Letters: August 3, 1951

    Your letter (singular) arrived today with much fanfare and sounding of trumpets. Mine. I have, and am waiting, with a great deal of eagerness for your letters (this letter is not a soldier’s sob letter from Korea but a definite statement) and it’s hard to understand--in one respect. I like you Barbara. I like you very much and, as you have said, our few dates in San Fran did not present a solid basis on which to base anything--which I am trying to do as you no doubt have gathered from the tone of my letters. Your restraint has been admirable and I’m not trying to get you to commit yourself in any way--I’m just stating a statement (that’s a phrase) and seems to be going the long way around. Also I’m not reaching…
    Every so often I feel like writing a letter of this sort. Probably it sounds dramatized or theatrical, I guess it’s pretty hard to keep away--in a way--from making it sound so. I’m not morbid, at the present, nor am I feeling sorry for myself, just writing a letter to you, and I like you--I guess I’ve said that.
    Anyway, I look forward to your letters and trying to understand--completely--the reason sort of baffles me. I look forward to Mom’s letters but not with the anticipation of what I may find as I do in yours. Naturally it would be a different feeling--I know that. But the overall reason is what I’m trying to get across. (In or with the possibility of you being sort of fogged up at this point, I suggest a scotch and soda and start from the beginning) Anyway, I look for your letters and the feeling is [word unintelligible] but nice. So there.
    Incidentally your letters, lately, have been postmarked from Fullerton. I’d make a wonderful detective but you’d be surprised how much I read or how many times I read a letter. Just a peculiarity of mine.
    Say, you certainly have a prolific family. I like a lot of children and I think your sister is very lucky to have five--if they can afford them. I’d like nine but I lean towards baseball. Maybe a basketball team would be more logical.
    I’ve rambled on enough for one evening. Yes, I’m as tan as I look and yes I do have that lock of nice red hair and yes I--well--that’s all. Say hello to the next drinking man you meet. He and I have something in common--and please write often.