Sunday 1700

April 2, 1944

Dearest Marguerite:

I shouldn’t be writing today, because I am not in a very good mood, and I may say something I shouldn’t have, but I have to write because I didn’t write Friday or last night. I have been in town both nights and also this afternoon, just came back about an hour ago. I called up again about that place, but he has some kind of a meeting on Tuesday with the O.P.A., so I can’t find anything about it until then. I was also up to the USO and they don’t have a thing, so by the looks of things you will have to be content by staying at home, maybe it’s for the best. I am really sick about the whole thing and very unhappy. It’s all my fault. I should have looked around instead of waiting for this place, but then again I had no money to put down on a place. And another thing, I am not going to come home until I find a place for you. I may be getting a furlough with the next group and they will leave next Tuesday, on the 11^th, and if I am sure of getting one I won’t come home for the weekend, and we will have to make some arrangements on how we are going, if you want me to come home, or meet some place. You are always good at figuring things out, maybe you have a solution. I should know more about it later on this week. They are 12 day furloughs. I also have a puppy here. I ask for one of them, and I wrote home and ask them if they would keep him for me, or let Phyllis have it, she seems so excited about it. So I may put him in a box and take home if I get a furlough. He is black and white, spotted, but you will have to help me find a name for him.

It’s awfully lonesome for me again this weekend, and I am not feeling well. I wish I was in your arms, so you could comfort me. I can’t live without you, my life was never so empty as it is today. I feel almost as though I have lost you. I love you so much my dearest, please believe me.

This camp is really filling up again. The 610^th moved out on Thursday, and a Tank Battalion moved in on Friday. The new division in all here now, and seems to be pretty large.

My Dad seems to be very proud of his name sake. You know the pictures you sent him, well he took them to work and showed them to all the men there, and they all think he is cute. Dad says for him to open his eyes next time so he can see what color they are. He is very busy these days, he is fixing the walker. He bought some new wheels for it, now they don’t fit the old axel, so he has to get some new axles for it now. I guess he is having a great time. He likes to be doing things like that. He also said he would like to come out here to see us, but he can only get 2 gallons of gas a week, so he can’t go very far on that. He also thanked us both for the cards. They were down to my sisters last Sunday for a birthday dinner, and Dad made the ice cream, he always makes it good. Dad said he was hopeing we could make one for him next year. I am hopeing too. My parents want a picture of your mother and Dad, they don’t even know what they look like; so if you have an extra one I would like for you to send it, please. Remember Mary Hausman one of our neighbors, well she is still around home, and Jean, you met her well she is getting married today. (Sunday) I guess this is about all from the home front.

How is Dorthy? Tell me what happened to her. I was kind of excited thinking I was going to be another uncle.

How does “Al” like his tomato juice, or didn’t you give it to him yet. I’ll bet he is getting cute. Today he is eleven weeks old. They say a baby is supposed to double their weight in three months, and I think by the way he is going he will be over it. Keep up the good work honey. You proved yourself as a good mother.

We are having another swell day again today. I passed the park in Franklin when I was on the bus, and the trees look like they are getting green, and the grass is also very green.

I don’t know how much I weight, I haven’t weighed myself since I was home last, but I guess I am still about the same. I can’t notice any difference. How much do you weigh now? You said you lost some weight.

It sounded so good to hear your voice again last night after so long. It almost made me want to come home, and now I wish I would have. I tried to call you earlier, but the lines were busy for an hour or so, so I went to the show and saw “Buffalo Bill,” it was in technicolor and it was very good, anyway I thought, something different. Say honey, next time I call you like that I am going to reverse the charges. I wanted to hear you talk and your cute laugh, you are really sweet.

I found your letter when I got back to the barracks, and I had one this morning. The one you wrote Saturday morning. It sure came quick.

I bought myself a new service inbox on Friday night, tho other one I had was dirty and it was also broken.

What did you mean when you said you were in love with your son now too. Weren’t you always? I always thought you were crazy about him.

I wish I could give you a good bath one again. You know it has been a long time, too long. I am so much in love with you Maggie, my heart really aches for you. Everytime I think of you I get a lump in my throat, and when that happens they say it means you are in love.

It’s seven o’clock now, and not dark yet, but it won’t be long. The sun is just about down, and the sky is very red. Should be a nice day tomorrow. There are going to be plenty of stars out tonight. Also that lovely moon. I think I’ll quit for now. I’ll be going to bed soon because there is nothing else to do. I’ll probably brood awhile.

I am going to dream of you as I do almost every night.

All my love to you my dearest wife.

Your husband,

Preston