August 1, 1966

Dear Journal,

Today I found a journal in one of the storage rooms with Alfred. The cover is bumpy and the pages are yellow. Alfred said that it was made from animal skin. My dad wrote in it a few times, but he stopped. I'm going to finish it up for him.

-Peter Kirkland

August 2, 1966

Dear Journal,

It's rainy today. Dad and I are staying inside and reading together. I hope we can go to the park again soon.

-Peter Kirkland

August 3, 1996

Dear Journal,

Raining.

-Peter Kirkland

August 4, 1966

Dear Journal,

Dad needs new ears. He went to the doctor today. Alfred and Mattie are with him. I'm not allowed to know what's going on. Big people are silly.

-Peter Kirkland

August 6, 1966

Dear Journal,

PARK! We all went to the park today. I met a new friend. He doesn't talk much, but he did talk about how Dad looks quiet. I think he's just tired from watching me play.

-Peter Kirkland

August 7, 1966

Dear Journal,

My friend came to visit today. Dad stayed in his room so I had to let in Mike. Mike talked about life. He's really worldly.

-Peter Kirkland

August 8, 1966

Dear Journal,

I heard a big sound while everyone was sleeping and I knocked on Dad's door. He didn't answer so I yelled at Alfred's door until he ran to Dad's room. I think Dad hurt his head. We're going to the doctor.

-Peter Kirkland

August 8, 1966

Dear Journal,

Mattie and Alfred are fighting. Mattie says that Dad needs to keep going to the doctor. Alfred says that Dad needs medicine. I hope they stop fighting soon. I don't like it when they fight.

-Peter Kirkland

August 10, 1966

Dear Journal,

Mattie won. Dad's going to go to the doctor's once a week until he's better. I saw Mike again today. He told me to sneak into Dad's appointments. I'm going to do it.

-Peter Kirkland

August 15, 1966

Dear Journal,

I almost got caught! Luckily I'm a really good hider. Dad and the doctor talked for a really, really long time. They talked about when Alfred moved out and Dad's drinking. I stopped listening after that. I have to ask Mike about it later.

-Peter Kirkland

August 16, 1966

Dear Journal,

It's really boring around here. Dad, Mattie, and Alfred won't talk to me. Did I make them mad?

-Peter Kirkland

August 17, 1966

Dear Journal,

Mike said that something big happened back in July. I told him that Mattie and Alfred's birthdays are in July. Dad doesn't like that time of year very much. I can't remember much about Alfred's birthday this year, but Mike wants me to write all about it so he can read it. I'll try to remember.

I spent the day with Alfred. We shot off fireworks and ate a lot of cake. It was really colorful and it tasted like strawberries and chocolate with vanilla frosting and chocolate chip mint ice cream. Alfred got a lot of presents. When the party was over, Dad drove me home and put me to bed. He looked sleepy. I think that was it.

-Peter Kirkland

August 18, 1966

Dear Journal,

Mike says that I have to hurry and figure out what happened, so he's going to take me on a field trip. He said we'll go fast so no one notices we're gone.

-Peter Kirkland

August 19, 1966

Dear Journal,

I remembered more! I woke up after Dad put me to bed. I heard a loud noise so I went to Dad's room. He was loud and he threw one of the bottles. I got scared and ran to the stairs. I fell and I don't remember anything after that.

-Peter Kirkland

August 20, 1966

Dear Journal,

Mike took me to the cemetery nearby and showed me one of the graves. He told me that after this one, I can't write any more, but I get to watch over everyone. I'm going to miss them. Mattie, Alfred, Daddy, I love you all forever.

-Peter Kirkland