Faux Pas

Tuesday, December 13, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

I called my mother Sunday after you left.  She forgave me for forgetting her birthday.

We did homework last night, so I didn’t get much sleep.  Today in school I was miserable and depressed.  Tonight I’m faced with loads of homework again.  My spirits are way down again.

So, I figured, why not do something foolish?  Like going to a double feature after supper and then stay up doing homework till 1 or 2.  I had a hard time persuading Shirl, but finally had my way.  I feel much better now, in fact, I feel good.  Mischievous in a way.  I enjoy doing things I know I shouldn’t.

Fashion illustration
by June Anderson.

I just designed a spring suit.  It looks a little homely. Now it’s time to return to historic research.

Know what I heard?  The debutante slouch of the 20’s is coming back.  They say I won’t be fashionable after Christmas unless I walk around with my shoulders hunched over and stomach sticking out.  Well, here’s one girl leaving the fashionable set!

I always seem to feel tired, except when I’m with you.  Of course, the way you hold me makes me feel nice and all over lazy.  There’s no more comfortable feeling than that.

It’s now 1 a.m.  Shall I do Historical Research or try to design a better suit?  I have to get back to work.  Night – Pleasant dreams.  I’ll send you loads of kisses.  If you were here tonight, I’d wrestle with you – I feel like it.  Hmmmm – miss you.

Love,

June

(Tomorrow – the talk about Bruno and his car.)

© 2010 Lee Price

Imagine Forgetting Your Mother's Birthday!

Tuesday, December 13, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June: 

Sketches by Art Price.

I worked a little harder today than usual since it was Bruno’s day off.  Tomorrow I have off.  I guess I’ll just take it easy.  It’s been rainy for two days so I probably won’t be able to do any work outside.  Maybe I’ll get some artwork done.  I did a little tonight – not much though.

I hope you called your mother yesterday as you said you would.  Imagine forgetting her birthday!  Be good and work hard, and please don’t leave too much work for your vacation.  I miss you – nine more long days to go.  Good night now,

Lots of love

Art

(Tonight – the debutante slouch.)

© 2010 Lee Price

Poor Bruno!

Monday, Dec. 12, 1949

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June: 

Art and June.

I’m still thinking about that wonderful unexpected weekend with you.  Now I’d better tell you the news.

Poor Bruno!  He and Joe went to see the girls on Saturday night and you know Bruno was hoping to see Mary.  Well Mary was out, so he and Joe visited with Jane, Helen, and Lorraine till about 3 in the morning.  When Bruno opened the door to leave, there was Mary with her other boyfriend saying good night.  Poor Mary had no idea Bruno was in the city.  What a situation!  Everybody kept calm though, I guess.

Bruno has his car back.  He and Joe saw it as they were going into a bar about ten blocks from Mary’s apartment.  They called the police, had to take the car to the station, and prove it was Bruno’s car.  Lots of red tape.  The police think some kids probably took the car for a joy ride and then left it near where they had found it.  About a quarter tank of gas had been used.  Everything came out okay, the car is untouched.  They didn’t hurt it a bit.

They tried to call me then but couldn’t get anyone.  I don’t know why.  Later that night, they took out Jane, Helen, and Lorraine (3 girls, 2 boys).  Mary didn’t come with them as she had a date.  The guys left about midnight, got lost a couple of times, and reached home 3:30 on Monday morning.  (I’m glad I got the train.)

Of course, everybody in town has heard about it by now.

Only ten more days till I see you.  I miss you like everything but I’m sure I won’t be able to take another weekend.  I’d never hear the end of it.  I’ll be thinking of you though.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – it's revealed that June forgot something important.)

© 2010 Lee Price

Dear Hearts and Gentle People

Monday, December 12, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

I didn’t get to sleep until 1:30 last night – we turned the  lights out early but Shirl kept talking.  I’m so tired today.  But I don’t care – it was great seeing you.  I could never have had a nicer surprise.

Do you know what happened to Bruno’s car?  I still can’t get over it.

Twelfth century historic research
by June Anderson.

Tonight and tomorrow I can’t write long letters.  Both Shirl and I have to slave over Historic Research.  It’s all due, from the twelfth century through the eighteenth (divided into quarter centuries), on tracing paper by Wednesday.  For the rest of the night, that’s what I’ll do.

…

I’ve worked three hours now.  Shirl and I went out and got a large bottle of cream soda, candy, and potato chips.  We just polished them off.  Gee, I’m full.  Well, I accomplished quite a bit of work.  This is just a rest, though, before I start again.

Just think, only six more days of school!  I’m jealous of your sister – she has even less.

I have to end this letter – my homework’s waiting – darn it!

Song on the radio – I love those dear hearts and gentle people who live and love in my hometown — no – in Southampton!

Hmmm-mmm, how nice it was to see you!

All my love,

June

(Tonight – Bruno's mess of a weekend.)

© 2010 Lee Price

A Whirlwind Trip to the City

Sunday, December 11, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June:

Statue of Liberty charcoal
sketch by Art Price.

This will be short.  I can hardly keep my eyes open.  But I feel kind of guilty about my trip to New York.  While I had such a swell time, Bruno and Joe had such a mess of it.

I got home okay in spite of the Long Island Rail Road.  What a railroad!  I’m glad I usually take the car.  Bruno and Joe were not on the train.  I looked from one end to the other.  Either something came up, or they found the car, or else they simply missed the train.  I wonder when they’ll get back.

I had a wonderful weekend, unexpected though it was.  Be good and take care yourself.  Remember me to Shirl.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – weekend's over, back to homework.)

© 2010 Lee Price

June among the Van Gogh

Undated letter, later hand-delivered

Written Saturday, December 10, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

This will be a short letter as I am too gloomy to write.  I just got your nice letter and even that failed to cheer me up.  I’m about to lose reason, grab the paper, and tear it to shreds.  I can’t stand this room any longer.  As soon as I finish this I’m getting out – anywhere!  God knows what I’ll do!  I sure am in a terrible mood, aren’t I?  I didn’t realize it was that bad.

Dear Art,

It is now 9:30 p.m.  I feel much better as you might guess.  Shirl says I look happy sitting here – which isn’t too unusual when I’m writing to you.

We went shopping this afternoon.  Shirl bought a new skirt, blouse and hat.

Then we walked across Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum to see Van Gogh’s work.  The fresh air revived me.  At the Met, I saw Roman statues, an Indian temple, Indian jewelry, Chinese vases, knight’s armor, and

oh – everything was wonderful!  I could have wandered there for ages – not studying things closely but wandering around and stopping at things that caught my eye.

Oh yes.  Van Gogh.  I don’t know.  I looked at 95 of his pictures and I still don’t know whether I like his work or not.  At the risk of sounding old fashioned and very non-sophisticated, I don’t think I did.  However, I enjoyed looking.

When the museum closed down at 5, we went to the movies – saw “All the King’s Men” – a

Paintings by
Vincent Van Gogh.

very good movie.  Now I am home and happy.

Tomorrow, I’m planning to go out again.  This time to the American Museum of Natural History.

I must be a very musty character, liking museums like this.

I’m going to miss you tomorrow.  Even the Museum of Natural History isn’t as nice as you.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow night – a surprise visit.)

© 2010 Lee Price

Please No More Postponements!

Saturday, December 10, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June:

Sometimes I wonder what kind of school this Traphagen is!  One morning you’re late, then you’re reading “Look” Magazine in class and painting Picassos when you should be drawing fashion.

Please no more postponements.  I couldn’t take another one.  You know what my plans for Thursday night are!

Still life by Art Price.

Smitty (of “Smitty’s”) was in the store today and I asked him about New Years at his restaurant.  I’m sorry to say the whole place has been hired for a private party.  He’s guaranteed 90 dinners and 80 quarts of champagne whether anyone comes or not so you can’t blame him.  Last year, he had 90 reservations.  Because of bad weather, only 50 showed up – so he lost his shirt.  We’ll just have to make some other plans I guess.  With you, I know I’ll have a swell time anywhere.

I went to the movies last night and then saw a good fight on television.  All the boys were out – Joe, Bruno, Farmer, and Singer.  Bruno told me he talked to Jane on the telephone when he called Mary.  Apparently, Jane has really arrived, with three trunks.  Sounds just like her.  I had a few beers at the Anchorage and was home about one.

Do you realize I’m going almost three weeks without you?  I miss you more and more all the time.  In fact, don’t be too surprised if I pop up someday.  You never can tell.

Love and Kisses,

Art

(Tonight – Van Gogh at the Met.)

© 2010 Lee Price