Dart spent this Decoration Day doing not much of anything:  Wrote to a classmate of his from Treasure Island; watched East Cleveland’s puny parade; puttered in the basement where he managed to drip molten metal on his arm; read a mystery, listened to records; gobbled up some of his mother’s fresh-baked cake. What he really wishes he’d done was spend the day with Dot at the picnic.

On a recent phone call, she’d mentioned having falling 500 pages behind in history reading. He says he hopes she caught up, and then commented that 500 pages of Naval history must surely be deader than an embalming lesson.

Then  he reveals another reason why Dot loves him so much; his ability to accept his own faults, and apologize, all the while expressing his love and showing a  bit of humor. “I’m sorry I took the wrong attitude about your kidding that day, in the basement. I’m really convinced, but I can’t quite realize that a girl could be nutty enough to like trains. But you fell for me, too, so that doesn’t make you so smart, does it?”

He admits that her “no” on Saturday night disappointed him, but it’s what he wanted from her. But he’s not angry. “If I’d been angry, I’d not be worth a thing. I said I wouldn’t, if you said no, and the answer was up to you. I’m glad it worked out as it did.”

He tells her he misses her, and bids her good night.

#          #          #

Dot is rushed, frazzled and overwhelmed with all she has to do. Hearing Dart’s voice tonight made things s little better. “I’m afraid I didn’t sound very cordial over the phone, did I? I’m getting more disagreeable every day. Maybe it’s worry over exams. Whatever it is, I hope it’s gone by a week from tomorrow night.” The PE picnic was loads of fun, but she couldn’t stop thinking about her history test. They played 20 innings of softball, and naturally, her team won.

“I love you very, very much, Dart. I’ve missed you so much my heart actually aches when I think about it. Can it be that in a year we won’t have to endure these long separations? I surely hope so ‘cuz I can’t stand it much longer. Thanks for being everything you are, and above all, thanks for asking me to be your wife.”