She found it a bit like writing in a diary, save for the kinds of intimacies one would keep for their own eyes. William might have been flesh and blood, but he was thousands of miles away and really only took shape in the curves and strokes of the ink with which he wrote. John had asked her to send a picture so he could show the boys what his sister looked like, and she’d included one in a recent box. Though she didn’t reveal that she’d had one specially done rather than find one that was already lying around. Gladys had done her hair and makeup for it. Restrained, at Margaret’s request, so that she looked natural but enhanced. She’d even embroidered a little design on her collar to freshen up its plain look.

She still didn’t know what he looked like, though. And contrary to Gladys’s ribbing or her mother’s inquiries, there was nothing on the pages that suggested a budding romance between them. But that didn’t mean that she didn’t want to have his image pinned to her wall. She could say good night to her friend and give shape to her prayers for his safety with more ease if she knew the particulars of his face.

I’m glad you liked the photograph, she continued.

I’ll send another once we’ve put our Christmas tree up. Did John ever tell you that he likes to take pictures? Before the war, he worked in our father’s cobbler shop, but he got up extra early to deliver the Brooklyn Daily Eagle because he wanted to buy a camera and have money left over to develop the film. How I wish he’d become a war correspondent instead of a paratrooper, but you know my brother as well as anyone at this point. He’s not going to be talked out of anything he sets his mind to.

And I guess he wouldn’t have met you and Tom then. Still, his interest was our gain. We have more photographs of our family than most since we’re one of the few to have a camera of our own, thanks to John’s hard work. Now that I’m working in the engraving department, I enjoy a little extra jingle in my pocket as well and will take some photographs of our Christmas tree to send to John. I’ll be sure to tell him to share them with you and Tom.