“Al and I spent the afternoon doing nothing much at all, leaving until tonight the job of painting the last coat on the kitchen chairs. We cruised around trying to get prices for the remedies for the green chariot’s ailments. To wit: four bald tires; remedy, four good ones. Recaps @ $10.35 each, good new ones @ $16.35 each, or seconds $ $12.50 each. Burns oil by the barrel. Remedy: new piston rings @ $60 plus labor, or a rebuilt engine at $137, not installed, minus $7 to $37 trade-in value for old engine. Clutch shot to blazes. Remedy: new clutch or clutch overhaul, with costs running to $30. Prognosis: To heck with it. Too much money!

He doesn’t want her to worry over his reactions to letters like the one he got on Tuesday. It’s temporary if the reaction is bad, and permanent if it’s good. The letter in question had both, and he was so thankful to get it. He’s often wondered if she gets asked out on dates, and he’s glad she told him about it. Nothing that she wants to tell him is ever trivial.

He says his feelings are “mucho mutual” about going to church and doing ordinary things together. He lives for the day when they can do all of life’s activities together.

Al may have to drive back to Kent if Dart’s car can’t make the trip twice. He hopes Mrs. Slatterbacker (or whatever Dot’s boss’s name is) will give her a nice weekend off from the restaurant so they can have a longer visit.

“All I can say about Joyce sleeping with you Saturday night is Lucky Joyce! You know what I’m wishing.”

Because the kids are together this weekend, there are no more letters from either until May 5.