29 Mar March 29, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
March 29th 1944
Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Darling,

I’m trying to get this letter written before Eleanor leaves for work, so that
she can mail it for me.

I spent a very interesting afternoon at Hayes’s today at this luncheon affair
she was having.   Today she told me it was for me as she wanted me to meet her
friends, and made me sit at the head of the table.  Fine thing!  Guess she
didn’t think I’d come if she had told me that beforehand.  It wasn’t too bad,
tho, except that Edith brought up the New Deal and politics which wasn’t
exactly the thing for her to do to a Democrat (her guest of honor)!  Boy they
sure ran them down.  Maybe she intended to get an argument out of me, but I
didn’t say a thing.

They also brought up the subject of unfaithful war brides, and as I was the
only one there, I felt that

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I should take it all in.  They also mentioned a couple of war brides being
kicked off a train on their way to see their husbands, for approaching other
soldiers.  I expect all these subjects were unintentional, but guess I just
felt funny.  I did meet a nice girl there tho (about 25 to 30 years old and
married)  who said she wanted to call me up, sometime.   I think she said she
once worked at Smith’s.  I think her name’s Robinson, but not at all
sure.  She’s slender, tall and about my coloring.  Think her first name was
Helen.  Do you know anyone by that name?  Veda was there and Lil De Young and
a couple of others that I can’t remember their names.

Understand that Mrs. Smith on Lowe Ave. has a job as a bookkeeper someplace on
115th Street starting last Monday.  These old gals are really getting the
breaks now.  Edith Hayes wants to go to work too, she says.

I’m still waiting for a letter from you telling me what to do about

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coming down there.  If I don’t make reservations pretty soon I won’t be able to
get them.  I understand that I can’t make return reservations until I get there,
and also heard it’s practically impossible to get back once you’re there.  That
means my visit to you may be extended.

Talked to Ray Hitchcock’s mother today and she said that Ray is home.  He came
in last Thursday.  Some people sure are lucky.  Maybe our time will come too -
eventually.

I bought lining for Ronnie’s coat today, so hope to finish it tonite - maybe.

Edith Kuester called me today and wondered how you were getting along.  She
thought that by this time you’d have a medical discharge.
She talked and talked and talked and I was on pins and needles as I was due at
Hayes’ then.  I did get there fifteen minutes late.  I like Edith Kuester,
tho, she seems very nice.

Mr. Peterson, a salesman from Brant’s called today and asked if I’d

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reconsider selling our house.  He had a buyer from Akron, Ohio, who thought
it ideal, as they had a housekeeper who could use the upstainrs room and also

a son.  He said they had money and would pay our price and [in] cash.  I said
"no" of course, as I didn’t think you wanted to.  He felt pretty bad about it.
Murray hasn’t had a prospect for some time, Marge said, altho some one is
going to look at their’s tonite.

Well Elinor is leaving, so adios and sweet dreams, honey.

Lovingly,
Monnie and Ronnie

P.S. I had a dream about you the other nite -- oh boy!