May 11, 1944. From Charlie to Charlotte (4)
In May 1944, just weeks before D-Day would change the course of history, Charlie sat down to write his darling with a pounding headache, a shorthand test looming, and a watch that seemed to be timing him for some cosmic joke. What follows is a letter that captures the grinding tedium of waiting for orders, waiting for his commander to give straight answers, waiting to get back to Washington, and waiting to just feel like himself again.
11 May 1944
Darling,
Yes, Honey, I feel very happy today because I got your two letters in one. Don’t know why I was worried about it because I should have known that you wouldn’t let me down. I did think that maybe something was wrong, maybe you were in an accident or got sick and couldn’t write or sumpin’.
I can’t write very much of a letter tonight, Honey, because I don’t feel so good physically or mentally other than being happy about getting your letter. I have a dull aching headache and I want to study my shorthand so that I can pass the test that I think that I have to take tomorrow. With my head aching I don’t think that I will study my would-be lessons very much tonight. The way I feel now I don’t care if I pass it or not. It is a good thing to have though.
I guess the reason that I feel a little depressed is that the more I try to get the commander pinned down to a definite answer he wants to act up and get on the silly side of the question and not ask him. Today he seemed to be in a good mood until I started to talk to him about trying to get back to Washington and then he began getting the silly and giving all kinds of smart answers. Sure wish that I could get something definite out of him so that the time will come for me to be rotated from here and I’ll be able to get things going. Maybe I can get something in the recommendation for the letter that I want to send in as soon as I can get some additional photos. Hope that the pictures that I had taken turn out okay. Need three pictures to put on the application. One for the front and one for each side.
That weather we’re having here today, last night too. I woke up several times over night and it poured for a little and then stopped. Each time it rained for a few minutes and then stopped. While I was in there it rained very hard. When I came out it had stopped and I hadn’t been in more than ten or fifteen minutes. This afternoon and tonight so far it has been raining real hard for a few minutes and then stops. Can’t tell about this weather.
Honey, I wish that you were here to hold my head for me. Sure would be a big help. Wish that you were here to take the test for me, that is the shorthand part. I think that I can pass that part all right. All they will ask me is a few questions on my work, I hope.
I am not going to try to answer your letter tonight, Honey, I hope that you understand.
I must tell you something that happened last night. When I was washing out my clothes I took off my watch and put it in my pocket. When I finished I put it on again and later I asked one of the fellows “What time it was.” It was 9:30 but the watch said ten. So I set it correctly. Then I went to bed and this morning it was an hour fast. I didn’t know that it was “timing” me. I am going to let it stop and then set it again and see if it still does gain time like that. If it does I am going to take it back so you can take it to the place you got it and have it regulated. OK? OK. Will let you know the results of my experiment.
Honey, that is about all for tonight. Keep your fingers crossed for that exam or test that I am going to take. Don’t know if it will be tomorrow but it is supposed to be.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX many more
All my love and kisses for you alone,
Charlie