This is very brief note, scratched out in pencil before the lights go out for the night. The dateline says they’re in port. (Where they were towed by another ship, the small kamikaze plane and its dead pilot still embedded deep into the innards of the Haggard.)
He began his new job yesterday in the scullery, cleaning dishes and food containers. He says the work was rugged. What he doesn’t say is that since the ship has no power, the food has consisted of sandwiches and warm juice served three times a day.
He’s enclosing a page of interior sketches for their house. He’ll try to do more as the spirit moves him, although his new work assignment doesn’t leave much time for such things.
A couple of nights ago, he caught a glimpse of the brilliant full moon. It made him feel lonesome, staring out over the black water and wishing he were somewhere else, with Dot.
Dot has started a couple of recent letters with a corny riddle scribbled in the upper corner. I didn’t mention them because they are really terrible jokes. Now, it appears it’s might become a trend. In the spirit of accurately capturing the “truth” of these letters, I guess I’d better include them. Read the following at your own risk. Q: What’s the difference between a duck? A: One leg is both the same. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Dot had just finished writing to Dart’s mother, telling her of a great new plan Dot has hatched. She thinks it would be wonderful if Dart, Sr., Helen and Burke could make a road trip this summer to the northeast. It would be a fine celebration for their 25th anniversary and Burke’s high school graduation. It would also give Dot’s whole family a chance to meet the folks who raised such a terrific son as Dart. If Dot and Janie are able to spend their June vacation at Lake Sunapee, Dot would like nothing better than to introduce the Peterson’s to that little piece of heaven. She asks Dart to use his influence on them so they’ll say yes to Dot’s invitation.
She abruptly changes the subject to the fact that Hitler is dead. She cares little whether he was killed or took his own life, but she’s confident that the war in Europe will be completely wrapped up very soon. “And then ah, cheer up, my dear boy! Then they will send our European troops to the Pacific to give you and Gordon a hand with this war. I know how you hate to rush these things, but I’m kinda gettin’ lonely and I want you home soon!”
She ends with “It’s late and I’m tired.(Seems to me you’ve heard that song before.) But I love you like 60 tons of ice cream, and boy!!! Do I LOVE ice cream!”
Her P.S. is a “check” for 42 kisses, payable when he returns from the Pacific, but invalid if not redeemed immediately upon his return.
