Chapter Nine

D ear Friday,

I received your last correspondence. Glad you are safe and well. I assume you will eventually make your way back to France.

I've moved to a new assignment. Note my new address below. Now that we are no longer needed near the front lines, there is much activity in the cities. My new accommodations are like a palace compared to my last post. We are greatly enjoying the indoor plumbing and—glory of all glories—a bathtub. The Y.W.C.A. volunteers have outdone themselves making us feel pampered and spoiled here. They even serve tea to those who are around in the afternoon. I happened to return just in time for the event yesterday. It was lovely and delicious.

By now, I hope you've heard from Harley John. If not, the scoop is that he and Sadie are planning to wed at Christmas, and will take a short leave in Paris. I'm so happy for them. They've waited so long to be together. From what Sadie shared, they have a bunch of hoops to jump through to get all the required paperwork necessary to wed, but Harley John is tackling that while he recuperates, and Sadie continues to work at the hospital. I've put in a request for leave to be able to attend their small ceremony. If that doesn't work out, I hope to at least be able to visit them in Paris.

Things have been busy here. It seems everyone is in a rush to speak with someone.

Have you heard from your family? I hope they are all doing well.

Mama sent a package the other day with some much-appreciated treats. Have you had chocolate drops? Gee, are they ever tasty! Her note was full of news of home. Apparently, the day of the Armistice signing, one of the warehouse owners in town invited everyone to a big bonfire. The fire department was on the job to make sure nothing got out of hand, and Dad and Uncle Kade were patrolling to keep the crowds from getting too wild. My little brother, Alek, decided it would be great fun to paint his face with a razzle-dazzle pattern and run, whooping like a banshee, into the crowd. Apparently, two women fainted. Marvin Tooley thought he was having a fit of apoplexy. Cousin Nik had to assure him he wasn't dying. A group of men threatened to tar and feather Alek before Dad took matters in hand and sent him to Aunt Caterina's place to wash up. Knowing Dad, he was probably laughing inwardly the whole time he lectured Alek about acting like a lunkhead.

The other good news Mama shared is that my brother Noah is finally on the mend. You probably remember him from your time together at Camp Lewis. He was so deathly ill for such a long time, but he is finally regaining his strength. Such a blessing!

I've been searching for my birth mother's family. She was born here in France. Her parents moved to America when she was three. I kept some of the letters she'd received over the years. Until I came over here, I'd even forgotten I had them. Mama sent me all the details, so I've written a few letters and am waiting to hear back. I hope before I leave France to find the woman I think was my mother's aunt. Wouldn't that be something!

I need to go, but I hope this finds you warm and well and safe. Know I am thinking of you and looking forward to seeing you again.

All my best,

Molly

Dearest Molly,

Your last few letters finally caught up to me. For a while, we were heading toward Germany, but we're marching the other direction these days and that is fine by me. It's been cold and snowing. We've been doing drills to keep busy and had a battalion parade a few days ago that put the pep in our steps.

We've sure met some fine people here in Belgium. So friendly and kind, and so grateful to us for our help. They really are so gracious and full of warm hospitality. We are thankful for them in our journeys.

I have no idea if permission will be granted or if I can manage it, but if at all possible, I'd very much like to catch up with you in Paris.

Harley John did write and it was good to hear from him. I let him know he had us plenty worried, and if he ever disappears on us like that again, he's going to have irate people ready to take a swing at him. It sounds like he is recovering well from his wounds, but he should with Sadie's personal care and devoted attention. Like you said, I am so happy for them to finally be together, even temporarily. I doubt our division's departure and hers (or yours, for that matter) will all line up, but at least we know how to find each other on the other side of the ocean. If I can get the leave for Paris, I will try to be at their wedding.

I don't think I ever answered your earlier questions.

I don't have a favorite flower. They are all so purty!

Favorite song. I'll have to think about that one a bit.

Favorite food would be most anything that tasted like home. I got to experience some of the good eats your family make on the way to New York in June. I've never had such tasty ice cream! I do enjoy walnuts and hazelnuts in baked goods, probably because Ma adds them to lots of things. I do enjoy sweets but might be just as apt to have a second helping of meat as cake.

As to my plans for after the war, I always thought I'd stay on the farm and help Pa, but I have brothers-in-law who already do that, and as much as I love eating nuts, I wouldn't say my life's calling is to raise them. I'm not one hundred percent sure what I'd like to do if I could do anything. Farm, for sure, but I've been leaning toward exploring my options instead of only raising nuts. I think wherever I live, I'll always want to have a few nut trees because I'm so used to eating them. I'll have to get you some of our hazelnuts. Ma toasts them, and they are so good. I like them best sprinkled with a little salt on them, but my favorite sister likes them drizzled with honey.

Hard to think of next week being Thanksgiving. Ma always cooks up a big feast and my older sisters jump right in to help. I'll sure miss the pumpkin pies and the piles of mashed potatoes smothered in gravy. My sister January was in charge of raising the turkey this year, but it has become a pet, so they might be dining on chicken instead. I'm sure your family puts on quite a feed too.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, Molly girl, and hoping your new assignment continues to go well.

Enjoy those afternoon teas when you can and all that glorious hot water and indoor plumbing.

Faithfully yours,

Friday

Dear Friday,

Oh, it would be the grandest thing if you could be in Paris. Harley John would be so pleased if you could be there for the wedding, and you would get to meet Sadie. As for myself, I wouldn't mind clapping my opticals on you again. The day we met seems like a lifetime ago since so much has happened between then and now.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving day with a bountiful table. The blessings of all we have been given have hit me squarely in the heart. God has been so good, and I am so thankful.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, soldier boy.

Affectionately,

Molly

Dear Molly,

Would you be horrendously offended if I decided to call you Mame? I've been thinking about that name for a while for you. I guess it might seem silly, but I always think of you not just as Molly but also magnificent, astounding, marvelous, and exceptional. See? Mame.

If you prefer I never mention that again, just tell me.

How are you? Is life good there? It sounds like things will be hitting high gear when the officials take up residence in France.

We've been in the same place for a while. Our Thanksgiving Day arrived with a feast none of us expected but greatly appreciated. Didn't even do drills that day, which was nice. We had inspections yesterday and are all tasked with cleaning ourselves, our clothes, and our equipment before tomorrow. Likely, we are heading out again, which suits us all just fine.

Thinking of you and wishing I were there.

Your devoted doughboy,

Friday

Dear Friday,

It seems only fair to me to give you a nickname since you've dubbed me Mame (which suits me just fine). Perhaps I could call you Tuesday? Weekend? Tomorrow? Yesterday? Or maybe plain ol' George. Did you know Sadie used to call Harley John "Just John" to antagonize him?

I never asked if you have a middle name. Do you? Mine is Antoinette.

I'm quite excited! I had a letter from the woman I thought might be my mother's aunt, and she is! In fact, she isn't far from Paris. My leave has been approved, so I intend to visit her then. I won't be able to attend Harley John and Sadie's wedding, but at least I'll get to see them in Paris. I can't wait. I believe the only thing I'll ask Santa to bring me this year is a visit from a certain handsome doughboy named after my favorite day of the week.

So glad you had a nice Thanksgiving. Hoping you are safe and warm and well fed. Aunt Aundy just sent me a tin full of her special butter cookies. I'll save a few in hopes I can share them with you soon.

With love,

Mame

My Darling Mame,

We recently underwent an intense cootie extraction. Even had our gas masks sterilized in a place built by the Germans. Quite a process, but so good to be free of those freeloaders.

That's probably information you didn't want or need to know. Sorry!

After hiking more than fifteen miles, we are waiting to catch a train ride the rest of the way. We walked through part of No Man's Land today. What was once a large town is nothing more than rubble. There isn't a single tree standing. No vegetation of any kind. In some places, you couldn't find a square foot of earth that hasn't been churned up by artillery fire. The devastation to this beautiful country is heartbreaking.

Still no word on my leave, so please don't get your hopes up. If I could make a magic wish, I'd definitely have ol' Saint Nick drop me off in Paris with you, Harley John, and Sadie.

In case my letters don't reach you before the holiday, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Molly girl. Celebrate being alive and well, and the wonderful spirit of this season that seems to hold such a special meaning this year.

Merry Christmas, sweetheart.

With love and holiday cheer,

Friday

Dear Friday,

Other than my acute disappointment about not getting to see you over the holiday, our Christmas was lovely.

I wasn't able to make it to the wedding on Christmas Eve, but I joined Harley John and Sadie for a wonderful Christmas breakfast at a hotel here in Paris. The food and company were both excellent.

The AEF honored the Signal Corps girls with quite a feast as well as gifts, and presented each of us with the most glorious memento booklet filled with letters and photographs from officers expressing their appreciation for our service. Their words of praise, encouragement, and kindness meant the world to me.

Despite it being their honeymoon, Harley John and Sadie included me in some of their activities around Paris. We saw the Eiffel Tower, visited a few of the old churches, and rode the Metro to see the sights.

They both accompanied me to meet Delphine Laurent. Turns out she is my great-aunt. I knew I looked like my mother from a photo I have of her and my father, but it was quite a different thing entirely when Aunt Delphine opened the door. It was like looking into a mirror that had aged me considerably!

Oh, I love her so much, Friday. She's witty and funny, and it seems the past four years of hardship have not dampened her zest for life in the least. She has lost her sons and all but her youngest grandson, who was too young to fight at only twelve. I did meet him, and he is a bright, polite boy. His mother looked haunted by the war, but then I suppose that is true of so many.

We were served bread, cheese, delicious pears from the orchard on my aunt's land, and milk. It made me think of the old woman who found you silly for wanting milk when you helped with her hay.

Aunt Delphine offered us wine, and we declined, but that milk sure hit the spot, let me tell you. I thought Harley John might ask to milk the cow and drink a whole bucket of it, but he behaved quite admirably.

We took Auntie a box of chocolates, a pound of sugar, and one of white flour Sadie had procured, and a beautiful scarf we found on one of our excursions.

Sadie let me borrow a dress while we visited my aunt. Oh, but it was wonderful to wear something that wasn't Army regulation.

The only thing that could have made my time in Paris any better would have been you. I understand, though. I do hope we'll be able to see each other again soon, but I know it may not be possible. If that is the case, Pendleton isn't so far from Dundee. Harley John assures me it's only a few hours by train.

I'm just so grateful I met you, Friday. You are, as some of the boys would say, the limit!

Be well and safe. Know that I'm thinking of you, and holding you in my heart and prayers.

Sending greetings for the new year. May 1919 be far better than the year we leave behind.

Happy New Year!

Mame

Dear Mame,

How are things there? Are you on the move again or locked in place for a while?

All is fine here. We have a warm, dry place to sleep and warm, filling food to eat.

To pass the time, we drill and shoot targets. We march some just to stay in shape. We've also "adopted" six war orphans. Basically, we each contributed a little money to help them out, and the kiddies write us letters. We're taking turns replying to them. The littlest tot, who is two, drew a picture I received just yesterday. I'm not sure what the blobs are supposed to be, but it makes me smile. I'll treasure that drawing for a good long while …

Dear Friday,

It made me so happy to hear about you boys showing kindness to the orphans. There are so many of them. I'm so happy Sadie was able to rescue little Faustin and take him to Julienne and Claude. We have unofficially adopted a tiny scamp we are sure is a girl, but the dirty little thing won't hold still long enough for us to prove the point one way or the other. We share our food and have given her a blanket, although she refuses to take a bath.

My evenings and Sundays are now free. I've been visiting the hospital here when I can. I guess I feel like I'm doing a little part to help our fine soldiers who have been so brutally wounded know they are not forgotten. They seem to enjoy being read to. Following my sister's example, I often read from the letters Mama and Dad send, sharing humorous news from home.

We've gone to two moving picture shows. It was a nice diversion from work. I've also so enjoyed attending church services again.

How I long to see you. Just to talk in person as we have through letters these past months. I am ever so glad you took the initiative to write. Your letters brighten my days, and I look forward to receiving each one …

Dear Mame,

Your letters are the sunshine in these cloudy days.

We've had a bit of snow and bitter cold, so it's good we are in a warm place. Still drill often. Company has been reviewed a few times. Have had us start participating in what you'd call athletics. Word is, the Y.M.C.A. is planning an Olympic-like event for summer and building a pavilion near Paris to host it. Guess I better get on the fitness routine in double time.

They've taken several photos of our company, the officers, and even individual photos of each of us. We may be moving soon, closer to a port, and that much closer to home. If I can make it work at all, I'll do my best to see you before I go.

Harley John wrote that he'll be rejoining us soon. Know it will be hard for him to be away from Sadie, but I'm looking forward to having his company again …

Dear Mame,

Nature has begun to smile upon us, putting on quite a welcome show. Poppies are starting to pop up, and the golden- throated larks are singing a snappy tune. The sun is warm and bright and so very welcome.

I've put in for leave to come see you. Date of departure established. Send a wire or telephone with instructions of where and when to meet …