My dear Evchen, I just finished the birthday letter to [your/my?] Mom. I’m not sure it will arrive on time if I send it to Leipzig so that you can take it with you, because I don’t know when you will leave. That’s why I sent the letter straight to Nieheim, hoping that it will arrive on time. I think you will have a few nice days in Nieheim, which the Nieheimers look forward to as much as you, I hope. Should you receive this letter in time, I would like to ask you to buy Mom a small gift for her birthday. If you want to surprise the Nieheimers, but still want to be picked up at the train, write to Rostenstein and ask him to send a car to the train. I am sure he will come himself, that “Schmecklecker”* (do you know this expression, it’s from Cologne!) Grete can explain it to you.
Today is the Americans’ highest holiday, the day on which the original 13 states sealed their declaration of independence. What I get is a Monday off. There’s no other news. Last week, I sweated a lot even though it wasn’t all that warm. I worked 10 hours of overtime, at $4/10 each. That way, I made $19 that week. Business has slowed down due to the heat. Nonetheless, no one was fired on Saturday. It happens so easily here otherwise. You don’t need to come back on Monday, and you’re done. I hope to receive the first documents for my American citizenship tomorrow morning. I will then set everything in motion regarding the affidavit. It ended up taking longer than I expected. People who arrived a few weeks after me already received their documents before I did. But all you can do is wait.
Lots of sweet kisses from your Fritz
*Literally, "tasty", perhaps referring to a womanizer (in a kind way)
