But...fine. If its really important to you, then I will ask her to come along. If we end up staying at a motel, she will bunk with me and Ill pay for your very separate room. Am I making myself clear?
I dont feel comfortable doing any of this without speaking to her father first. Yes, yes, I do realize you are both adults, but crossing a birthday marker doesnt require anything but the ability to wait for time to pass. It doesnt prove much.
See you in Ohio.
I love you.
Your ma
P.S. I am not a carrier pigeon. If you want to write to this girl, then write to her, and vice versa.
May 9, 1943
IOWA CITY, IOWA
Dear Glory,
Ive just returned home after a lovely Mothers Day mass at the aptly named St. Marys. As I watched the darling young schoolgirls bring their floral offerings to the statue of Our Lady, I thought of you. I hope you are adjusting well to a new baby in the house, and this letter finds you well. If the world cant be at peace, then maybe you can find a little in your living room.
Now...I have so much to sharehold on to your hat....
First, I finally received a letter from Sal! Large sections were blacked out, but I was able to piece together enough of it to know that he is fine. Sals primary responsibility is sewing up wounds (which is pretty funny, as he grew up in the back of his familys tailor shop on the west side of Chicago). Some of the other guys wrote Stitch on his helmet, and the nickname has stuck. At least, he told me, they didnt write Old Man.
Getting his letter was like Christmas morning and my wedding day rolled into one. Its amazing what a few lines on a V-mail can do for a person. The worry doesnt stop, but, to borrow a military phrase, it retreats in the face of its enemy, which I guess is hope. Sals taking care of himself, and besides the end of this war, thats the most I can ask for.
Ive heard from Toby, as well. Ill be seeing him next month, when his leave is granted. Were meeting halfway, in Columbus, and it looks like hell have a full forty-eight hours to visit.
If you sense a certain lack of enthusiasm in my words, then you
really are starting to get to know me through these letters. I am remarkably unenthused. Toby requested I bring Roylene with me to Ohio, andbelieve it or notIve agreed. Yes, I will be sending my son off to war with that skinny gal standing next to me blubbering away. I was about to refuse, but this is what my son wrote in his last letter: Ma, dont you always say to never walk away from an opportunity to do a kindness? Well, heres a golden one. Be nice to Roylene.
The thing is, I dont always say that. Sal does.
I have no idea if Tobys interested in this girl or if shes his charity case du jour. My husband and son have always been suckers for the underdog. Not me. Well see what happens.
Give those little ones a kiss,
Rita
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