Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Tuesday, April 25, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY



Dear Art,

Fashion illustration by
June Anderson.

I have so much homework (the old complaint).  I try to do some work in school but can’t seem to accomplish a thing.  Shirl’s making a plaid dress in school and she brought it home to do some work on it here tonight.  It’s all gored and pleated and she has to match all the plaids perfectly.  She worked so hard, finished, held it up to look at it (one seam) and you should have seen her face!  It was a glaring mistake.  We both got hysterical.  I’ve been teasing her ever since.  Poor kid.  I hope she’ll keep me for a roommate!

You couldn’t have answered that moody letter I sent you in any better way.  Not possibly.  I’m back normal enough, so I could even laugh at what you thought of it.  You were, of course, perfectly right.  The only thing is, will it be safe for me to come home Friday?

I hate to see the USA play sissy or anything, but they’d just better not have
a war with Russia until you’re 50 or so.  I just dare them.

Oh, darling!  They’re playing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” on the radio.  May I?  But I seem to prefer darling anyway, so I guess I’ll just continue calling you that.  Darling and Art.  Both are nice.  Okay, darling?

All my love,

June

(For Thursday – more apologies for moodiness.)

© 2011 Lee Price

June, the Wonderful Housewife

Fashion illustration by June Anderson.

Monday, April 24, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

I certainly hope you’re burning up my letters, or something similar.  They must sound awfully silly lately.

Shirl and I have cleaned up this place.  I vacuumed, dusted, and swept the chairs off.  I bet you didn’t know I would make such a wonderful housewife, did you?  Well, you’d probably be right!  I can’t cook either.  In fact, I’m practically helpless.  And I’m no raving beauty.  Oh, oh.  Why in the world DO you love me?  I’d better start acquiring some assets.

I loved talking to you today.  I felt much better afterward.  Shirl and I went to a movie – Key to the City with Clark Gable and Loretta Young.  We enjoyed it.  I hadn’t seen a movie with her in ages.

As you can tell, darling, I’m feeling quite good tonight.  It’s all because you were so understanding on the phone.  Hmmm!  If you were here I’d just wrap my arms around you and hug you so tight!  You’d have to struggle and fight to make me let go.  I love you so much.

I really can’t say much more.  All I can say is you are so sweet and wonderful you certainly deserve a nicer girl than a selfish creature like me.  But, darling, that doesn’t stop me from loving you one bit.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – Let me call you sweetheart.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Three-Part Letter

Sunday, April 23, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Fashion illustration by June Anderson.

Well here’s another letter from your problem child again.  I’m here all alone on a Friday night, but I feel so much better than I did when I wrote that last letter.  I’ve read, eaten, and even done a little homework.

Darling, I’ve been listening to the radio all night.  Why must all the songs be love songs, or ones that we listen to together?  I’d love to have you here beside me tonight but you’re in my thoughts anyway.

Shirl’s out with Ted.  Heaven knows when she’ll get in.

I hope I can come home next weekend.  Complications seem to be arising.  Room hunting, you know.

Dear Art,

It’s now about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.  You ought to be calling in about two hours, I suppose.

I had a lovely time over June’s and Betty’s apartment last night.  We played Canasta which I don’t like, and Bridge which I love.  They served some Southern fried

chicken which was delicious. 

June O’Neal’s from West Virginia, you know.  She cooked it.

Shirl and I room hunted yesterday and we didn’t see anything nice at all.  So we changed our minds again.  That means I’ll be home next weekend.  Will I be seeing you?

We’re going to the Bronx Zoo this afternoon which should be very nice.  Then Shirl’s going out this evening, which means another lonely night caged up in this room.

Well, that’s all for now.

- - - - -

Darling, this is after the telephone call from you.  I feel much better, sweetheart, I really do.  It’s just that sometimes I feel you don’t love me so much anymore and it frightens me.  I’m really sorry I’m so much worry to you.  But you fixed me up by talking to me.  We’re not going to the zoo.  It’s too bad out.  Maybe Shirl and I will go to the movies.  I love you, my darling – much too much.

Love,

June

(Tomorrow – June, the wonderful housewife.)

© 2011 Lee Price

June's Wild Mood Swings

Friday, April 21, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Pencil sketch by
June Anderson.

I think you had better tear this letter up without reading anymore of it.  I’m in a nasty mood tonight.  I don’t understand what’s the matter.  I’ve read your latest letter over and over again and even though it’s really a nice letter, I still feel miserable.  I think I’m homesick.

Before you go any further, I want to tell you right now that no matter what I say, I don’t want you to come in this weekend.  I realize that it’s too much of a trip to make just for a few hours for me.  And it wears you out.  Besides I don’t like you to travel by yourself.  So will you please ignore the rest now?  I just need to get something off my mind.

My friends are beginning to tease me.  “Loves light fading, etc.”  I know they’re just joking around and don’t mean it, but sometimes I begin to think – he used to come in to see me a lot, but now he hasn’t come in to see me since before Christmas.  It’s true – if I want to see you I have to come home.

Everybody I know here at school seems to be engaged or married.  I never saw anything like it.  And Shirl and Ted – well, I’ll tell you about her when I see you next week.  Shirl’s going out tomorrow night with Ted and will probably do the same all day Sunday.  I hope you will still want to see me next week after this awful letter because I do love you very much.  If I didn’t, I wouldn’t make myself such a pest to you.

Shirl and I don’t know if we’re going to move or not.  We keep changing our minds.  What an unstable life I lead.

Somehow writing you really has cheered me right up.  Maybe I’ll go out with Shirl.

- - - - -

I went out and had a sundae.  We talked.  Then I showered and washed my hair.  I can’t wait to see you again.  Mmmm.  I’m going to be a regular little wolfress the next time I see you.  Watch out!

There’s nothing like writing a little note to your boyfriend, is there?  I’ll try to behave myself, and be a good girl.  That is, as good as a bad girl can be.

All my love,

June

(For Sunday – a busy weekend.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price

Trying Out a TV

Thursday, April 20, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

I’ve been out watching television tonight but not in a bar.  One of my aunts is trying out a set for a week.  I don’t think they’re going to get one though.  It hasn’t been very successful.  We did see Stop the Music and then they had transmission trouble for an hour.  Of course, we can only get New Haven way out here on Long Island.

I went to art class tonight.  It’s been growing lately.  There were eight other students there tonight.  We’re still having the classes with the assistant.  Partida will come back next week.

I’ll call you Sunday about 12:30.  Remember me to everyone.  Take good care of yourself.  You know I’m so much in love with you, darling.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – June in a nasty mood.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Spring Fever

Wednesday, April 19, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

I’m in one of those very rare lazy moods.  Well, maybe not so rare…  I didn’t feel like doing anything but writing a letter to you today.  It was such a beautiful day today.  I’m getting spring fever in more ways than one and I miss you, darling.

We may move soon even though it will only be for a short while.  I’d like to get in a place where you can pay by the week.  If we stay here, I’ll go home at the end of May and stay till mid-June.  Then I’d move into another apartment.  So I can’t see paying at least $30 for this place when I won’t be living here.  So maybe we’ll go to a woman’s residence for that last month, or something like that.  Of course, it won’t be too nice if you decide to come

Illustrations by
June Anderson.

in, but it will only be for a month.

Did Carol and Jimmy have a good time with us this weekend?  I like them both.  I was wondering because you said that she talked to Bruno afterward.  I think they enjoyed themselves, didn’t they?  Poor Carol – going into work so early on Monday morning!  Did everyone but you sleep on the way back?

Jane’s sore throat is much worse.  She thinks she might have to have her tonsils out.  By the way, how’s your cold?  I don’t have a trace of one yet.  Aren’t you lucky to go out with such a healthy girl? (Ha!)

Nine more days till I see you, darling.  I’ll be thinking of you all the time.  Good night for now.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – transmission trouble.)

                                © 2011 Lee Price

Gosh I Miss You So Much

Wednesday, April 19, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

Boy and dog, charcoal sketch by Art Price.

Gosh I do miss you so much, my darling.  I’m certainly looking forward to your letter tomorrow.  You know how much I love you.

So much news from you!  I guess I’d better keep still about most of it.  Mary getting married, Jane’s crushes, etc.  I hope the four of you will be able to get a nice apartment.

I’m not too surprised you didn’t care too much for Mary.  I guess maybe Bruno is better off without her.  Actually I think they’re very much alike and that’s why they fought a lot.

I took the car to the garage today.  The clutch needed a little adjustment.  Then I went to the movies tonight and saw Three Came Home.  It was alright, but I don’t imagine you would have liked it.  I think you said you didn’t want to see it.  Then I dropped in and saw Joe and Bruno for a minute afterward but didn’t stay long.

I’m afraid I won’t see you this weekend but I’ll call you Sunday as usual.  I know I’ll see you the next weekend whether you come home or not.  Three weeks is too long without you.  Three days is too long, my darling.

It really feels like spring is here today.  I guess I’ll leave the blanket in my trunk from now on.

I love you very, very much, sweetheart.  You know that I do.

Lots of love,

Art

(Later today – spring fever.)

© 2011 Lee Price