28/5/53

Dear Ila,

My goodness but you really wound up when you get started on a letter. I’m 3 days late and already yet I’ve forgotten you. How can you assume such a thing? I get much pleasure out of writing to you + also hearing from you and there you go already. Whoa, young lady, slow down. I’m still here and faithfully trying right down to the last nickel. Why, I’m highly complimented to think that you’d really like to have me in your community. And even go as far as dreaming about it in your sleep. Like I say, though, Michigan is a long distance from Mass. + I can’t guarantee anything, but you’re making me fatheaded with all this. If I do get out that way, it’ll be a pleasure to see you, provided you aren’t married by then. They tell me that this marriage business pops up rather quickly, but I’m afraid I’m not available for quotes. So far I’ve been highly successful at being evasive and hope to continue thusly for a good time yet. I’m going to have a good time while I’m young, before anybody throws a strangle-chain around me. Say, you keep mentioning this young lad that dumped you rather hard. But he certainly must be gone, so where are all the boy friends? You certainly can’t tell me a little doll like you doesn’t have a flock of young swains howling around the front door. I know doggone well if I lived in that town where I’d get me a young lady quick. I won’t mention any names but her initials are Ila Jean Thiel. Possibly you’ve become such a hardened veteran in amour that the boys are scared of you, is that right? All I know is that the face doesn’t show it. You’d better write, Cheerfully, With Love, Frank