The O'Reilly Letters, Part Four
Feb. 5th, 2017 02:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
barefoot_bardTitle: The O'Reilly Letters
Rating: K (Suitable for ages 13 and above)
Disclaimers: With the exception of Malachi Reddington and Cornelius Noonan, all names given are fictional. The mentioned characters Tony Carpullo, Bill Meinertzhagen, and Captain McCawley were RP characters belonging to others. All other named characters are mine.
Summary: The incomplete collection of letters exchanged between a US soldier and his friends and family. 4/23
Author's Note: These letters were originally posted as supporting extras on a WWII RP. They were fun to write and I might add one or two more in future.
8th October 1942
Boston
No. 5
Darling Joe,
I don't know where to send this since you'll be somewhere at sea now but Harry Turner the postman has said not to worry about it, the Army will make sure mail will get to you. When you get to land again please write with an address?
Anyway. I like working at the Grove all right. It's busy a lot but you know how popular it is there. Beth Harper from upstairs has got a job there too so we come and go together. She's settled down some now she's had her baby, bless her heart. It hasn't been easy for her since George ran off on her. I don't think she'll ever be quite the same but she's getting on with things and that's what counts.
Mikey was over the moon when he got your letter. He's made us read it at least three times each and he keeps it in his pocket. Last week we went down to the firehouse to see the boys and he asked Malachi to tell him about Saint Patrick, and we ended up being there for supper. The lads didn't mind but they've been good to us since you and Danny joined. Susan and I asked some of them round in a few days to help fix the wall in the front room. It's been sagging again.
Your ma has been taking it easy, thank God. I think age is finally catching her up. Doctor Healy says that happens a lot. Eventually the body just decides it's tired and that's it. She still helps as best she can but a lot of her time is spent in the front room with Mikey when he isn't at school. Those two get along famously. He's taken it on himself to be her errand boy too. We let him get on with that, within reason. It does no harm to let him feel needed, after all.
We had a letter in from James a few days ago. His hands got burned up badly so somebody wrote for him but he's well on the mend and hopes they'll send him home soon. Your ma was pleased and distressed but I think having him home again will be good for her. Him too of course but she has been fretting so much lately that I worry for her heart. To distract her, Susan is taking her out for a walk. I pray it does some good.
They've gone out now so I can write this in safety. Yesterday a telegram from the Navy arrived. I was the only one in at the time, thank God, because it was anything but good news. Francis's ship is in the Pacific supporting the Marines. He's been reported as missing in action. Nothing else has come for news and of course I haven't told your ma. I fear the shock might be too much for her. Please make no mention of this if you write her. I must find a way to tell her that won't risk her health but dear God, Joe, is that even possible? All I can do is pray and hope for an answer.
We have heard nothing about Patrick. I'm not sure if that's good or not. This truly is a fearful time we live in. Look after yourself, my love, and please don't be too brave.
All my love,
Kathleen
Rating: K (Suitable for ages 13 and above)
Disclaimers: With the exception of Malachi Reddington and Cornelius Noonan, all names given are fictional. The mentioned characters Tony Carpullo, Bill Meinertzhagen, and Captain McCawley were RP characters belonging to others. All other named characters are mine.
Summary: The incomplete collection of letters exchanged between a US soldier and his friends and family. 4/23
Author's Note: These letters were originally posted as supporting extras on a WWII RP. They were fun to write and I might add one or two more in future.
8th October 1942
Boston
No. 5
Darling Joe,
I don't know where to send this since you'll be somewhere at sea now but Harry Turner the postman has said not to worry about it, the Army will make sure mail will get to you. When you get to land again please write with an address?
Anyway. I like working at the Grove all right. It's busy a lot but you know how popular it is there. Beth Harper from upstairs has got a job there too so we come and go together. She's settled down some now she's had her baby, bless her heart. It hasn't been easy for her since George ran off on her. I don't think she'll ever be quite the same but she's getting on with things and that's what counts.
Mikey was over the moon when he got your letter. He's made us read it at least three times each and he keeps it in his pocket. Last week we went down to the firehouse to see the boys and he asked Malachi to tell him about Saint Patrick, and we ended up being there for supper. The lads didn't mind but they've been good to us since you and Danny joined. Susan and I asked some of them round in a few days to help fix the wall in the front room. It's been sagging again.
Your ma has been taking it easy, thank God. I think age is finally catching her up. Doctor Healy says that happens a lot. Eventually the body just decides it's tired and that's it. She still helps as best she can but a lot of her time is spent in the front room with Mikey when he isn't at school. Those two get along famously. He's taken it on himself to be her errand boy too. We let him get on with that, within reason. It does no harm to let him feel needed, after all.
We had a letter in from James a few days ago. His hands got burned up badly so somebody wrote for him but he's well on the mend and hopes they'll send him home soon. Your ma was pleased and distressed but I think having him home again will be good for her. Him too of course but she has been fretting so much lately that I worry for her heart. To distract her, Susan is taking her out for a walk. I pray it does some good.
They've gone out now so I can write this in safety. Yesterday a telegram from the Navy arrived. I was the only one in at the time, thank God, because it was anything but good news. Francis's ship is in the Pacific supporting the Marines. He's been reported as missing in action. Nothing else has come for news and of course I haven't told your ma. I fear the shock might be too much for her. Please make no mention of this if you write her. I must find a way to tell her that won't risk her health but dear God, Joe, is that even possible? All I can do is pray and hope for an answer.
We have heard nothing about Patrick. I'm not sure if that's good or not. This truly is a fearful time we live in. Look after yourself, my love, and please don't be too brave.
All my love,
Kathleen