One City One Story 2016 Writing Contest: “A Vivid Memory”
2nd place
Category 3: Grades 9-12
“Dear Diary”
by Jocelyn D. Chea
Grade 12
Blair High School
May 9, 2005
Dear Diary,
I feel silly writing like this, but I thought since mommy gave you to me, I should write in you. Besides, I love writing. For some reason, through writing, I feel better. Though right now, I feel really scared and I have a knot in my stomach. Mommy and Daddy have been fighting a lot lately and it seems like they fight every night now. They’re always screaming and throwing things and it always keeps us up at night. Oh and by “us”, I mean me and my two older brothers, Ken and Alex. My parents fighting isn’t new, although the thing that’s scaring me is that my brothers keep saying Mommy and Daddy are going to get a divorce. I’m not really sure what a “divorce” is, though it sounds really scary and my stomach doesn’t feel good. It’s 7:30pm right now and Mommy just came in and told us to get ready for bed. I guess I’ll write in you tomorrow then.
May 10, 2005
Dear Diary,
Today is Saturday and it’s 10:16 am and this morning made me feel very strange. I’m not even sure how to explain it, Diary, but I’ll try as best as I can. This morning, I was woken up by the sound of something being thrown against the wall. I quickly got out of bed and ran to the living room to see what was making that noise. As I reached the end of the hallway, I stopped and crept slowly to peek over to see what it was. I saw our daddy’s back and I came all the way out of the hallway. I could see him kicking and throwing our toys. I watched for a few minutes more and finally saw what he was doing. He stopped and turned staring straight at me, he looked so angry. He looked down at his feet and saw the Barbie doll. He kicked it to the side and told me to clean up or else he’d throw everything away. He then walked out the front door and shut it hard. I already knew he was gone outside to smoke. Everything I had was everywhere. I looked around at the mess. I didn’t know where to start. The messy living room looked like how I felt inside.
May 17, 2005
Dear Diary,
I’m sorry I haven’t written in you for a while. There is just so much going on, Diary. I think I know what a divorce is. It’s when a mommy and daddy don’t love each other anymore and they live in different houses. Daddy had two suitcases packed with all his things yesterday and left without saying goodbye. I’m not sure where he went. Mommy won’t tell me. I really miss him.
May 19, 2005
Dear Diary,
You’re in your new place today Diary. I decided to bring you to school today. Me and my brothers have been waiting for Mommy to pick us up, but she’s running really late. All of the other kids have already left to go home with their mommys and daddys. The teacher said she was going to call Mommy, but that was a long time ago. I really hope that everything is okay.
May 22, 2005
Dear Diary,
Mommy’s late again today with picking us up. Mommy said that she’s been very busy because she has to take care of “business.” I’m not sure what kind of business she’s doing but I hope she finishes soon so we can go home. I’m really getting tired of staying here after school. Diary, you won’t believe it! Daddy’s here. He just came through the gates. I have to go. I’ll write in you soon.
May 23, 2005
Dear Diary,
I’m really sad, Diary. After Daddy picked us up yesterday, he told us that he wasn’t going to come home anymore. But he did say if we got lonely, we could go visit him at grandma’s house. I don’t like it, Diary. Don’t get me wrong. I love going to my grandma’s house, but when Mommy comes to pick us up, I feel sad. Usually whenever we get out, Daddy brings us and we go home together. Now he doesn’t. On the drive home, I asked Mommy why Daddy doesn’t come home. She didn’t answer me and the whole ride home was quiet.
May 30, 2005
Dear Diary,
We went to visit Daddy again today, but he told us very sad news. He said that he was going to go to a very far trip by himself. He said he needed to do something in a place called Cambodia and that he didn’t know when he’d be coming back. I hope he’s back for my birthday. It’s only 6 days away. Usually he’d be asking me what I want. Maybe he forgot?
June 4, 2005
Dear Diary,
Mommy said I could invite my friends from school to my birthday party tomorrow. I asked her if I could invite Daddy to my birthday, too. I don’t think she heard me, so I asked again. This time she heard me and she said she’d asked. Diary, I’m very excited. I can’t wait to see Daddy.
June 5, 2005
Dear Diary,
Happy Birthday to me! My birthday party is already over, Diary. It’s 10 pm and I’m very tired from my birthday party. The party was a lot of fun. All of my friends came. We played lots of games, ate cake, and we got to hit the pinata for candy. Some of my cousins came, too, but I didn’t see my daddy. When the party ended and everyone left, I asked Mommy where Daddy was. She said he’d be here soon, but Diary, I’ve been waiting by the door for what feels like forever. If he doesn’t come home soon, his piece of cake will go bad. I hope he comes soon before I fall asleep. I want to tell him all about my party.
June 6, 2005
Dear Diary,
Daddy didn’t come yesterday. When I asked Mommy this morning, she said she didn’t know why Daddy didn’t come yesterday. I don’t know why either. Diary, I feel very sad, but I’m sure he has his reasons why he didn’t come yesterday. Mommy says I’m a big girl now sine I am 10 years old, but I don’t feel any different. Diary, I’m not sure that I want to be older. The future is scary. I’m not sure what will happen tomorrow or the day after. The only thing I’m sure about is of what happened yesterday and the day before. All I know is that I hope that Mommy and Daddy will stop being divorced. I really don’t like not living with Mommy and Daddy.