It’s an exuberant sailor who writes today. He received 18 letters in today’s delivery! He has so much to write now, but top on his list is how grateful he is that she’s not bitter over the letter he wrote about the WAVEs. He feared he’d overstepped, and she has put his heart at ease. Another bit of proof at how well suited these two are for each other.
He’s curious about that long letter she promised – something about a chat she wants to have over something that kept her awake so late one night. Where’s the letter? he asks. What’s the topic? I think that’s the one she wrote earlier this month asking him to think long and hard about why he loves her, as she considers herself so unworthy. I’m sure it’ll catch up with him soon.
Among all those letters were eight from his parents and one from Readers’ Digest telling him they have received word of his change of address and will send back issues immediately. Finally, his Christmas gift from Ruth Chamberlain will reach him.
The letters from his folks are full of praise for Dot. They seem to be aware of the pair’s plans for after the war, and they approve whole-heartedly. Again, Helen mentioned how nice it would be if the “kids” lived nearby and would stop in to see them frequently.
He needs to cut this letter short and write a long one to his parents because he’s been neglecting them lately. He fills in most of the rest of the page with the repeated stanza “I love you!” The he adds, “Endless, isn’t it? But I’m sure it’s true. Never mind about those big ‘ifs’ I wrote. I don’t feel as though they apply anymore, at least for now. Goodnight, my Darling. I miss you ever so much. Can I ever tell you how much?”
Dot is planning on a movie tonight with Nancy, so she’s dashing off a letter today from work. It’s written in pencil on a cheap yellow tablet and has not weathered the intervening 70 years as well as good stationery and ink, Still, it’s a treasure.
Her big news today comes in the form of a story. Last August, Readers’ Digest announced a contest on how to run a small business. It was intended to help returning servicemen know exactly what was needed to begin a business of their own. Ruth encouraged Arthur to take a stab at the contest, so in 300 words, he told how much start-up capital was needed, how much physical space would be required and how many employees were needed to maintain the business, etc.
Not long after he sent his entry in, the magazine called him to ask that he write a more detailed piece, not needing to count his words. He put it off for a very long time because his business keeps him so busy. When he finally returned his story in January, the family was sure he was too late.
This morning he called home from his shop. “Don’t tell me there isn’t a Divine Providence who looks after fools and drunkards,” he said. “And I don’t drink. In this morning’s mail, there was a letter from Readers’ Digest telling me I had won first prize of $250.00 and a check for same was enclosed!” (Imagine what that was in 1945 dollars if a fur coat could be had at Franklin-Simon for $80!)
Dot says it made the whole family so happy that some of Arthur’s hard work was finally rewarded. The check came at an opportune time because there was some big bill due today that neither Arthur nor Ruth knew how they would pay. Dot’s father had been saying all along that the Lord would provide, and it certainly feels like he did.
Arthur P. Chamberlain was never much of a religious man in the traditional sense, but he has a stronger faith than any man Dot knows. She’s so proud of him, on so many levels.
Wondering what to write on the third page, she tells Dart that it’s quite warm in Greenwich today, but unless they want to pick up neckties all day, they dare not open the windows on her floor.
She resumes the letter later that day. Nancy told Dot about a dream she’d had last night. In the dream, she’d received a letter from Dart telling her he’d be home in a couple of weeks but she musn’t tell Dot. “Oh, if only it were not a dream! I might as well warn you now that when the time comes and you walk up to me and tap me on the shoulder, I’ll pass out on the spot. Oh my darling, may that day come sooner than any of us dare to hope.”
She continues, “Sometimes I have the feeling that the few days we had together were only a dream. And yet other times I know they were real and you seem so close to me I could reach out my hand and touch yours.”
Her final paragraph reveals that Readers’ Digest had 49,000 entries in their contest and only 10 were awarded first prize checks. She’s wondering if her parents are both so smart how she got left short on brains. That’s just the thing, Dot. You weren’t left short!
