Writing from Charleston, SC, Dart tells of the moon rise over the marshes. It’s a romantic sight, as all full moons are, but not as romantic as if it were viewed from the front porch of a lake cottage, or the cockpit of a canoe, tucked away under the branches on the shore of that lake. “Romance on a tin gunboat? Pooey!”
This would-be writer hasn’t lost his gift at travelogue. He spends several pages describing his first liberty in Charleston, which was a solo experience. He was very impressed with the ancient charm, the architecture, and above all, the friendliness of the residents. “Charleston seems as alive and friendly as Norfolk was dead and discourteous.” He spoke with an elderly couple who, like him, were out for a walk to view the sunset. Twice, girls in passing cars whistled and hooted at Dart, reminding him of Dot and her infamous wolf whistle.
Yesterday he met Joe Burke, classmate from Treasure Island. He’s here in the navy yard decommissioning a destroyer. The two pals spent the evening at the USO, listening to records, playing games, drinking milkshakes, and catching up on the months since they’d last seen each other in January.
His mother has told him that she forwarded a couple of letters to him. One is a congratulatory card on his engagement from his first high school date. The other is from a Private Kellogg from Camp Atterbury. He’s quite curious if Dot might know such a person, because Dart is sure he doesn’t. Who could this mysterious stranger be?
He’s holding out hope that since he’s begun getting mail from home, tomorrow will bring some from Dot. He misses her all the more when her letters are also absent. How he wishes he could whisper goodnight to her in their own home.
Dot writes an uncharacteristically low key letter tonight. She got an A on her written archery test, which is practically an “must” for a physical education major, but she’s discouraged by biology and English. In fact, she mentions how she’s gets less and less enamored with Kent State the longer she’s here. She talks about a possible transfer to Hiram College with it’s student body of about 300.
The only upbeat part of her letter is when she talks about Dart’s recent 12-page masterpiece which is still awaiting an answer from her. She thinks it’s about the best letter he’s ever written. She says that in some ways, it’s even better than one of those long talks they love to have, because Dart let himself go more in the letter than he’s prone to do when she is at his side. Until she has the time to give it a proper response, she wants to assure him that the desires he expresses in that letter are the same as hers.
She wishes she had some clue how to comfort her lonesome sailor, but she has nothing to offer because she’s feeling the same as he. She just wishes the months that must pass before they are together would hurry up and pass.
