Dear Jack,<br/><br/>That sounds like such a wonderful dream, except for the end. Sometimes I wish we could go back to those days, before this horrible war, before all this fear and uncertainty. We were so innocent and didn't know there could be so much hatred, killing, and death in the world. I long for those times again.<br/><br/>My goodness I thought the mosquitoes here could be bad. Those sound awful! I'll ask your mother to send you some of her balm. I know it won't keep them away, but you know how good it is at stopping the itch.<br/><br/>Five miles every morning! I couldn't even begin to imagine doing that. You must be getting so strong, I fear I won't recognize you when you get back. Not that you weren't strong by any means before, that's not what I mean...but all that exercise! The girls you meet at the dances must really like you. Please be careful around them. I've heard stories of girls who chase men in the service so they can get married for the money. I wouldn't want to see you get hurt by some tricky girl who fooled you.<br/><br/>Spending time with your mother is no inconvenience at all! I really enjoy it. We talk and laugh while we sew, or we sing along with the radio. I've come to look forward to our visits and wait eagerly for Sundays to arrive. Of course I'm still working on the quilt! It is a bit slow going because I make a lot of mistakes, but I am becoming better each time we do more. A picnic under the willow tree sounds lovely. I love hiding underneath its branches with you, tucked away in our own little world. Remember all the places we would pretend it to be when we were kids? I think when we turned it into the Cave of Wonders from Arabian Nights was the best!<br/><br/>I don't know what I'll do when the war is over. I'll get married eventually, silly! I'm just way too young for it now. Though, being a teacher does sound like it would be nice. I do so like helping children learn. But I don't know if I could be away from my family for the schooling.<br/><br/>Ralph tried to ask me out on another date. This time he had the nerve to call and asked Papa! Luckily Papa asked me before he gave Ralph an answer and I was able to say no. I sincerely hope he leaves me alone from now on. There are plenty of other girls he can choose from. I don't know why he tried again with me, after what happened the first time.<br/><br/>Bitsy went to the end of year school dance with a boy from her class named Tom. He's quite a nice boy, and he's taken her to the movies a couple of times. But both Mama and Papa think she's to young to date, and they make her go with other friends. She's only 13, you know, so I hope this doesn't turn into more than what it is now. I do agree that she is too young.<br/><br/>Papa's mood is becoming more and more dour. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because he can't work for several days while they finish up turning Monarch into a bomb factory. Mama is forever wearing a cheerful face, and I try to, though sometimes when I think about what's going on in the world, and people being in so much danger, I can't help but become sad. Especially when I think about you, Jack. I do not like the idea of you being in harm's way.<br/><br/>You must send me a picture of you by your plane when you get assigned to one! I know you can't wait to fly, it's always been your dream. I need to sleep now. Mama and I are going to the market first thing in the morning. I'm hoping they have some oranges, I've wanted one all winter! I look forward to your next letter.<br/><br/>Always,<br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: lucida handwriting;">Evie</span><br/>