Sept. 29, 1945

Sept. 29, 1945

      Dearest Shirl,

      You’ve probably heard the jolly news by now so there isn’t much to say.  It was a raw deal but you can’t get the last word in.  I was pretty mad since I found out but what’s the use?  To me, being with you is the most important thing in life.  To the army it’s just another tough luck story.  I have a feeling that the days to come until I finally get my discharge will be the worst in the Army.  It won’t be too bad though.  The end has to come soon.  Wonder what my feelings will be when I walk off an Air Field for the last time.  Its been a long time on one job.  Do you get very tired of my griping and mental wanderings?

      One thing happened that you would get a terrific kick out of.  Our new navigator Bob Garmin is only twenty and a little on the naive side.  He’s my bunk mate.  We were walking to the flight line yesterday and he was sort of quiet and thoughtful.  Finally, he looks at me and says , “ Will you tell me somethings?”  M being an old so and so I said sure.  He looks at me sort of forlorn and says, “ Will you tell me about women?”  I came close to passing out but I kept a straight face.  He said that his parents never told him anything and that he was curious.  I asked him what in particular he wanted to know about.  He said that he wondered about when a girl was a pick.  That did it!  Me of all people to ask.  I gave him one of the most weird explanations ever given.  He was so serious during it all and kept asking the goddamndest questions.  He even started me to wondering about certain things.  Anyway he is very grateful to me for enlightening him on this delicate subject.  He thinks I know all about everything now.  He sticks to me like glue.  We’re genuine buddies.  I feel like a father.  More damn queer mix ups.

      Yipe, what a mornin this was.  Cold, windy and rain.  My feet have been wet for two days.  Needless to say ole devil cold has set in.  Sniffles too.  No cough yet!   Things are developing in their natural way. 

       Your letter arrived this afternoon.  What’s a chubbins good or bad? 

     Hey, you got furlough fever.  So that’s why they call it “blue Monday”. The whole setup is wrong.  You gotta give for fifty weeks so you can take for two.  There must be a way to make a living without working.  Maybe we can discover a gold mine. 

       You’re pulling my leg!  Mouses don’t go wrapping themselves around strangers’ toes. 

      Was Cable a hot wire?  Yak yak yak.   Sharp tonight, hey kiddo?   Ain’t Gail a her too?

      I surrender dear on account of the poem which I don’t know who wrote and want to find out.  Wow.   So what school did -  alright I was kicked out. 

      You do so too shave, only at the other end.  Did you forget about your legs?  I haven’t! 

      I don’t know why people tease you.  Maybe it’s because you’re a good egg.  Who’s little Anne? 

     Honey bun, you old sweetie pie.   Seen any harmonicas lately?   

        “You make the sunset” is a pretty good song. 

       In my last letter to Bill I used some enormous words describing the Japs.  Hope I’m all wet.  Usually am. 

      Gee golly, pretty soon October 1st again.  Every time you turn your back on a month it turns into a year. 

      You know sumpin’?  Moods are sometimes caused by circumstances and circumstances are sometimes caused by moods.  Vicious circle ain’t it?

      I’m beginning to remember my dreams after I wake up.  Guess who stars in them. 

     Good night once again darling

      I’ll take good care of your love.  It’s part of me.

I love you

Ray