── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ──

❝ letter two ❞

16th December, 1943

Dear Steve,
                      I apologize for taking so long to write again. I have received no reply from the last letter but I understand that you must be very busy fighting in the war. My father says that you are leading the charge to push back against the Nazi front lines. Or at least that's what the papers are saying.

I am incredibly proud of you and the work you are doing on the front. I will wait for a reply before I send a package but I've put an extra piece of paper inside the envelope so you can write on it with whatever you need.

I'm still not quite used to you being so far away. Another month without you has made my heart grow desperate to see your face or see words you have written on a page. The other side of the country already felt far but we are an ocean apart and I wish I was by your side. I know the front line would be awful and I have heard from Dolores' letters from her husband on the front that it is very tiring but I would do anything to hear your voice again.

It has been nearly three months since I last heard your voice and that feels like such an awfully long time. I was so used to being around you and James. It is odd to know you are now so far away and out of my reach. These letters are all I have to connect myself to you and I pray that your letters can connect me to you even further.

My heart still longs for you.

But Father still thinks you are not a worthy suitor and Heath and his family are spending Christmas with us. He believes it will change my mind but I have assured him that it will change nothing. Heath is nothing like you but you know that. James never liked him and I have always trusted his opinion on people. He is a good judge of character.

I feel like I complain far too much in these letters and I do not mean to. I just want you to know what is going on in my life. I'm not sure if Connie is sending letters to James but she always talks about him. It's rather sweet.

After the Stark Expo, she never quietened down about him. It seems she is excited to have someone in her life who likes her just the same. I think they go together quite well, don't you?

I hope James is serious about her. I remember how he loved Dolores when we were younger and did anything to make her swoon. I hope he treats Connie the same way when he's back in Brooklyn. Connie is such a sweet young girl and again, if you receive this letter, tell James to write. She misses him awfully and I miss you awfully.

I do not mean to make these letters sad and I do not wish to make you feel guilty but it's Christmas soon and I know you will not be back before then. It has been years since I have had a Christmas without you around. It's rather disconcerting. It's terrifying and with the war on, it's not the same. I keep hearing about friends dying on the front lines and the Germans ruthlessness. The whole world seems to be swept up by this war and it worries me that the fighting may return to our shores.

My father always has the news playing. He doesn't seem to do much else other than work and listen for any news about the war these days. He's miserable and he hates the rationing but he knows that it is his duty especially because he cannot fight in the war. I think he feels left out. He fought in the Great War after all and this has changed him. I don't know what to do and he doesn't seem to want my assistance.

He's glad that I'm doing something other than painting and seeing my friends, however. He enjoys that I'm taking up writing even if it is only letters to you. I think he expects me to see how unfit you are because you have yet to respond but I don't mind. War is hard and you must be so very busy.

I don't know what happened to you but you're so much stronger than I remember. You changed so much and I know I'm not allowed to know but I am proud of you and I am happy. You are doing the country proud and I really hope I can visit you again soon. I long to see your smile again.

This letter should reach you for Christmas and so, Happy Christmas. I hope you receive even a little bit of joy on Christmas even so far away. Christmas in Europe must be so strange but if anyone can adjust to the challenge, it will be you.

I hope to see you in the new year and for this terrible war to be over.

With love,
Josie