Bitch of a Day

 

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Thursday 7 December 1944, 7:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well, here I be again.  The movie last night "Are Husbands Necessary" was good but old.  So old that though we both had seen it I couldn't remember a thing about it.  It starred Betty Fields and Ray Milland and was about the dumb but cute young wife and her husband, a bank second vice president and the troubles the wife got the worse half into.

          Today the mail brought that crossword puzzle book and some literature from the medical department.  I haven't done a puzzle in months but I know it'll be fun.

          This has been a bitch of a day.  Saw eleven patients.  Four from one ship, two from another and one from a third.  The remaining four were ship's company.  When I got through I had done eleven fillings, two extractions, two prophys and three treatments.  I finished at 3:00 PM and then censored some mail.  Then I played checkers from four till five at which time I showered, shaved and changed for dinner.  You know I'm mess treasurer and I've got it figured now so that our food bill should only run about fifty cents a day.  Nobody believes me but they will when they see the statement at the end of the month.  I can't explain how I'm doing this without divulging censorable facts.

          After dinner we stood around on the bridge and talked for almost an hour.  I remarked this evening that the heat didn't seem to worry me anymore and we all decided we were just getting acclimated.  Still sick bay is full with "cat fever," several pneumonias and many ambulatory heat rash patients.  So far no complaints from me.  Thank goodness.

          Darling do you remember how I got sick before taking my physical and doped myself up to pass without having to go back?  Well, I'm disgustingly healthy even out here and believe me some of the young bucks are always complaining about something.

          Good night Darling.  I don't know what the movie is, but I'm going anyway.  I love you, I love you, I do. Kisses and hugs galore to my two Darlings and my Sweet.

 

Love,

Gil

Thirty Officers and Crew In Sick Bay

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Tuesday 21 November 1944, 9:20 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello honey, how is my sweetheart today? The mail service out here is lousy.  I haven't had any mail now since last Friday.  Here is hoping I get some this afternoon.

          Things were sure booming in sick bay yesterday.  We never did find out what it was but about thirty of our officers and crew turned in with nausea and diarrhea.  However after vomiting several times they got rid of whatever was causing their discomfort and this morning all is quiet and peaceful.

          We had a very good movie last night, "Summer Storm" with George Saunders and Linda Darnell.  See it if you can.

          I took out two impactions this morning.  One was rather simple but the other was a bear.  It was buried deep in the jaw bone and I had to split it into two pieces (the tooth not the jaw) to remove it.  I had expected several patients from another ship this morning but they didn't show up.  Hence I have time to write in the middle of the morning.

          Our library is in a hell of a mess once more.  It is open for only one hour a day and by the time the men get through browsing you couldn't tell where "a" ends and "z" begins.

 

12:45 PM

          Excuse the interruption; I've been busy with patients from 9:30 until 11:30 and then chow.  Now we'll continue our visit.  About the library--I spent a couple of hours there last night getting everything straightened out.  And then I noticed my watch had stopped.  I don't know what's wrong so I'll take it over to another ship where there is a watchmaker and try to get it fixed.  In the meantime I have my Bulova to fall back on.

          Mail came aboard this morning so I'm hoping there'll be something for me.  Am I perspiring!  I have a towel right handy and use it after almost each sentence. 

          Darling do you remember how tight I got at your graduation party?  That seems so long ago.  Actually it is only twelve years.  Guess a lot has happened since then.  Well dear, after the war we'll be together again and forever.

           So long honey with "lotions of love" (a la Winchell) I am your loving correspondent.

Gil

           

 

Fried Shrimp and Chocolate Cream Pie for Lunch

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Tuesday 3 October 1944, 10:30 PM

My Darling,

          How is everything today?  I didn't receive any letters today but I did get those photos of you.  I still can't make my mind up as to which one I like the best.  First I like one and then there is something I like in the other.  I'll play favorites, one day one and the next the other.

          This has been a routine day.  A little dentistry, a number of routine reports and the regular duties to perform.  Been trying to cut down on my food intake but at every meal there is something else I like.  For example for lunch today fried shrimp and for dessert chocolate cream pie. So it goes.  We had a swell movie tonight, "Mr. Skeffington" and it was every bit as good as you said it was.  After the picture I looked in at sick bay.  One of the officers turned in with a broken finger that he got playing golf.  It seems he didn't get out of the way of a ball.

          Well Sweet, are you still teaching or did you have to drop it because of no one to stay with our girls?  I do hope that the incident didn't upset you too much and that you'll proceed to forget all about it.  I'm certain that from your letter you were not happy with that woman or the arrangement and that a change was inevitable.  As far as Mary is concerned I would proceed to forget it. She is just another woman with some idle gossip.  She is still a friend of yours. I sincerely believe that

          Is Linda's behavior improving any?  I'm sure that as soon as you settle down she will too. Please Honey don't fly off the handle and yell at her.  She is a good child and such action just upsets you more and makes her more ornery.

          How is Norma taking all of this?  The poor darling is probably a little young to fathom it all and must be quite bewildered.

          Please, sweetheart, write me and assure me that everything is under control. I won't be hearing regularly from you nor you from me for many more days. It will be weeks and maybe a couple of months before you hear again.  So while I still can hear regularly, I must know that all is well and under control.  It is past eleven and I 'm going to turn in.  I won't send this letter off until I've seen the morning mail tomorrow.  Good night my Sweet and pleasant drams.  I love you.

Your,

 Gil

 

Wednesday 4 October 1944, 9:00 AM

          Good morning, honey.  Now that the morning mail is here and I know that you've gotten over you last aggravation  I feel much better.  What you went through really upset me.

          I'll try and answer your question and then I must get this letter off.  I don't know how long I'll be out.  I might be for a whole year and then again it could only be 3-4 months.  We'll just hope for the best.  Miss Rike is just what you think she is and would be very pleased to hear from you.  She is quite nice as is her mother and they have made Ambie and me feel quite at home each time that we've dropped in.

          Sounds like you have the house looking very nice.  Wish I could be there to push the piano and sofa around for you but I'll just postpone that to a later date.

          I do wish you would try to get out Sweet.  You must do it if you expect to have friends.  No one is going to come looking for you and drag you out.

          Darling do you remember how I'd come home from the office and want us to go out every night right after dinner?  Well dear, after the war just to be home with you will be all I'll want.  I close dear with oodles of hugs and twice as many kisses.

Love,

Gil