The Journal

Rafe picked up Danny's journal. It had a dark brown leather binding. He opened it, and it read Danny's basic information…..

Daniel Walker

Born: July 21, 1917

Died:

Home: Tennessee

Best Friend: Rafe McCawley

Father: Cole Walker

Dear Lord- July 21-1923

Today is my birthday, Rafe and his parents gave me this journal, it has a ton of pages in it that I don't know if I'll live long enough to finish it.

Daddy forgot my birthday, but it's okay, he has a lot on his mind right now and I'm not much help to him. I thought about running away, but I couldn't leave Rafe, he needs me, and so does daddy, neither of them say it but I know they do. I decided to turn this journal into a sort of prayer book, cuz I don't always say my prayers like I should, so this way I'm covered. Daddy's home, I'd better start on dinner.

Later-

Daddy was real mad dinner wasn't ready, he knocked me around a bit, but I'm okay, I used some of his whiskey to put on the cut I got, Rafe said that's what the soldiers used to do a long time ago, that if you won't do that it won't hurt as much, maybe that is why daddy is never in pain when he's drinking. I tasted it once, it doesn't taste too good to me. My arm stopped bleeding, I think I'll go to bed now.

Thank you.

Danny

Rafe looked up,

"Oh God." He said in amazement. There was so much Danny never told him. Living in that house must have been hell on him. He continued reading.

Dear Lord- July 23-1923

Sorry I didn't write yesterday, I played with Rafe some and stayed over there. Daddy usually has some of his friends over on Tuesdays, so I think it's better for both of us if I'm not there. Rafe asked me what happened to my arm, I told him I was cleaning up some of Daddy's bottles and fell on one, he believed me, but Rafe's daddy pulled me aside later that night and said I was welcome at their house anytime. I thanked him, but told him daddy needed me.

"I know" replied Mr. McCawley with an understanding smile. "But if for any reason at all you feel you can't stay there, or don't want to stay there, you have a home here."

"Thanks Mr. McCawley, I really do appreciate it."

He patted me on the head, but I think he knows, I think he knows about daddy, the things he does. I came home this morning and played with my planes, Daddy was asleep on the couch, some of his friends were still there. Is that what men are supposed to do, Rafe's daddy doesn't do it. I hope Rafe and I never get like that, like my daddy.

Good Night Lord.

Thank You for everything.

Danny

As Rafe flipped ahead in the years he found a page with…..it was blood. And pieces of glass stuck in between the page and binding.

Dear Lord- December 24-1928

It's Christmas Eve, daddy got drunk so I thought I'd go over to the McCawley's, not join their Christmas, that would be rude, I was just gonna watch outside a little while, but when I was sneaking out the window in my room daddy came in.

"Where YOU goin' boy!" he yelled slurring almost every word uttered.

"I was just goin' over to the McCawley's daddy." I said cautiously, trying to calm him down.

"You rather spend Christmas with them than your own father!" he said coming towards me with force punching me in the jaw.

"No daddy I was just---"he was interrupted by another blow to the head knocking me into the window, breaking the glass.

"Christmas is for family boy, I don't care how old you get" but his words were muffled, and I passed out. That's all I remember.

Oh I shouldn't have tried to sneak out. Daddy was right, Christmas is for family, I'll just go over to Rafe's tomorrow, I know they probably got me a gift, I really wish they wouldn't, I don't deserve it. Daddy says only good kids get presents, I really do try to behave Lord! I do!

Please forgive me I shouldn't be sad, its Christmas Eve, the Eve of Your birth.

Thank you Lord.

Your friend

Danny

Rafe looked up, that's why the window was broken, and it was never fixed, Danny must have lived there at least another year before he moved in with us he thought.

"God Danny why didn't you say anything, I thought you told me everything. Maybe I didn't protect you as I should have."