13 November 1945

At the Office

Letter 20

Darling,

            Seems to me it’s been a long time since I’ve written you, though actually it’s just been since Thursday. I guess I’ve got the habit too firmly entrenched to be able to not write and not feel oddly about it. I wish you’d suffer from those pangs once in a while!

My weekend with Max was most enjoyable ….as I told you, I drove down Friday night--incidentally, it rained all weekend and was most miserable as to weather. We had planned to go to the Moundsville football game that night—but it was postponed, so Max took m to Zeller’s to dinner (and, darling, that is an excellent place to eat—really nicer than anything Pittsburgh has to offer—I can’t understand how you never got down to Wheeling—it’s quite a town) After dinner, we went to see “Kiss and Tell”—and of course, had a few drinks afterwards. We went to the McLure Hotel Bar and ran into Max’ cousin and his girl. The McLure is quite a place, too---has a small dance floor, three-piece orchestra and the gal who sings there is one of the Steel Sisters, from the Wheeling Steel radio show. She’s homely as hell—but has a fairly good voice. From there, we moved to the Club Diamond in time for the floor show—which wasn’t good, but it was fun—for the mistress of ceremonies had a good voice, and we got her to sing a lot of our favorite songs. And from there, we ended the evening at a place called Mike’s where we ate the darndest, hottest spaghetti I’ve ever tasted. If I hadn’t been so hungry, I’d never have gotten it past my nose.

Saturday, we slept til noon—and since the football game was again postponed on account of rain (though they finally played it after all—just the two teams were present—no band, no spectators, etc.), we listened to the Navy-Michigan game all afternoon. It was a trifle too one-sided for my taste—but it did a lot to heighten interest in the Army-Navy game, for Navy&s stock has gone up considerably since Saturday. You know, I’d give my eyeteeth to go to that game.

Since the Maxwell’s moved yesterday, Mrs. M. didn’t do any cooking except for breakfast, so we went out to dinner WITH THEM in Moundsville Saturday night—and then Max and I went on up to Oglebay Park, where there was a dance. And, honestly, Wray, I think Oglebay is as good as Max always said it was. And I still can’t figure out how you never got down there. They have a good orchestra—from Wheeling Steel again—the floor is big and smooth—the crowd is congenial—and though they don’t serve liquor, they will serve set-ups and you keep your bottle under the table. I really had an elegant time, for you know how I like to dance—and Max is a good dancer, as well as entertaining company. It was so nasty after the dance that we didn’t stop any place on the way back.

Sunday, we again slept late—and spent the afternoon helping Mrs. Maxwell pack dishes, pictures, knickknacks, etc. And some of their cousins dropped in for a while, so we sat around talking til about 6, when Max and I left to have dinner at Zeller’s—and then I drove on home. We used his dad’s car all weekend—except Sunday night—when we drove up to Wheeling in our car and I came on home. Max went back to Moundsville by bus.

You know, Wray, we have been slightly wrong about Max’s background—for he comes from one of the nicest homes I’ve seen in a long time—and I’m

-2-

darned if I can see how Mrs. Maxwell can give that lovely home up. It’s a great big house—with lots of big rooms, three bathrooms, all tiled—a grand kitchen. I’d give my eyeteeth to have one like it someday. They’ve sold a lot of their furniture, are storing some and will use the rest to furnish the small apartment they’ve rented. Mr. Maxwell said he’d payed his first rent for it—and that it kinda’ irked him…..they were married in the house and have always lived there.

They only intend living in the apartment for a year or so—for Mrs. Maxwell has not been too well—and the house is too much for her. She plans to go to Florida this winter and stay with Max. And, Wray, they’re grand people—nice time. Mrs. Maxwell wants me to come down again after Max goes and before you get back.

So, that was my weekend—oh yes, I did want to tell you about Zeller’s—honestly, Wray, it beats anything Piitsburgh has to offer. A very attractive dining room—soft lights and music—excellent drinks and food—and just generally all right. We’re certainly going to have to go down there when you get back—for the dinner we had at the Hofbrau weekend before last indicates that something has happened there. I had been bragging about what good dinners they served—and we really got about the saddest meal I’ve been unfortunate enough to eat in a long time. But, you’ll like Zeller’s—and Oglebay Park, just as I did—you wait and see.

Went to see Nana last night after work—and I guess my absent treatment works—for she was as sweet as sugar—a little bit too sweet, in fact. She has gotten her stuff out of storage—and showed me your guns—your drums—the quilts she has for you—the bed you want, etc. I really felt like an outsider for everything is obviously for you—sometimes I think she even forgets I’m married to you. It doesn’t bother me, however, but I will say it irritated me just a little. She has pictures of you all over the room—in fact, I couldn’t find any place she didn’t have one—in the living room, that is—but our wedding picture and the one we sent her for Christmas last year gave never been in evidence—and I don’t ever expect to see them, either.

Her apartment is very nice—though it seems to me she’s paying an awful lot of rent for two unfurnished rooms and bath, utilities and phone--$30. But she seems to think it’s very reasonable—and since she seems so satisfied, I agreed with her. However, the housing situation is still very bad here—and she’s really lucky to get so nicely settled. She has a living room—and enormous kitchen—in which she has a chest of drawers and her single bed(in addition to kitchen stuff) there is a bedroom between the two rooms and she’s hoping to get it, which, of course, will make it much nicer.

She didn’t ask me a thing about our stay in California—just how you looked and how long your ship was in. You know, the more I see of her, the more amazed I am that anyone can be so absorbed in themselves—outside of you, she isn’t interested in anything but herself.

But, as I said, everything went much ok—though I’m sure she felt like choking on some of the sweet things she said. Honestly, Wray, I’m awful sick of being such a hypocrite where she’s concerned—if there was any sincerity in her actions or words, it wouldn’t be so bad—but all she’s doing is playing a waiting game til you get home.

-3-

Didn’t get to finish this at the office today—so here I go again, this time at home.

After lunch today, I stopped in at the radio station and auditioned—and the results? Voice quality and diction, excellent…expression, zero. The latter, of course, is something that has to be acquired, for of course, no one talks like a  radio announcer during normal conversation. Bob Kliment,  the new manager, told me he thought I could do all right, if I so decided—what he’s interested in is getting some body to write, direct and put on a woman’s commentary—which, of course, is a lot of work—and something I wouldn’t even attempt to do while already working on a full-time job. But, at least, I don’t have to worry about being called upon to do any radio work concerned with an S. A. Meyer show! Mr. Meyer said he was going to tell Kliment I faked—and I told him if he did, he could look for another advertising manager!

I’m to have lunch with Doc tomorrow—so will perhaps know more local gossip tomorrow night. Mary Paul Reese is getting married Friday to somebody named Breth, from Houston or Canonsburg or some place around here. And Helen Dunbar married John McMullen last week—don’t know if you know either of them or not.

Honestly, we’ve been having the foulest weather for about the past week---rain, rain and more rain—and in the middle of the worst downpour tonight, Sneddie’s lights went out—and all I did was blow out fuses. So, I stopped in at Crumrine’s—and all that was wrong was a loose connection at the fuse place—I was sure that there was a short somewhere!

Well, you should be past Pearl by now—the way I figure it, you sold be getting to Eniwetok about Friday or Saturday. Wray, Max said he’d heard on the Coast that points were going to be cut to 43 on 15 Dec.—or did I tell you this?—anyhow, he said Ellis got out last month on 46 ˝ points—so there were still 49 last month. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you’d get back this time and find yourself ready to be discharged??????

This has turned into quite a letter—so I guess it’s no wonder I can’t think of much else to say—except that I miss you very much—need you lots—and wish you’d get home very quickly. Have a safe cruise, my darling—and take care of you for me.

Your

            Emel

P.S—Penny is just finishing up her heat period—thank heaven—she’s terrifically dirty and I’ve got to give her a bath this week, now that she’s over being messy.