It’s 3:00  in the morning, Dart has been studying Spanish for two hours and has another hour left. On top of that, he’s cold and hungry. Still, he feels like he should assign himself the task of writing 1947 100 times so he will stop dating his letters 1946. The boy seems to have a lot on his mind.

He begs Dot to kick him hard if he ever becomes like his father in regard to his health. This week, Pop developed a cold, but he wouldn’t miss a day of work in order to lick the thing. Now he has pleurisy and must miss at least a week! “There isn’t anything we can say to convince him to take care of himself. He insists he can ‘take’ working in a dusty, drafty place, He can’t take it! Oh Dottie, I’m worried about him!” Dart is going to get word to Dr. Singer about suggesting a work-up at the Cleveland Clinic, in hopes that they could get through to him.

His father’s health – both physical and mental – weighs heavily on Dart’s mind. “In his obstinacy he is just like Uncle Guy. Heaven and earth can’t move either one of them to do what they don’t want to do, especially if it’s supported by someone else. Uncle Guy’s obstinacy is the vituperative, warlike kind, whereas Pop’s is the far more serious withdrawing kind. Few people become mentally ill by blowing off steam, but asylums the world over are full of people who have withdrawn into themselves.”

Dart says Pop’s mother and sister were the same as Uncle Guy and Pop. How he hopes he has not learned their behavior, for it’s awfully hard on both the individual and on those who care about them.

At church this morning, an older gentleman asked Dart if he could manage to get to church early on a regular basis. When Dart asked why, the man said that he’d like to add Dart to the usher’s circle. He’s very honored to be asked! He’s been invited to attend a meeting on Wednesday night, during which he can sign up for the job. It seems as though his schedule is filling up with activities unrelated to school, but nearly every outside activity seems to bring him pleasure and a chance to help out.

For now, he feels ready to blow from the pressure of schoolwork. He’s going to stop to get a bite to eat before continuing with his Spanish studying.

He wonders if Dot misses him as much as he does her, but he thinks she must. There are times when nothing in life interests him except the thought of seeing her. How will he get through the next 150 or so days until their wedding? He’s as homesick now, for her alone, as he was for her, family, and the USA combined, when he was off fighting the war.

He feels like he may BURST!

Dart takes a break from studying the poetry of James Russell Lowell to write a “brief” 8-page letter to Dot. When he finishes, he plans to return to Lowell and another essay by Emerson.

I find it amusing that Dart so greatly admires Lowell’s style. He praises the poet’s brevity and clarity of thought, his plain-spoken manner. His rhymes and meter are so natural that the reader soon forgets he is reading poetry, and just follows along as if reading a story. That Dart recognizes and values brevity, but is unable to produce it is a bit ironic.

He’s even looking forward to reading the Emerson essay for a change. This one is a character description of Emerson’s friend Thoreau, and was delayed until this late in class because the students just read Thoreau and can now feel they know him better through Emerson’s words and observations.

Dart’s hoping to find the magic bullet that will raise his grade in English from a C to an A. He asked his classmate and Dot’s former roommate, June how she managed to do just that. She answered that she had no earthly idea, but was mighty glad it had happened.

Pop is a great deal better today. He’s been taking his medicine without protest and has improved greatly since yesterday. Dart bought him a couple of magazines to read while he recuperates at home.

Today brought Dart’s first ride on one of the newest batch of streetcars. They are even better than the first 50 that were put into service a couple of months ago. Dart sure does get excited about streetcars, especially when they have arm rests, roll up windows, decent lighting and improved ventilation. The next batch of 50 cars, which were ordered this week, won’t be delivered until fall of 1948!

The Skyline was promised for today, but now the printer is saying it’ll be tomorrow. Whenever it arrives, he’ll send a copy off to Dot.

“I had two very nice letters from you today. It wasn’t very hard for you to get back into the habit of nice, chatty, newsy letters, was it? I LOVE those letters! Of course, some of that love is due to the big love I have for the girl who writes ’em.”

Now he’ll try to answer the eight-pager that Dot wrote on Jan. 8. He wonders if her appetite has improved since she wrote. Was she able to lose as much weight as she’d hoped? He assures her that he doesn’t need specifics, just a yes or no will suffice.

There’s still the question of ushers. Burke can’t make a Connecticut wedding if it’s on the 14th of June, and Homer can’t be there if it’s on the 19th. Although he’s eager to be an usher for Dart, Homer assures him that he will have no hard feelings if the date turns out to be the 19th. Dart hasn’t heard back from Tom Riley and he hasn’t even asked Hal Martin yet.

This brings Dart to a delicate question which he hates to pose so soon. With Janie’s passing, does Dot still plan on three bridesmaids, or is she down to two now? He wants his men to match the number of her women, so he’ll need to be kept in the loop. He also has a question about whether the maid of honor and the best man are included in the count for bridesmaids and ushers.

He’s been trying to come up with enough puns about stitches and surgery to match Dot’s, but he’s given up. (Or as he says, he’s been unable to sew up the task.) If I know Dot, she came up with some doozies.

Dart was very impressed to read about little Chuckie’s new Christmas train set. It must have set his father back “plenty heap wampum,” but Lionel is the best kind to get. Dart’s happy to report that his Lionel is still running after 18 years.

“So, you woke up sleeping on your stomach! Hmm. Quite a relief (and a bit of a worry, too) to find yourself beginning to act naturally again, after your operation.”

“I’ll never get over how considerate and how generous you are, Dot. You’d surely fit Mr. Kershner’s sermon of yesterday perfectly. The title was ‘Learn to Live with Yourself,’ and the main point was about making others happy or helping them in some way. That leaving your radio with the new patient at the hospital was surely an instance of that. I love you for things like that, Dot. It was equally nice for you to buy a new radio for your father.”

He asks Dot if she’s learned whether or not El’s funny look could mean she’s seen some of their letters. “Just between us, I think she’d understand and never say a thing.” He also thinks that if she did see something, it must have been by accident, because she (nor anyone in her family or his) has any tendency toward snooping.  “How fortunate we are, Darling, to have families that trust each other, are trustworthy, and whose personal honor is so high.”

He’s glad she enjoyed his story called “High Finance.” He didn’t see much merit in it, but his teacher and the students gave it high praise. Now that his favorite letter – re-written – has been “ignominiously reject” by the Skyline staff, he thinks he’ll try to find some other material to submit to them for publication.

At last he comes again to her last paragraph – the one that elicited such passionate writing from him a few nights ago. It has the same effect on him tonight, and he writes a long section of intimate and tender thoughts, which will remain between them.

He wraps up with “Forgive me, my Darling Dorothy, for writing so dangerously. If anything should happen because of these letters, I deserve the worst of punishments. I love you always and forever.”

Since it’s after midnight when Dart starts this letter, he writes, “It’s now officially January 15, which makes me officially 23, and boy, do I feel old!”

As Dot may have surmised after reading his long letter from yesterday, Dart didn’t finish his English homework that night (morning?) Fortunately, he discovered that it was a short, easy assignment, and he finished it on the bus ride to campus before class.

The Skyline hit the streets today and he’s rather pleased with how it looks. There’s no predicting how the public will receive it, but having had a hand in its creation, he’s rather proud of it.

He’s feeling mighty tickled with himself because he learned a new trick in the kitchen today. He had two burners going at the same time; one for soup and the other for bacon. That has emboldened him to dream of trying a cheese omelet someday. “You better learn to cook one or two things yourself so we can vary our diets occasionally.” Dad’s cooking prowess didn’t advance much in the years that followed. He fancied himself quite the gourmet when he grated a little cheese and sprinkled oregano into Campbell’s tomato soup.

In addition to a short letter from Dot and a card from El, the mail also brought a notice saying that Dart had a “registered, insured, or COD package” waiting for him at the East Cleveland PO. Since it originated from Greenwich, Connecticut, he has an idea who it might be from. He’ll need to get out to collect it as soon as possible.

Yes, he recalls her mentioning Anne Knowlton a few times before. Isn’t she the one Dot had her picture taken with? Why is it that Dot let her do all the talking, which is so unlike Dot? Note: I believe Anne was the only child of the Chamberlain family’s physician. He and his wife would often invite Dot, who was was a few years older than Anne, and considered to be a wholesome influence, to accompany the Knowlton family on vacations and outings.  I think Dot along with her fairly well, but they weren’t really friends – just friendly.

Perhaps in response to Dot’s letter, Dart remarks that he wishes he had been Dumbo, and not just because their house is still so cold. He has other motives for wanting to play Dumbo. The only sense I can make of this little passage is to surmise that Dot may have said something about sleeping with her stuffed Dumbo, or maybe sending Dumbo to Dart to keep him warm. He also asks how little girls can sleep in a bed crowded with stuffed animals, and then reveals that when he was sick as a small boy, he would bring all his trains into bed with him. Why am I not surprised? “Of course, I didn’t sleep long that way, but I slept awhile!”

In her little letter, Dot promised that tomorrow, she would elaborate on how much she loves Dart. He looks forward to that very much. He could do that now, but he thinks he said more than his share last night, so he’ll hold off on elaborating any more tonight. He wishes her good night and the sweetest of dreams, unaware that one of his sweetest dreams is about to come true.

No letters tomorrow, because Dot is about to “drop in” on the Peterson family for a week, as a big surprise to the whole gang. Although there are no letters, check back here, and I’ll tell you the story of Dot’s arrival.

Dart writes this letter from his temporary sleeping quarters in the living room where he has moved until there’s reliable heat upstairs once more.

He thinks Dot may remember that as the two of them left the apartment (presumably to take Dot to the train) his mother was fretting that Pop may have a fever. She was right. It’s running around 101 tonight. When Uncle Tom came over to check on the furnace, he suggested that Pop might agree to go to a VA hospital for treatment of his pleurisy. (At least the hospital would have heat!) There are two VA hospitals in the Cleveland area; one quite close and the other on the far side of the city. It is the latter to which Dart Sr. would probably go. Dr. Singer, however, suggested that Helen wait a couple of days before she disturbs her husband with this suggestion. The good doctor doesn’t seem too worried about the fever.

The same can’t be said for Dart. “He’s pretty sick, Dot. He isn’t using any of his right lung. It’s completely collapsed because of his coughing spell last week.  All we can do now is wait, wait, wait and try our best to take good care of him. It isn’t any wonder that he hasn’t eaten anything, according to Dr. Singer.”

It seems obvious to me that Dart is worried sick about his father, because he hasn’t yet mentioned a single word about Dot’s visit. He tells Dot that Uncle Tom had to come over to stay with his dad during the four hours that he and his mother were away from home today.

He thanks her for her considerate telegram that put his mind to rest about her trip. Now he awaits details about her journey and the report from her doctor’s visit.

“Dot, you’ve already been gone nearly 24 hours, and after taking a couple of days to wake up to the fact that you were really here, now I find it almost as difficult to believe you’re nowhere near here anymore.”

He finally turned in his application for the City Club today. They’ll invoice him for the membership fee if the selection committee sees fit to admit him.

He says that he’s hoping he can get both Saturday and Sunday night off work to prepare for final exams next week. I’m not sure what became of his decision to quit work, but perhaps the money has become too important to him for that. He tells Dot that he has two exams on Wednesday and two more on Thursday. With luck, he’ll complete all his required reading and learn his extensive Spanish vocabulary and grammar by then.

He says good night and sends his endless love. In a P.S., he reminds her to keep her pay stubs so that they will have an easier time preparing their income tax return in 1948. In a way, that thought is nearly as intimate as some of his more fiery paragraphs.  After all,  nothing says “married” like filing a joint tax return!

Darling Dot,

I hope you’ll excuse me for not writing a long letter tonight. After I got home from Prose Workshop Mom and I had a long discussion on the situation.

Of course when she mentioned the fact that Pop could get into a VA Hospital, Pop threw up his hands and dropped his head in that pathetic gesture he has which has become his reaction to all situations which threaten the security of the poor little world into which he has withdrawn. He hasn’t eaten any since you were here, but tonight Guy Sharp told Mom something, which, along with the earlier mention of the veterans’ hospital, seems to have at least temporarily scared Pop into doing something for his own recovery.

I wish we were able to help Pop crack that little shell of a world.

I’d hoped that the ten-pager I just wrote to Burke had unburdened most of my thoughts on the matter, but all it seemed to do was unify or focus them. I hope that we can get Pop’s permission to sell the car, but I fear the same reaction if we should mention it.

I told Burke all about the situation here, as far as I could see it. I think he should know what’s going on.

Just in case you are interested (I think you are), I got an A on that “Old Charleston” paper. (Thank you for helping me.) It was too long to read in class, though. Also had several very nice comments about you! Miss Talmage said she enjoyed having a visitor who, as you did, pays attention. She thanked me for bringing you and felt you had enjoyed the class. She said you had an interestingly pretty face, and a pleasant smile and manner, and that we seemed to her to be well-suited. See, other people notice it, too.

Also, in case you’re interested, I love you very much, Dot.

I can only imagine that Dot’s brief visit to the Peterson household must have felt like an early spring had come into that cold, gloomy place.

There are no letters tomorrow, but I’ll take another quick peek at some older letters to compare where these kids were a few months back.

Dart spent most of the day preparing meals and cleaning the apartment while his mother worked. He reports that his father ate a bit more today than yesterday, but not nearly enough. Cousin Guy (medical student? doctor?) suggested he drink a half glass of wine prior to each meal to stimulate his appetite, but Dart’s not sure it’s working.

The good news is that Dart was able to get a little studying done during the hours when  he otherwise would have been at work. But there’s some bad news to report as well.

“We have just about decided to sell the car. We’ll have to raise the rent money some way and the car would pay the rent for several months. These property-owning companies  have the  blackest souls. We hate like the dickens to bid our jalopy farewell, for Mom and Pop know that they’ll not have another one, and that it’ll be a long time before you and I are able to buy one. I’d counted on having the car next summer, but it looks differently now. I’m going to miss those summer evening rides with you, Darling. Remember how we love to sing when we drive? And how nice it is to have the ventilators open on those hot evenings? ”

In a letter that arrived from Dot today, she must have mentioned something nice that her family did for her when she returned to Greenwich because Dart comments that it  must be nice to have affirmation that her family really does care about her.

When he looks back on her visit, he marvels at how he was able to restrain himself at all when they were together, even though he only restrained himself a little.

Now he must get to bed so he can get up early for church. He sends his love.

Dot’s letter that arrived yesterday brought some big news – El and Norman are engaged – and it posed a big question. Dart’s answer to that question takes up nearly all of the ten pages he writes today.

So, the question is: How would Dart feel about being married in a double wedding with the other happy couple? Naturally, El is eager to be a bride. She’s three years older than Dot and Norm is 11 years older than Eleanor. She came so close to marriage a few years ago until the no-good, would-be bridegroom jilted her just weeks before the big day. No one could blame her if she was reluctant to risk another long engagement. At 35, one could imagine that Norm was also eager to get his married life started. Then there was the consideration of Arthur and Ruth Chamberlain. Could this couple with modest means be expected to throw two daughters’ weddings in close proximity to each other?

For Dot, the biggest consideration was how Dart would react to the idea. She was fairly keen on the subject but would make no promises to her sister or her parents until Dart weighed in. True to form, he spent several pages painstakingly considering every pro and every con.

He and Dot have both wanted a big wedding, and this would certainly make it big. Also, Dart wouldn’t mind having a little reinforcement standing with him up there at the front of that big church. His main concern is that Dot might somehow feel less special on her big day. She’s always felt that everyone thought of El as being “too good” and that she herself paled in comparison. Dart would hate for that to happen to someone as wonderful as his bride! “People are so impressed with El’s generosity and her goodness that they often fail to see that the Chamberlains’ other daughter is just as wonderful and generous and openhearted as her older sister.”

If they don’t have a double wedding, El and Norm would postpone the announcement of their engagement until after Dot and Dart’s wedding. Having two weddings so close together might steal some of El’s thunder which might build up resentment between the sisters.

Naturally, there is a little bit of a cost savings if they each go in half for things like flowers, musicians, food and the like. “I’ll ask you, in planning your list of attendants and so forth, to keep it within reason. If I’m very lucky, I’ll be able to hold up my end of the plans for a large formal wedding. Please don’t embarrass me by making it too big.”

Whatever the girls decide, he implores her to keep him informed of all the plans so that he’ll know if he’ll need to schedule a few bank heists in his free time.

In other news, Mr. Kershner asked Dart if he’d sit on a small committee which is responsible for raising $6000 for a facelift to the sanctuary. Dart happily agreed. He mentioned something about perhaps a new job and small pay raise coming for him on the Plain Dealer in late February, but he gave no details.

There was also some mention about the poor treatment Dot received from the phone company regarding her schedule, and he wasn’t too keen about it. I remember Mom telling me that when she went back to work after her recovery, her old shift had been filled. The only time they could offer her was a split shift/split location. She would have to work early morning hours, have four hours off, and then go all the way across the territory to their other facility and work four hours in the evening. Phooey on that! I think Dot will be looking for another job. That’s too bad, because she loved the work and they seemed very pleased with her.

He wraps up the letter with 13 questions about wedding plans (mostly having to do with finances and transportation) and finally bids his sweetheart a good night.