Letters Ray To Shirl a WWII Love Story

  Nov. 9, 1942 Dear Shirley Darling Shirley Dearest Darling Shirley Haya Babe, Hey You!       Well don’t just stand there, take your choice.      Last week I had one of my annual moods.   Being in the hospital made it worse, so disregard my last letter.   I wasn’t me, I was the guy in the next ward.   He’s batty.   I snapped out of it yesterday morning and am once again my charming self.   I answered Bills letter and told him I would be back to Lansing when the war’s over ——— on an occasional weekend.   I also advised him to come to Chicago.   If his wife ever sees my letter she’ll   send me a time bomb for Christmas.         I wrote you three letters before this one, but didn’t mail them.   I looked them over and never read such tripe in my life.   Today, however, I am back on the beam, and am at present writing to you.   That is, while I am writing, I am writing to you, when y...

  Sept. 19, 1946       My Darling,       The years are passing slowly and next Sunday still seems a long way off.   I don’t mind your being away tonight so much, but you had better be around months from tonight.         Wanta know something ironic?   I haven’t worked overtime one night since you left.   Business is slow.   I suppose when you get back it’ll pick up.         Beautiful fog over the city this morning.   I drove through Humboldt park and it reminded me of the moors in Wuthering Heights.           I called your mom and she didn’t say anything about coming to meet you so I told her how we would have breakfast together and be home later.   She said O.K.          When I talked to your Pop on Monday I told him that I had called you up and he wanted to know the number there.   Did he call too?   My what a popular gal. ...

  Sept. 17, 1946       My Darling,        Gee Whiz, a letter and a post card all at once.   Oh Goody.   It’s swell.          I’m glad I caught you in Sunday.   Did me good talking to you.   Was getting a bit restless.          Sounds like the Carmichaels are treating you nice.   What with these dates with strange men and all.   Ya say Waldo is a great tease.   Well you ought to feel right at home.   Is he more efficient at it than Bill and I?   Could this be possible?       Wanta hear about our date Saturday?   Be calm Darling, remember your bloodless pressure.   Waaeeeeeelllll we met at two and drove over to Isbell’s.   That skinny old boss of yours sure can eat.   First we had a few pleasant refreshments.   Then we flirted with the waitress.   Then a few pleasant refreshments.   Time for food so we had ...

  Sept. 15, 1946      Dearest Darling,      It seems like you’ve been gone for ages.   I wish tomorrow morning that I could meet you at the airport.   I miss you so.   Those days next week are going to be long.        Got your card yesterday.   Glad you got to the beach.   Haven’t been to any beach yet but I did take a bath one day.   Sure felt good.      Your pop called like he said but he didn’t have anything definite so he’s going to call again Monday.   I talked to your mother Thursday.   She misses you and tried to comfort me on my loneliness.   We ought to get together and cry in our beer.         Went to Lee’s Thursday night.   Nuff said!      Holy Catfish!   What my fender!   Tch Tch, Hell it’ll cost 25 or 35 cents to fix it.         Al and I went to a show and dinner last night.   A couple o...