December 18, 1943

Dear Mom,

Just finished a letter to Frank and there’s a half hour left before bed time so I’ll see how much ink I can burn up in what’s left. Guess I told you two more of your Christmas packages arrived—that makes three all together. Everything was O.K. except the fruit cake and I don’t miss it since I never liked the stuff too much anyway. I’m sure the others will get here before Christmas so rest easy. One of your letters came in which you said you got my pictures. Glad you like them. My pack is fuller now than it was four or five months ago because I’m eating better. Send those pictures to those people whose names I have written on them, you know. Also send me four (4) of each, I promised Rosales a couple so he could send them to whoever he wants to. All in all, you should have a fair to middling Christmas. Pictures of me, one hundred and fifty bucks besides and best of all, me not laying around stiff someplace. What more can the head of a house want? I’m glad you have some nice roomers. You’ve had good luck with them so far. So Angie wants to have those pictures developed. Do as you please about them, in fact, give him a couple too. It’s a hell of time they’re having in the Dept. isn’t it. Something smells to me. Inspector Story is the smartest man in the Detective Bureau—he stepped on somebody’s toes or else somebody is putting the heat on Matowitz from the City Hall. I don’t know which but it’s one of them. It doesn’t make too much difference to the guys in the ranks though. I’m going to ask you to call Inspector Lenahan-maybe I’d better write him and ask him for some books to study while I’m over here. Being away from the stuff is going to be an awful disadvantage for me when I get back. Hope I can finish school at the Academy. Also, I haven’t heard from Henry for a while. He must be occupied. Jan hasn’t written for a long time either—wonder whats what? I’m O.K. so don’t worry. There’s no need for Vitamin pills—I get plenty of Vitamin D through sunshine. Say hello to Mollie and keep writing. Your letters are getting here on time now and that’s enough for me. Take care of yourself and say hello to everybody. Meanwhile,

Love,

Bun