I'm sharing another letter from my grandmother Helen's old boyfriend, Charlie for Week 7 of 2025's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.
Thursday Evening
February 16, 1939
Dearest Helen-
Just a few words of love to a real true sweetheart. Went to Gorham this afternoon to pay the tax on my car. It was about three o’clock when I left and I didn’t get home until 5:45. Gee, it was so cold I couldn’t find courage enough to strut out tonight.
Be square with me Helen, have I smiled before at no-one? How about the day I gave you the candy, the day I told you how good the oranges tasted because you peeled them. How good you were to do it. Days when Earl and Brown came over to kid us along and have a little fun? Yes some days I am different but it's not all because of you. Please didn’t you say it's always trouble?
It wasn’t that I didn’t want you to write the other afternoon, but wished you had thought of it yourself. I don’t like to suggest what you could do or that you had ought to do this or that. You’ll think I’m finding fault all the time. You do not mean to, but many times you overlook things or just let them slip by until the next time. You couldn’t see any harm in talking to Connie even when I told you but – well forget that I know he hasn’t a chance with me. I know I come first even if it did look wrong.
I’m not sorry I came down the other night. I love to hold you in my arms, but I can’t do it across the table. It seemed good to hold your hand and be near you even if I did want to kiss you more but couldn’t. I love to hear your whispers – I love you – kiss me – my darling-- and then have you look at me with those longing eyes.
Yes, you do fly up dear. Lately you have been quite quick. You never used to before. I suppose it does seem different when I have been coming down every night. I came the other night to show you I really cared and if you long for me every night and think I’m loving you less, I can come every night now. I never thought of it before, but many fellows would walk a longer distance than that to see one as nice as you. You said others were so good to you. What fellows did you mean? Maybe you’re thinking you would like them better or they would love you more.
Darling you thought of the plan so how about you thinking of the answer? You're too much of a sweetheart to suffer over me, please don’t cry darling. I’ll see you to-morrow night dear. Oh! if I could “kiss” you right now your lips – I’m longing for a kiss.
I’ve got to go to bed. I have read your letter so many times it’s after midnight, yes 5 min pass. I’m looking at that Xmas present; it so nice sweetheart. Yes -- -- -- H-I-L to C-D-K 12-25-38 -- -- I can’t hold back. Please excuse me dear, I’ve got to get to bed. If the sandman would call and ask me for a dream I’d send you the sweetest dream you ever had. I’ll wish you one and say good night my love.
May our boats drift away in the ocean of love.
Yours in Loveland
Dream darling, Dream sweet Dreams.
See you tomorrow night
Charlie
[Letter from Charles David Knight to Helen Irene Ladd, transcribed by Julie Turner Holmansky on 31 July 2024]
Comments