“I bet you’re waiting for a letter from your dad. Sorry to say, nothing from the Front today. But you did get this.” He held out a letter. “It’s addressed especially to you. All the way from Clinton, Tennessee.”

Mary’s heart rate accelerated. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Say hello to your mom for me.”

“I will.” Mary went back inside and made a beeline for her bedroom.

“Anything for me?”

“No, Mother.”

“Where are you going?”

Mary ignored the question. She locked herself in her bedroom, slit the envelope open, and sat on the bed to read. She regretted, not for the first time, that she had decided to correspond via letter with Louise. It had taken her forever to craft her letter, and now it would take her twice that long to read and comprehend Louise’s return reply.

My dearest cousin,

It was so wonderful to hear from you. You’re right, writing letters back and forth is a poor substitute for spending time together as we used to do when we were children and lived next door to each other. It has been ages since we’ve seen each other.

I knew you weren’t wild about working at Meyer’s after graduation, but I had no idea you were miserable enough that you’d consider moving so far away from home. I have to say, it gave me quite a thrill to think about you being so close again.

In answer to your specific question regarding work in these parts, have I got news for you! I recently got a job not far from here doing secretarial work. I’m told that what we’re doing will help us win the war, although everything else about what we’re doing is very hush-hush. The pay is better than I could’ve imagined, and the place is like nothing I could describe. The best part is they’re hiring girls just like you by the dozen, and not only for secretarial work, either. How soon can you get here?

I can put you up at my rooming house for a few days while you apply, but you’d be best off telling them at the interview that you’re not local. I have to take a bus to work because I live too close to get on-site housing. But if you get a job, and they know you’re from out of town, they’ll give you a place to live for a song. They’re not the best accommodations, but they’ll do. And the social life is out of this world. They have movie theaters, bowling alleys, recreation halls for dancing, and lots to do when you’re not working.

Anyway, all you have to do is get here, and I’ll help you with the rest. I’m sure you’ll get hired and start right away. They need lots of workers, and fast.