Dad's Haitian Girlfriend

Dad was in the Marine Corp from 1930-34. And his unit was sent to Haiti, to protect American business interest's there (rich Americans had acquired the best land in Haiti, and where hiring Haitians to operate it, for low wages).

It was a common practice at the time, for rich countries to exploit poor countries, and protect this arrangement with their military. This how England acquired the riches of India.

Dad took advantage of this opportunity to learn French. Haiti had once been a French possession, operated by slave labor, but the slaves had revolted and won their independence.

He found a teacher who would teach him, French. She had a daughter who was Dad's age and they developed a romantic relationship. We don't know what this relationship amounted to, but she must have hoped Dad would marry her, and take her home to the States. Dad never made it clear to her that this was impossible.

They continued to correspond, in French, after Dad married. Linda found their letters in the attic and asked her French teacher in High School to translate them for her. She refused because they were too hot. Soon after this, the letters disappeared. probably destroyed by our mother.

After Dad died, Mother opened his strong box, and discover a letter in it from the Haitian girlfriend, written in English! After I was born, she realized she didn't have a chance and was terminating their relationship.