Late Nights in the City

Saturday, March 25, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Pencil sketch by June Anderson.

It’s late at night again, 1:20 a.m.  I’m sitting cross-legged on my bed in my pajamas – all ready to crawl in.  Shirl’s setting her hair now.  Gee, I’m sleepy!

We went to a late show – that’s why we’re up so late.  Last night, I was up even later, until about 3:00.  I waited up for Shirl while she was out with Ted.  Art, darling, it was terribly lonesome.  I missed you so.

Well, dear, this is going to be short.  Just to tell you I love you.  I’ll be waiting for your telephone call tomorrow.

All my love,

June

P.S.  Darling, it’s 1:20 Sunday afternoon now.  I’m going down to mail this right away.  Shirl just found a note saying that Ted will be here at 2:00 instead of 3.  That means we have to hurry.  I hope she decides to come in early instead of staying out late again.  I doubt it though.

Art, I don’t mind your being with the boys, but it sounded from our phone call like there were too many girls for comfort this time.  I can practically guarantee that you’ll get the third degree from me on Friday night.

Love,

June

(Tomorrow – relationship problems back in Southampton.)

© 2011 Lee Price

I Should Bawl You Out

Friday, March 24, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

Art, circa 1950.

Before I say anything you know I love you very much.  Now I should bawl you out.  Why did you tell Jane about the dance and Joe Cerullo???!!  Didn’t you know I was kind of hoping he wouldn’t be going?  You know I’d have more time with you if we’re not chauffering Joe and Jane.  Anyway, I saw Joe tonight and he says he’s planning to write Jane a letter asking her.  Oh well, I guess we’ll all have a good time.  I hope everything works out.

You and Shirl had quite a subway ride, didn’t you?  I sat there reading your letter and laughing.  My mother wondered what was the matter with me.

Well, darling, I haven’t much to tell you.  I went to a double feature tonight of Mrs. Mike and Jungle Jim.  Afterwards, I went and had a talk with Joe, then came home and read a little and now here it is almost midnight.  That’s late for me when I’m not with you.  I promise to take it easy tomorrow night.  I love you very, very much.  Only seven more days to go.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – too many girls!)

© 2011 Lee Price

Permission to Buy Shoes

Thursday, March 23, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

I just realized that I haven’t written you a letter before midnight since I got here.  That’s pretty bad, isn’t it?

Well, I called up Daddy today and told him the bad news – that I bought some expensive cloth for my cape.  He was very sweet about it – didn’t yell my head off.  While he was in such a good humor, I decided to ask him for a little pair of shoes, too.  And he said yes!  That’s all – nothing about how broke we are, etc.  Just yes.  So I’ll probably look for shoes on Saturday.  I wonder if he was feeling alright?

Both Shirl and I have been working on the cape tonight.  We’re tired now.  Shirl was so tired this morning she couldn’t get up.  So that’s another half day of school that she’s missed.

Shirl just said I get the silliest grin on my face when I write to you.  She’s mentioned it before.  I can’t help it – it’s the work of Love.

It’s a wonder you didn’t get sick Tuesday night!  Wine and beer!  Uggh – what a horrible combination!

As soon as I finish this I’ll join Shirl for some dill pickles and potato chips.

Darling, it’s late now, so I’ll just say that I love you.  Have a nice time this weekend – but not too good a time.  Good night, my darling, and

All my love,

June

All shoe sketches by
June Anderson.

(Tomorrow – maybe June does talk too much.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Dent in the Fender

Thursday, March 23, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

I got your Tuesday letter today.  I’m very glad Shirl is back to keep you company.  I hope her cold is better by now.  Don’t you go catching it.  You’re supposed to catch your colds from me.

I didn’t go anywhere tonight, but maybe I should have.  My father’s car was stuck in the new section of our garage and we were trying to get it out tonight.  I had my car in the driveway with the lights on so we could see.  Anyway, he got out by going forward and then back – but then he forgot my car was in the driveway and backed into it.  There’s just a small dent in the fender.  Not the first one either.  Oh well.

I painted a little tonight.  Now I’ve been reading a new book, “The Wall” by John Hersey.  It’s very good.

Just a week from tomorrow night until we’re together again, darling.  I hope the time flies by, but I know it won’t.  You know how much I love you.  More than I can ever say.  I’ll call you Sunday at the usual time (at the 09 number).

Keep writing, won’t you?  I love your letters.  Good night – for now, sweetheart,

Lots of love,

Art

(Later today – dill pickles and potato chips.)

© 2011 Lee Price

The Checkerboard Horse Blanket Pattern

Wednesday, March 22, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Darling, a lot seemed to happen today.   But before I launch into my composition, I’ll tell you I love you and I count the days everyday until I see you again.  In fact, I count the days several times a day.  (It’s now 9 days, you know.)

After school, Shirl and I went down to Hester Street today to buy material.  She bought material for some dresses.  I bought the fabric for my cape.  People will turn to look when I come along in my big checks.  Have you ever seen a checkerboard horse blanket?  Well, that’s what I have – in blue and white!  I don’t care what people think – I like it.  We already cut out the pattern tonight.  It was loads of fun.

We had some difficulty getting back.  First we got on a train without looking to see if it was going up or downtown.  Next thing we knew we were in Brooklyn.  So we got off and hopped on an uptown train.  It was fine until we woke up some time later to find ourselves on Fifth Avenue, well on our way to Queens.  So we got off and backtracked again.  It was 7:15 when we left the store, and 8:15 when we stepped off the subway  at 81st Street.

When we got back here there was a notice for me to call an Ingersoll number.  I did, and found I was talking to Bruno’s old girlfriend Mary.  She’s still going out with that guy in Brooklyn.  Shirl and I are planning to meet Jane on Monday afternoon and probably go and see her apartment, too.  If you see Singer, tell him I apologize.  He was right:  Jane really is working as an assistant secretary on Wall Street.

I asked Jane Hastings if she would be interested in the dance at St. George.  I told her that Joe Cerullo was thinking about going and he might ask her if he ever got around to it.  She said she’d love to go and told me to try to get you to prod Joe a little.  I’m sorry, darling.  Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it.  Do I talk too much?  Sometimes I don’t think before I talk.  Well, I hope I didn’t do anything drastically wrong.  This is the end of the page and the end my night, too, dear.  Keep writing.  I love you very much, and when someone tempts you for a date Saturday night, don’t you dare go!!!

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – a dent in the fender.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Short Note to Say I Love You

Wednesday, March 22, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

This will be quite short.  Just a note to say how much I love you.

If tomorrow’s letter is anything like Monday’s, I’m going to call you up and make sure you’re all right.  I’ve been worrying about you all day, my darling.  I hope you haven’t been alone all this time.  Shirl must be back there by now.  I just had a happy thought.  If Shirl’s not feeling well maybe you’ll have to come home this weekend.  I told you I was selfish but I can’t help it.  I love you so much.

I haven’t much to tell you.  I had the morning off, as you know, and went to my painting class tonight.  We had a different model again.  We haven’t had the same one twice yet!  I got home about 10:30.  Since then, I’ve been reading a continued story in the Saturday Evening Post.

I miss you very much, darling.  You know that I do.  You will be careful of yourself, and not so depressed and lonely, won’t you?  I love you very much, my sweetheart.

Lots of love,

Art

(Later today – the checkerboard horse blanket pattern.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Shirl Returns!

Fashion illustration by June Anderson.

Tuesday, March 21, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Well, Shirl is back, and I feel much, much better.  She strolled in about half past 4 and I nearly fell over her.  I was so glad to see her!  She really does have a bad cold.  Or at least, it was – it’s getting better now, or so she says.

Art, dear, before I forget – if you call up Sunday will you call on the 09 number instead of 08?  Mrs. Kanter is leaving Thursday for Florida and they are having a telephone answering service for 08.  I’ll answer myself for 09.

Darling, guess what?  It’s now six hours later, 5 after 1, a late night.  I put up the letter because Shirl and I went out to get a coke.  We’ve been talking ever since.  Sweetheart, I miss you.  I can’t even seem to talk about myself anymore – just you.  That’s definitely a bad sign.



I still haven’t done any schoolwork.  I can’t seem to settle down to it.  And I probably won’t do any tomorrow either.  After school, Shirl and I are going to look for some cloth for my cape.  If we find it, we’ll probably cut it out that night.

Oh, I was late for school this morning.  Shirl wasn’t here last night so I had to set the alarm myself.  But when I pulled the thing on top to set it, it started ringing.  I don’t understand it.  I kept trying again and again (setting the time and the alarm) and a half hour passed and still when I pulled the thing on top the alarm would go off.  So I finally gave up and woke up late for school this morning.

By the way, Shirl is going out Friday night with Ted.  I don’t know about Sunday.  She’s not going Saturday night – he works then.

Darling – there’s so much I would like to say.  But it all adds up to I love you – so much.  And more.  But it doesn’t come out right on paper.  I’m still waking in a dream when I think of the wonderful weekend we had together.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – revolving models.)

© 2011 Lee Price