RETURN TO SENDER

RETURNED TO SENDER

Not deliverable

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Patti called out to her mother. “Mom” mom! You need to look at this!”

Ellie added the detergent to the washer, closed the lid, set the dial to ‘wash”, then left the laundry room. “What’s all the shouting about? Patti, is everything alright?”

She looked at her mother and held out her hand which held six old envelopes – really old envelopes.

“Mom, these were in the mailbox with our other mail.” She handed the envelopes to her mother.

Ellie walked to the couch and sat. She perused the envelopes and commented, “Patti, none of these were ever delivered. There’s a note on each one saying, “undeliverable – return to sender”. “I hate to open these but there’s only a return address, no name. I’ll have to see who wrote them, then try and find the owner.”

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

May 22, 1944

Oh, my darling, Walter.

There aren’t enough words to say how wonderful it was to see you and be in your arms once again. Although our time together was short, just having us sit at the same table as husband and wife meant more to me than words could ever express.

I understand your shipmates need you but, please know, that each night before I close my eyes to dream of your beautiful face, I kiss your picture and my wedding ring.

As I end this letter, I pray you’ll stay safe, and you’ll be home soon.

All my love,

Your wife,

Jenny

^ ^

August 19, 1944

My darling, Walter,

While I await a letter from you, I’ve some good and exciting news. Oh, my darling, we’re pregnant. The doctor says the baby is due sometime in late February or early March. Well, that really depends on the baby. The doctor says that their timeline is their own but I’m already bursting with love and happiness.

I understand you’re somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and can’t be here to help me create a small nursery from the spare room. I’m thinking of just painting it in various hues of soft yellow. Not knowing if we’ll have a son or daughter, yellow is a safe and happy color.

Oh, my darling, what a wonderful time we’ll have once you come back to US…. That’s a thrill in itself, just saying “us” not “me”.

With all OUR love,

Jenny and your baby.

^ ^

December 25, 1944

My darling Walter,

Merry Christmas, my love.

My heart aches to hear from you. Yes, I understood and still do, that mail from a ship in the middle of a war would be extremely slow but I long to hear something, anything.

Our baby is getting very fidgety. Baby kicks and wriggles what feels like hourly, and Baby doesn’t enjoy when mama rests.

Your mom and dad insisted on gifting Baby with the first crib. Oh, my love, it’s perfect and your parents spared no expense in its design. My parents purchased other necessary items: clothes, blankets, bottles, rattles, and the list goes on and on. I swear, my love, between your parents and mine, Baby won’t need a thing from us. I would have said except love, but our parents are even taking care of that.

While my belly keeps growing, my mother has teased me saying that I no longer walk, I waddle. I’m sure you’d laugh watching me walk around the neighborhood. It’s really quite comical.

Baby is sapping my energy more and more each day. Although it’s only nine at night, I feel exhausted. I’ll end this letter now praying you’re safe and that I’ll hear from you soon.

Yours forever with love,

Jenny and Baby

^ ^

February 28, 1945

Congratulations, Daddy!

Your son looks just like you. His hair is black, and his eyes are soft brown. He’s only three days old but already shows that one remarkable dimple in his left cheek.

Oh, my sweet, I pray you don’t mind but the hospital asked me what his name would be. There had been so many names running though my mind but at the last minute, I decided to use your names. While you are Walter Francis, I called our son Francis Walter. I hope this suits you. Our son is such a joy to have, and I can hardly wait for you to meet him.

I am so blessed. There are two wonderful men in my life now and one is fussing to be fed.

Enthusiastically waiting to hear from you.

All our love,

Jenny and Francis

^ ^

December 25, 1945

Merry Christmas, my darling Walter,

I know the war has been keeping you busy, but I honestly thought I’d have heard from you by now. My heart breaks a bit more with each mail delivery when there is nothing from you.

Please, my love, just send me one quick note saying you’re alright.

Missing you desperately,

Love always,

Jen and Francis

^ ^

February 25, 1945

My love,

The time here in New York is six in the morning. When our son awakens, we’ll celebrate his first birthday. Our parents have organized a small party for him. How I wish you were here to celebrate with us.

Francis has started saying “dada” and I haven’t yet found the words to explain to him where you are when I can’t explain it to myself. It wouldn’t matter at this point what I might try to say to him. He’d never understand the concept of war and why his daddy isn’t around. Oh, hell, my love, I don’t understand the concept of war and why you’re not around.

I know this letter is short, but I’d like to get some laundry washed before he gets up for the day. His daily naps are getting fewer and shorter.

Please write.

Love you always,

Jen and Francis

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~

Ellie sat with tears in her eyes. Patti asked why she was crying.

“Jenny was my best friend’s mother. She died of cancer two years ago. Her husband Walter was killed in the war.”

“Mom, we need to find Francis.”

Ellie stifled a sob. “Yes, Patti. We’ll find him.”