Cold War on Maplewood Street by Gayle Rosengren Page B

horse story she’d checked out of thelibrary. But when she took the book from her bedside table, she bumped the snapshot of Sam and it fell to the floor. Quickly, she picked it up and carefully leaned it back against the lamp. She couldn’t help sighing as she looked at her brother. If only she could talk to Sam, for even a minute, so he could tell her if he was part of the quarantine—and so she could tell him she was sorry for the horrible things she’d said to him.
    But there were no telephones on ships. The only way to talk to him now was by letter—and she’d promised she wouldn’t write. She set her library book back on the table and looked at Sam’s photo thoughtfully. Then she went to her dresser and opened the top drawer. She pulled the little pile of envelopes out from under her socks.
    The most recent letter was on top and they were tied together with the pink ribbon Sam had wrapped around her radio when he’d sent it. Joanna slipped off the ribbon and took the envelopes to her bed. She opened the oldest letter first:
    September 10
    Dear Jo,
    I wish you could see the Pierce ! She’s an amazing destroyer with an impressive history. I’m lucky to have been assigned to her. I’ve already met some nice guys and I know I’m going to do important work here and learn a lot. ButI’ll never be truly happy if you can’t accept my decision. I hope you’ll write soon and tell me you’ve forgiven me . . .
    September 17
    Dear Jo,
    They’re keeping us busy, but that’s good because it helps me to miss Mom and you a little less. I like my work in the radio room, and I like the ocean. I confess I was a little worried that I might get seasick. After all, I’d never even seen the ocean before. Can you imagine how embarrassing seasickness would be for a sailor?
    He had drawn a cartoon figure of himself with one hand holding his stomach and the other covering his mouth. Joanna giggled.
    She read letter after letter.
    September 21
    Dear Joanna,
    You would like my best buddy, Jakes. (That’s his last name, not his first.) He comes from Kentucky and his family raises racehorses! He says sometime on leave I can bring you down fora visit. Wouldn’t that be something? Someday we might even go to the Kentucky Derby!
    October 1
    Dear Jo,
    I’m really sorry my decision to join the navy hurt you so deeply. But it’s what I needed to do—for myself, yes. But for my country, and for you and for Mom, too. Please try to understand and write to me. You and Mom are the two most important people in the world to me. I hate to think that I’ve let you down.
    Joanna stared at this letter. The one sentence always confused her. What did Sam mean, he’d joined the navy for Mom and her? She’d begged him
not
to go.
    October 7
    Dear Joanna,
    I learned how to play a card game called cribbage. It’s a lot of fun. Remind me to teach you how to play when I come home on leave.
    I wish I could have left at a better time, when you wouldn’t have to be alone so much. I know it can get pretty scary in that basement at night. There’s so many weird noises from thepipes and stuff. But Dixie will sound the alarm if there’s anything to really worry about. And you can call Pamela’s apartment. Her mom or dad would be there for you in a flash.
    I’m still waiting for a letter, kiddo. I want to hear what you’ve been up to. Write, will you?
    I have to hurry to my post now. I’ll drop this in the mail chute on the way.
    Give Dixie a pat from me.
    Love,
    Sam
    Joanna reread the part where Sam talked about the apartment being scary at night. He sounded like even he had been frightened sometimes. But she couldn’t quite believe that. He was probably just saying it to make her feel better. He’d sure never acted scared.
    She began the last letter.
    October 13
    Dear Joanna,
    We’re doubling up on our exercises. Something