘I have to read it first, that’s how I got in trouble with my first contract.’ He said, ‘I hope you don’t get in trouble.’”
Once they secured the letter and some face time with Springsteen, the father-son duo returned to Michael’s school. But they weren’t eager to hand off the autographed excuse to Principal Brown.
“I only gave her a photocopy,” Mike admits.
Even at a young age, Michael — who attended Springsteen’s September 7 concert on the first day of school — seriously appreciates the encounter.
“My son was very starstruck,” his dad continued to the website. “It was a very cool experience.”
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