Dear Quinn,
I have quite the active mind, as you know, so it should come as no surprise that I’m writing you a letter which you most likely will not receive for years. I have questions that nobody can answer, because we’re all just doing our best, right? And I have songs I’d like to sing, but they’re for you, and to you, and all about you, darling. Just know that I hum your favorites to fall asleep at night, and I picture your beautiful, brave face.
I’m on a carrier right now, the USS Yorktown, and in eight hours I fly into Schweinfurt with eleven other nurses. We are all well, as of today, the fifteenth of February. We seem to have missed Valentine’s Day, but I think you know that you’re my valentine, honey. I hope you know.
Brittany made us all cocoa last night, and tried to hang upside-down on her bunk. She hit her head when she fell and Mercedes had to bandage her up. It was very funny. I wish I could hear you laugh again. Jesse is taking care of me, just like you asked him to, but he’ll be in France soon, and I don’t know when I’ll see him again.
I hope you’re eating, Quinn, and staying warm and healthy and not being too reckless. You’re so brave, but you don’t have to rescue everybody. Eat some lovely canned bread instead. I know how you adore it.
Quinn, my heart speeds up when I think about you, and it drops and thuds and lifts into my throat at the same time. I am so scared, and I know you are too, and that’s okay.
Think of apple pie, love.
And please be safe, Quinn. You’re carrying my heart.
Always yours, however long it takes,
Rachel
