Fencil, Lorraine, (fl. 1943) to Leonard Graeff

One letter from Lorraine Fencil and Roselina Fencil to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated November 4, 1943. Lorraine writes that she and her father went hunting on the weekend. She shot a rabbit that was sitting still but she missed three others that were running. She played a hockey game and her team won 3-0. There is a new girl in her class who threw a tantrum on her first afternoon and was throwing everything she could get her hands on. She is bad tempered and tells everyone to shut up. Lorraine writes, "we've had more fun since she came than we had all year." Lorraine's parents got Eddie's birthday and Christmas gifts; a machine gun for his birthday, and a bow and arrow set for Christmas. She comments that she will like the gifts as much as Eddie. She taught Eddie the song "Pistol Packin' Mama" and he won't stop singing it. She wants to take a typing course but her mother won't let her. Lorraine comments she will have to join the Navy so she can go to school like Leonard. She asks for a photograph of Leonard. Roselina writes that she is home while Melvin is at work retreading tires. She hopes that her condition is enough to keep Melvin out of the army. The doctor gave Melvin a note the other day and she hopes that helps. She mentions that she has no strength in her right side anymore. On bad days her neck and shoulder go crooked, and bumps the size of marbles develop on her spine and neck. As a result of the lack of strength and other symptoms she is unable to work at any factory job, and is too unskilled to work anywhere else. She mentions that Lorraine is 14 years old and sometimes plays cards with a few boy who come over but is too young to go out with boys.