Dear Diary

By Sarah B

I don’t own any of the characters, I’m not trying to maliciously step on anybody’s copyright, and I’m certainly not making any money from writing this. David Everett appeared in the 1986 episode "Dead Man's Gold".

Jessica sat on her knees and searched through the cedar chest at the end of her bed. She had not opened it in sometime. "Where is it? It has to be here somewhere," she said out loud to herself. She lifted out several items and looked at them. First there was her high school annual. She flipped through it briefly. She paused on the page that documented the senior prom. She examined the photo of her and David Everett. "King and queen. I'd almost forgotten," she said. "My, he was so handsome." She lifted out several other books, some dried flowers wrapped in a plastic, a teddy bear that had belonged to Grady, and the box that held her wedding gown. At the bottom of the chest, she finally found it. Her diary. She flipped through it and then turned the next to last entry.

May 31, 1954

Dear Diary,

Well, I haven’t written to you in over a month. My life has been a whirlwind since I last talked to you. First the update. I am a high school graduate. I was valedictorian and I was awarded a full scholarship to Harrison College. I was so nervous giving my valedictory speech but it went well. I could see Mommy and Daddy beaming from their seats. I'm proud of myself and I'm happy that I made them proud too.

Daddy lifted my grounding in time for the senior prom. I had to promise him that I wouldn't break my curfew. He even let David pick me up but made sure himself that David's gas tank was full this time. I was just a little embarrassed. I wore a delicate pink gown. It had a strapless satin bodice. The full skirt was made of tulle. I felt like a princess in it. David gave me a corsage of pink and white tea roses. He wore a white sports coat. I gave him a pink carnation to wear on his lapel. He looked so handsome. We were voted the Prom King and Queen! Can you believe it?! It was a wonderful night.

We didn't miss my curfew at all but I was mortified when David was kissing me goodnight and Daddy caught us. He flashed the front porch light on and off. Really, I'm not Daddy's little girl anymore. But, the best and most amazing thing happened. David told me that he loves me. I think I love him too. I think that I might marry him. But nothing will keep me from going to college and I told David that. David told me that he will wait for me.

Love,

Jessie

She then turned to the last entry.

June 20, 1954

Dear Diary,

Today is my eighteenth birthday. I am leaving in two months to go to college. Mommy is taking me to New York next week for my first theatre trip. I should be happy, but I'm not.

Today, Mommy ran into Mrs. Everett at the grocery market. Mrs. Everett told her that David has left town. He ran away and joined the Merchant Marines. He didn't even say goodbye to me. I love him but I don't think I can ever forgive him. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't think I will ever fall in love again.

Love, Jessie

Jessica repacked all of the books and other items back into the cedar chest. She started to put her wedding dress back in when she decided to look at it. She opened the box and carefully unwrapped the tissue paper that protected it. She stood up and carried it across the room.

Jessica held the beautiful silk gown against herself and looked at her reflection in the full length mirror. She had not kept a diary after that last entry on that fateful day in June, 1954. "Thank God for that day," she said. "Just one year later, I met Frank Fletcher. Thankfully, dear diary, my prediction didn't come true."