This Cold, Hard Country, Part I

August 5, 1962

Fairbanks, Alaska

My Dearest Lois and kids:

Received both your letters and am sorry it’s taken me so long in answering. I don’t get to go to the P.O. every day., maybe only once or twice a week and that’s why it seems like it takes so long for me to answer.

Don’t worry honey, I haven’t forgotten you or anyone else. How can I when I love and miss you so much, so please don’t think that.

Sweetheart, you said you couldn’t see why I want to sell the trailer. Well, I’ll try to explain. You see, when we decided to let me come up here, I thought it was to live. Anyway, that was my intention and I thought that’s what you wanted too.

The big reason I said maybe we ought to sell the trailer was that maybe we could pay Uncle Fred a big chunk and have enough left over for a down payment on a home up here.

Honey, I know you think I’m a little nuts at times but I’ve got a feeling this is it. Honestly, things are so different up here especially the people, you can’t beat them. Like everybody keeps telling me, this country grows on you bad and after the first winter you don’t even want to go back. 

Sweetheart, I don’t want to come back and go to work for $2.00 per hour when I can make $3.00 doing something I like better and I don’t have to punch no damn time card anymore. I’m positive you’ll like it and learn to love this cold, hard country.

If you could rent the trailer for about $60 a month that would pretty well cover the payments and everything on it. I wouldn’t take any less than that for it though. You know if we had it up here it would bring about $100 to $150 dollars a month.

Surprise!, Part V (Conclusion)

March 1958

“Well, for one thing, you keep patting your stomach without even thinking about it and for another, you’re glowing. And not just with love for that big, teddy bear of a man you managed to find.”

“Well, he found me.”

“I know he did smarty-pants, but you know what I mean.”  She picked up a cookie and held it out to her sister. 

Lois took it and ate a few bites. She looked over at Florence and her eyes lit up. “I know we should have waited until we were married—” 

“Oh pshaw,” Florence interrupted. “You’re twenty-three years old.

Lois grinned. “You’re the best. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I’m so excited to be pregnant and to get married to such a swell man and to be able to raise our kids right here, with yours.” Reaching over the table, she and Florence linked hands. 

Florence’s eyes filled with tears. “Me too. I can’t wait to meet the beautiful baby you two will have. And to help with your wedding. I’ll make the cake and—”

“Well, about that…” Lois interrupted. “We’ve decided to get married at the courthouse in April. You know, not make it a big deal.” She patted her stomach. 

Florence frowned, tipped her head in thought for a second, then said, “I understand. Will you at least let me throw you an engagement party?”

“Yes, absolutely.” Lois smiled. “You can throw us a huge engagement party and make the cake too.”

Florence laughed. “You couldn’t stop me if you tried.”              

Surprise!, Part IV

March 1958

Lois settled back in her chair and watched as the pair headed out the door and down the steps, chattering like excited chipmunks. Her older sister, Florence chose that moment to come out of the house carrying a tray loaded with a sweating, ice and lemon filled pitcher of homemade lemonade, paper cups from the Can, and a plate of fresh baked ginger snaps still warm from the oven.

“Where’d everybody go?” Florence glanced around before setting the tray on the long table that sat against the wall.  “Thought Bill was out here and I though to heard Rainy’s voice too.” 

Lois’s straight white teeth flashed in a laugh. “Oh, you did, but they took off to measure the fish Rainy caught. She barely noticed me, but couldn’t wait to show it off to Bill.”

Florence’s green eyes flashed as she laughed too. She pushed a hand through her short wavy red hair. “She does love him, doesn’t she? I swear, I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who was so good with kids.”

Lois nodded.

“And animals,” Florence added. She picked up the pitcher and poured two cups of lemonade, walked over and handed one to her sister. Her eyes fell to the hand on Lois’s stomach. She turned and went back for the plate of cookies, set it down on the little table and settled into the chair recently vacated by her soon-to-be-brother-in-law. She half-turned in her seat to look at Lois. 

“So?  When are you due?” she said and took a long sip of her drink.

Lois’s hand stopped halfway to the cup and her other hand fluttered up off her midsection. Her eyes went wide and she stared at her sister. “I…uh, well, I…” 

Florence laughed and Lois took a breath before continuing.

“How did you know?”


to be concluded...