Shark – A Letter

Dear Herbert,

I realized this morning that i have very few choices of people to really talk to. Trust, after all, comes painfully rare nowadays. I’m looking over both shoulders, at everything with a grain of salt. I remember you telling me this a long time ago; You said it would be a thankless job for only the truly masochistic, and now I finally admit it, yes, you’re right. Only those of us who have been in the hot seat can understand, and if you count  – that’s a damn few.
I had Eleanor send you a package. I didn’t want to spoil it, but here I go. I found myself missing the slow-day coffee breaks we’d have in between sessions and the cinnamon sticks you love so much, so I shipped you some, might conjure up some good memories. See the bottom part – I also got you some Cubans you can smoke over those lazy Sundays at Newberg. Anyway, right now my friend, I need a confidant, and you’re the only one who can give me the right brave kind of advice. I warn you, this may sound a bit heavy.
Bert, when did we learn to take a life and sleep it off at night? Who are we to weigh the worth of someone in pounds of flesh? How do we cast the vote to make hundreds miserable? I never thought, after Harvard, would I be making these decisions. It’s not like the money war you fought through for years. Its extremely quiet as I sit in my chair, but I can’t help hearing the explosions, imagining that I’m there where my people are.
I already motioned for the roll-out of Rainbow Five, Bert. I have my doubts, but I had to act the stronger man. I know what you think, but I definitely had to. Hopkins gave me a scare last Wednesday – we got the ‘winds code’ – intercepted over Jap waters. I’m ready, but never truly ready for that. I never asked for this headache. But that’s quite ironic after three terms. I know you’re laughing it up at your patio. Pray to God we keep laughing.
Now here’s where I need your help. Our Hawaii people over at Shafter are on the dogwatch. We got feedback from Australian intel that we’ve got inherent coast danger thirty-four clicks away after their last transmission. They’ve been giving us the run-around, Bert. I just don’t have the heart to do this. Its just a phone call on this red telephone we both know too well. It’s loaded on the jets, and it will leave nothing over there. It won’t choose – not even women nor kids.
Am I being naive? You always had a clear head over these things when you ran the office. I wish I could just call your Newberg home, but look where that got the rest of us. Could you write back? Please do if you can, I need someone to tell me what to do. For once, after 11 long years. I still wonder why I do it. You’re right, It’s a job for those who want the closest thing to death. I can hear your big, dry laugh all the way here. Give my regards to Lou and the kids. Hope she’s doing okay. I can smell your brewed coffee already.
Let’s still keep this off the radar, all right? Keep your promise to me and steer clear of this madness. It’s going to get very ugly soon, I feel it. I’ll need your counsel. Take care, my friend.

Sincerely yours,
Franklin

–

December 6, 1941
1715 hrs.

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~ by Oceanfire on December 11, 2009.