21 Oct October 21, 1944

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
October 21, 1944
Sat. Nite 10:00 P.M.

Hello, Darling,

Saturday night again and I’m home all alone. If you only knew how much I miss
you right this minute!  It seems somehow that of all the nights I stay at home,
Saturday night is the hardest to take.  I keep remembering how we used to get
all dressed up, fit to kill, then go to the Nantucket or the Barn for dinner,
and later sit and hold hands in a movie.  Am I breaking your heart?  Those
Saturday evenings meant a lot then, but if I could relive one in the next week
or two, I’d give almost anything.

I told you in the last night’s letter that I had a terrific cold in my head.
Well, I feel a lot better today, thank goodness (and Alka-Seltzer).  I managed
to clean house, air my rugs (the hall and living room runners), and made three
meals for Ronnie me and myself.  Sure is hard to make meals

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when Ronnie and I are home alone, but for dinner tonight I prepared broiled
short steaks, mashed potatoes, gravy, buttered green beans, lettuce, and cheese
cake, milk and coffee.  I even enjoyed eating in spite of just having Ronnie
for company.  He’s quite an escort at that, as he certainly keeps up a table
conversation.  He asked me today if "Daddy was coming back soon."  I said, "I
think so."  Every once in a while during the day he picks up one of your
pictures, kisses it, hugs it and puts it back.  It’s so cute, wish you could
see him!

The other night as I was dressing him, I was telling him that we were going
bye-bye in the car to pick up Elinor (who was at the beauty shop).  He said,
"Did the airplane push Elinor down?"  (Boy, did I have a time explaining myself
out of that one.)  Of course, Elinor told him that she makes airplanes.  So I
s’pose he figured

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that if "we were going to pick her up," she must have been pushed down by an
airplane.  He’s so full of questions all the time, that I can’t keep up with
him.  Lately when he asked me to do this or that, and I ask "Why," he answers
"Because."  Where he picked that up I don’t know.

After dinner tonight, at 6:00 o’clock, Ronnie and I went shopping on the Avenue.
I bought a rag rug for the bedroom, a pr of denim overalls (blue, trimmed in
red) overalls for Ronnie, a piece of blue corduroy to make him another pr of
overalls, had my wedding shoes half-soled, and a few other small items.  I
looked at the corduroy overalls and they cost $2.25, so instead I bought the
material, and in this way they’ll cost only a $1.25, and will fit nicer, too,

I hope.  Almost forgot I also bought a warm wool helmet for Ronnie.  It’s navy
blue and red.

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By now I s’pose you see that whenever we go shopping, it’s usually for Ronnie.
He sure outgrows his clothes in a hurry, too.  You’ll also be proud to know
that he wears size 5 and 6 in overalls, now, and they’re not much too large
either, just about an inch too long, that’s all.  It’s no wonder his old size
2 overalls, don’t fit him anymore.  I buy his clothes in the boys department
now.  Now [None] of this "infant stuff" goes anymore.

Elinor left right from work to go on her vacation, so I’ll be alone now until
Thurs. night when she’ll be back.

Well, Darling, until tomorrow, I’ll say goodnight, now, and here’s a big hug
and kiss. (Can you take it?)

I’m plenty worried, as I haven’t heard a thing from you for a whole week now.
I’m really doubling up on my prayers, honey!

All our love,
Mommie and Ronnie