JULY 15

1939 10:30 I just ate a piece of the best pink, cold watermelon… Boy, am I cradle-robber!  Going to Duke Ellington with Leonard Payne – tomorrow is his 18^th birthday! (I thought Ray might call tonight)

1940 10:30 And a year later I write him a letter (happy birthday, L.) Little did I think he would come to mean as much to me, then… Maybe a year from now I will have forgotten him entirely, but I v. much doubt it. He is the type of person that sticks in your memory

1941 Yes, you were right, for once, dopey. Leonard is still very much with us. Wonder what another year will

1942 WED BASIN STREET MADE ME lonesome FOR Leonard… WANTED TO SEND HIM A TELEGRAM; DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND HIM. HE GOT HIS FIRST NOTICE of INDUCTION TODAY – fine THING!… BUT HE’S STILL ELIGIBLE for ARMY RESERVE, case SAYS. GEE, I HOPE he COMES OUT OK.

1943 THURS I WAS DEFINITELY UNCONSCIOUS. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT. I BOUGHT A $20 RED GABARDINE SUIT FOR $8! – THINK I DID WELL. SOME ROPE SANDALS. [THE NICE MAN TOLD ME I HAD A PRETTY FIGURE. IMAGINE]. ELEANOR + I ATE AT THE STEW BAR. STAGGERED HOME.

JULY 14

1939 12:30 Eide’s had a party tonight it was a lot of fun – just college kids – we played croquet! – I wore my plaid skirt + white blouse and a black velvet ribbon in my hair.

1940 9:30 My day wasn’t as ruined as it threatened to be last night – rowing upsets me terribly – I had to go outside; prowl around, have a cigarette + be alone about 2:30… This morning told Bill we’d better exclude the activities to the afternoon. – We had a lot of fun biking and drank beer + went swimming… I think I know how to take him

1941 12:45 brr – It is chilly! – Finished dress rehearsal – wrote to Clara + Leonard. Lines R. on the beach this afternoon. Met the new leading man

1942 TUES SWIMMING EMIL WAS HERE, ON FURLOUGH. WE ALL HAD LUNCH TOGETHER DOWN AT THE Chocolate SHOP… [ME + 7 MEN!] HE HAS MADE THE TRANSITION BEAUTIFULLY… I’M PROUD of HIM.

1943 WED I HAD NO IDEA THE EVENING WOULD BE SO INTERESTING [OR LAST SO LONG] “BILL” (DON’T KNOW HIS LAST NAME) AN EX- SWOON SINGER IN THE MERCHANT MARINE! WE HAD DINNER ON THE TERRACE, TALKED MUSIC, BILL SANG, COCKTAILS, CENTRAL PARK

JULY 13

1939 10:30 Painted all day – went swimming – B. Severson wants me to design a trade mark for her radio program – I would like a date.

1940 2:45 Sat For 8 years I’ve waited for this – to be able to go out + have a little fun – to date – to be attractive – to have fellow like me, to be happy – and Dad + Mother can’t see it – have to spoil it all by treating me like an adolescent. Because I came in at 1:30!

1941 MON WENT OUT WITH HIM…MIGOSH, I DIDN’T DREAM HE’D ACTUALLY LOOK ME OOP! – HE CAME OVER + I DRAGGED HIM IN TO TALK TO MOTHER – JUST TO MAKE IT LEGAL! – WE DANCED for HALF HR. or SO OUT TO THE DYNAMITE AND CAME HOME. HE’S VERY INTELLIGENT.

1943 TUES And we were going to eat out + early + accomplish much: ate at Schrafts and it took ages. Pearl didn’t [get] our message + felt neglected! oh hell.

 

JULY 12

1939 10:10 Worked 6 hrs today, walked 3 times (6 miles) + went swimming We go almost every noon – tonight, Mother + I have been talking about fixing over Wilmer’s old room for me- I hope I can do it

1940 Friday 10:30 – I was seriously unhappy this afternoon – mostly because I was tired, I guess. Bill + I went out to his folks house (to feed the dog!) – He wants an “all day” date for Sunday. I agreed, but I don’t know.

1941 2:15 Thank God that show’s over. – insects are buzzing in my ear. – a skunk lurks around our door-sill – we had a wild time getting home – I feel in character for my next part!

1942 SUN “MET” DAVID… (THAT WAS RILLY A SMOOTH PICK-UP, IF EVER I SAW ONE) – SHIRLEY, PEG + I WENT SWIMMING – MAYBE IT WAS MY RED SUIT. WE HAD SUPPER OVER AT PEG’S, THE CAME OVER + SAT IN OUR BACK YARD; JOHN K + J. de R. CAME OVER + STAYED and TALKED TO ME…

1943 MON Leonard wrote a dark, resentful letter, I hate his having to feel that way. Oh God, please let him have a chance… Had to come home this noon I felt so bad. Better, as the day wore on. We had steak.