Two Halves: Chapter II

Chapter II: Two Letters

July 10, 1941

Greetings Private Romero,

Oh, that sounds so formal, doesn’t it? I’d rather just call you Pete. It seems rather silly of me to be writing this so soon after we said goodbye on my front step but I want you to be among the first to get mail when you arrive at the base. So, after we said our farewell, I ran up to my room and grabbed a pen and paper to write this note.

I don’t want you to think I am the kind of girl that does this often. No sir, let me assure you, I will only write to one soldier at a time and that soldier is you. I’m sure Ruth will have something to say about that but she isn’t home yet anyway. Besides, considering her behavior lately, I’m not sure I give a flying fig what she thinks. Sorry if that sounded a little harsh. Sometimes I get a little tired being the buffer between her and dad. You know what happens to a buffer? It gets worn out, that’s what!

I don’t mean to harp on my family. It’s just that I haven’t had anyone to talk to about this and you were just so easy to talk to in person. I apologize if I said too much and talked your ear off. Even I didn’t realize I had so much to say and I guess, well, the flood gates are now open.

Anyway, I know you’ll do great with your training. Before you know it, you’ll probably be through and being shipped out to Hawaii. Isn’t that a funny spelling? I had to check it twice to make sure I spelled it correctly on my report and now I will always remember it. That’s one reason why I like it so much. It’s not predictable. Ruth says I’m predictable. I just like things a certain way so that I don’t have to worry so much about everything. Believe me, I have enough to worry about these days. Chaos makes me nervous. So, I guess I am a bit predictable at times. But I hate being that way all the time. Sometimes I do wish I could be more like Ruth. I would have to trade in a good night’s sleep for it though and that doesn’t sound like a good trade to me at all. I guess I will always be predictable me.

Hopefully, you’ll have some decent meals to eat. The fellas Ruth talk to always seem to mention the food and how it usually isn’t that great. Maybe your base will do better?

Rest assured, while I am writing this letter with my right hand, I am holding my half of your dollar bill in my left. Perhaps by doing so, you can feel all my well-wishes for your safe return.

Your friend,

Amelia (Amy) Parton

August 17, 1941

Amy,

Thank you for your letter! It was sure a nice surprise that I was one of the ones to get mail on our first mail-call day. It made most of my buddies jealous.

Please don’t be mad that I haven’t written sooner. I have attempted many times but have been kept pretty busy by my RDC (Recruit Division Commander). Every time I had a moment to write, he gave me another task to complete. He says I’m too soft for the field and has spent the last 5 weeks trying to toughen me up. I am exhausted but I am determined to keep up with the others. I want to be ready to serve when I’m called. It won’t be because of me that someone else falls out there.

Most of the guys here complain about the food also. I don’t though. It’s pretty similar to what I had at the orphanage growing up so no complaints from me. I have been able to help out in the kitchen and I’m learning how to cook. Did you know, there are a lot of spices out there? I didn’t know there were so many options. The head cook has been teaching me a lot about cooking and he says I’m a natural. I think when I get out of the Navy I might look into becoming a cook. Is that weird? I never realized it was an option before. Some guy here told me there are restaurants that people eat at that cost about a dollar for a nice steak. A dollar! Can you imagine paying that much money just to eat? I think I paid 60 cents for a meal right after I enlisted and thought that was a bit overpriced. You and I can put our two halves together when I get back and treat ourselves to a nice steak dinner. How does that sound?

I’m so glad you are comfortable enough to talk to me about your family. I want you to be able to tell me anything you want to tell me. The only thing I’m sorry about is that I’m not closer so you can tell me in person. A good friend would be able to listen and give you advice or whatever you need immediately. Even though I’m not great with advice, I do have a listening ear. Two in fact! I hate that it has taken me so long to write back this letter. I hope you will forgive me.

I don’t see what’s wrong with being predictable. The way I see it, predictability is the same as steadiness. I would have loved to have some steadiness in my life growing up. Chaos makes me worry also. I picture a life somewhere far from the big city. In some kind of rural area. I passed through areas like that on my way here. From the train window I watched as these little communities came into view and then disappeared. I couldn’t help but wonder what life would be like in such a place. They all seemed so quiet. I think I’d like to live in one someday. Less chaos, more predictability. That’s the life for me.

Even though I haven’t been able to write, I want you to know I keep my half of our dollar bill in my pocket at all times. Whenever I am feeling down, I rub it. I can’t tell you how much that helps! That night I met you is still the luckiest night of my life and I’m so thankful for it.

If it’s not too much to ask, will you please send a picture of you? All my buddies know you as my “dollar girl.” I’d like to show them how pretty you are. I mean, they already know how nice you are because I told them all about you. But a picture will be nicer to look at than my half-dollar bill. I think I’m going to rub it clean before I get home.

You are never going to believe this! I was interrupted while writing your letter and guess what?! I’M GOING TO HAWAII. We ship out in a few days. I told you that you are my good luck. You and my half-dollar. With that combination, I’ll be home before you know it. I will write you when I get there so that you have my address. I promise, I’ll write sooner this time!

Your friend,

Pete

P.S. What’s with the Amelia/Amy signature?