Dear Diary

by The Southern Rose

Caterina is a rising Southern Debutante. Due to the Civil War, her family is forced to abandon her home and school. Her Aunt and Uncle pay her way to join them in Paris, where she falls in love with performing arts. Thanks to her abusive father, she's exploited for greed until she's taken on by the Opera Garner as a ballerina. Hurting souls can heal each other, and seek revenge.

1. Chapter 1

December 6, 1859

Dear Diary,

I can't believe the day I have had today! Today is my 12th birthday and it's the best birthday I could ever ask for! Mother gave me this beautiful journal to write down all my thoughts in and even had my name etched on it. The necklace that came with it is the key! It is the best thing I have ever been given. And guess what?! Aunt and Uncle are here for the season! It has been so many years since I have seen them...

"Caterina darling! Come down and greet the guests!" at 12, life couldn't be any better. I had a mother who loved me, a father who, well, tolerated me, a large plantation that provided wealth, a wonderful education that most could not afford and all the love and happiness that anyone could ask for. The servants on the plantation were my friends, though some would leave when they had worked for their freedom. Mother was a kind, gentle woman who knew the value of a day's work and she paid his workers accordingly. She kept the plantation running and alive while Father, well, traveled about bringing home new 'slaves' as he called them. I came down stairs in my new powder blue and grey gown, a wide smile on my face as everyone was here to celebrate my birthday. It was 2 weeks before Christmas and the air outside was cool and crisp. As a rare snow began to fall, I could secretly hear two familiar voices that made me run all the faster.
"Bonjour mon bel ange!" My aunt cried out. I raced down the stairs and into her and uncle's arms. Mother must have kept their coming to America for a visit a surprise. I kissed her cheek and smiled widely
"Uncle Basil! Aunt Lou! I am so happy to see you both!" Mother cleared her throat, cutting through my insistence
"Katie dear, show your aunt and uncle what you have been working on." I flushed and quickly poised myself as best I could.
"Bonjour tante et oncle. Je suis tellement content que tu sois la." Aunt Lou's voice was that of a banshee. Her squeals of delight at my French nearly broke the frozen windows. It had been years since I had seen my aunt and uncle, since I was 7. She took me in her arms again and squeezed me tight, making it rather hard to breath.
"Lou darling, don't squish the poor girl. She is our only niece." She stepped back, but not before pinching the fire out of my cheeks.
"Happy Birthday little brat!" one brother scoops me up while the other proceeds to tickle me relentlessly. Timothy and Michael are 6 and 4 years older than me; thus requiring them to spoil me and give into my every desire. My older brothers spoiled me rotten with books and drawing pencils; to read about far-away places and draw the world as I imagined it to be.
"Timothy, Michael! These are so wonderful!" They smiled and kissed me on each cheek.
"This is from Mother and I mon bon." My uncle said as he handed me a rectangular box. "Be careful with this." I opened the wooden box to see my mother's silver necklace.
"Mother!" I ran into her and squeezed tight. "It's so beautiful. I love you so much!"
"Maintenant, mon cher, venez voir ce que votre oncle et moi vous avons amemé" my aunt cooed. I looked at her curiously.
"Qu'est-ce que tu m'as eu?" Aunt Lilly Ann's smile gleamed as I recited in French my question.
Uncle Basile pulled a box from behind his chair, gingerly setting it in my lap. I pulled the ribbon from the box and pushed the lid aside. A pair of real ballet slippers with silk ribbons seemed to smile back at me.
"Uncle Basile…" I looked up at him with awe. He smiled and kissed my forehead.
"Happy birthday mon ange."
"Yes your father decided that you should take dancing lessons. In Birmingham there is a school for girls that you will attend at the beginning of the year. It is time you became an accomplished young lady." My face fell with my feet.
"But, that means I won't be here anymore." The thud of father's boots interrupt my thought.
"Yes, it is about time you learn your place and be useful for this family. You're running about like a slave child. No discipline or respect." No one says much once Father makes up his mind, and he seemed very intent on me becoming a 'socialite' as he called it. Once he went back to his brandy the house soon settled into a normal sense of busy. Ms. Della and her sister Ms. Rose cooked the best dinner with all my favorites, including a red velvet cake.
"Happy Birthday Little Miss!" Mother allowed us to eat the cake in the parlor as Ms. Della and Ms. Rose wheeled it in on the serving cart. Two more gifts were on the tray as I devoured my second piece of cake.
"Now this one be from us Little Miss. You are too big for us to be callin' ya Little One, and soon you is gonna be goin off to that fancy school in January. Here be somethin' for ya." There wasn't anything special to the wrapping; just brown paper with twine keeping it held together, but what was inside was something I would forever cherish. Three hair ribbons; three simple pastel colored hair ribbons with matching simple hair pieces. All I could do was hug the two middle aged ladies. The last package of the evening was wrapped in thick patterned paper with silk ribbon tied in a large bow. Inside lay a simple leather bound book, a simple key on a silver chain lay next to the bound book.
"Now you can write down your thoughts, dreams, anything you want. And keep them safe too."
The rest of the day was spend with me drawing with my new pencils everything and anything I saw, including the snow covered oak tree.
"Mother! Mother! What's happening outside?!" The wooden floor clicks under her heels as she pushes open the curtains.
"Well I never! That's snow Katie dear. I thought you would never see snow this far south." Snow was a lot like hail or rain, but so much fluffier; like a soft kitten or bird. It melted so fast on my nose! I ran about in the snow, catching the snow on my nose and feeling it melt against my tongue. That is until Father came outside to once again scold me. Running about like a wild child was not for a young lady of my soon to be social standing. I wish Father would stop calling me a wild child. I disobeyed Mother or Ms. Della or Ms. Rose or anybody; anybody but Father it seemed. Nothing I seemed to do or say ever pleased him, maybe going away to this school will teach me to well, understand Father.

It was so nice to see Aunt and Uncle again! It makes me sad Aunt and Uncle don't have any children of their own, but that makes it a little better for us I guess. Maybe one day Mother and Father can take us to France to see them! I've read so much about France! The culture and they even are out in town past dark! I would love to be able to look out the window and see people walking about in grand dresses and even go see a show. There is something called an Opera House that you can watch people perform like never before! Well it's getting rather late and the candle is getting short. I hope to write soon!

Caterina Rebecca Taylor