Free My Dearest Naomi by Jerry, Tina Eicher Page B

time John went with her. That left me there alone except for the dog. Dad had been there this morning to do repairs and repaint the roof on their house. I don’t think he finished painting, but the roof doesn’t leak anymore, he said.
    This evening Dad went somewhere to look at two horses—workhorses I think, so he must have next spring’s work on his mind already. He isn’t back yet, and it’s 9:00. We had supper finished at 7:00. I washed the dishes and then walked down to Ada’s to play Ping-Pong with Lester and Don. It was fun.
    Thursday and Friday I have to work in Salem on my babysitting jobs, as usual. I hope those two days will go zooming fast, but I doubt it.
    Well, since I can’t find any more news to write I will sign off.
    I wish I could see you again right now,
    Naomi

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OCTOBER
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    October 4
My dearest Naomi ,
    This finds me back from the weekend with you. You looked a little shocked when I walked in, and I can understand why because you’d just received my letter telling you I was coming. It was very, very good to see you. You already know of course, since I told you in person, but still I will say it again and again.
    I am up in my room now, just home from school. I was longing to see you on the walk home—so much that it almost hurt.
    The weather is balmy, with a nice wind out of the south. There were no clouds in the skies except my memories of you.
    I’d better quit thinking about such things or I won’t be able to write any more. You made me feel so loved that it continually sends warm circles around my heart.
    Thank you.
    And I love you,
    Eugene

October 4
My dearest Eugene,
    Greetings of love!
    Thank you for a most enjoyable weekend. I can’t put into words what those two days with you meant to me. When you left Sunday evening, I went into the house, turned out the light, and ran to the entrance window to watch you go out the lane in your buggy. As your buggy lights disappeared down the road, tears rolled down my cheeks.
    This morning I heard someone blowing their horn as they went past on the road, and Mom hollered out, “There they go!” I quickly ran to the window and saw you before you were past Ada’s place. I hadn’t realized you’d be going past our place or I would’ve been looking for you.
    I feel so empty now, but still when I think of the wonderful time we had and the joy of being with you, it also makes me happy. I guess maybe it’s possible to be happy and sad at the same time.
    Mom and I fall cleaned the upstairs today. I washed and ironed afterward. Mom is determined to get everything we started done today, so she’s ironing now after supper at 7:30.
    I still feel threatened by the flu bug, but thankfully it stayed away over the weekend. I think there is a lot of truth to the saying that when you’re excited or happy, you’re not nearly as apt to be sick or to give in to it as when you are sad or depressed. Oh, groans. I know it’s coming now for sure.
Tuesday evening…
    I’m still feeling depressed, and I just thought, “If I ever get married to Eugene, I’ll be in heaven.” That “if I ever” sounds rather hopeless, but a wedding seems such a long way off. The longing for you is very intense right now. To see your smile would be so wonderful. Do you have any idea how handsome you look when you are happy and smiling?
    I still have this flu headache, but I went to work anyway. When I came home, I ate two apples with peanut butter. At least I still have my appetite. Peanut butter has some sugar in it, I think, so I felt a little chirped up.
Wednesday…
    This is Wednesday morning at 9:30. I had a bad night and don’t feelwell at all this morning. Last night at 11:00, I woke with an extremely bad headache. I thought my head would split. This morning it isn’t quite as bad. Mom said I shouldn’t go to work. I’m determined not to miss work though, so I’m planning on going. Maybe I’ll feel better by 1:00, when my ride arrives.
    Mom went to the