Early Morning, Saturday, October 5, 1985
I woke up early this morning, even though it's the weekend. The Avengers is playing on channel 9
in ten minutes, and I want to tape it. So far I have almost every Emma Peel and Tara King
episode and now I'm working on the Cathy Gale ones. It's "Second Sight" today and it has this
really good actor who played Fitch in the Emma episode "Dial a Deadly Number." If anyone is
reading this diary (heaven forbid!) They probably won't know what in the world I'm talking
about, just like I can't figure out Mom and Dad's stock market talk. Too bad. You gotta watch
the Avengers and find out!
Oh, darn. I just remembered Dad's little slip up last night. Make a mental note to avoid ever
leaving the house again.
Zak, Mom, and Dad are asleep still. It is pitch black outside still as it usually is at 7 am in
October. The leaves are beautiful at this time of year, though the lack of trees in our
neighborhood makes it difficult to tell. It was during autumn that Dad's old boss died. Now what
was his name? CHIEF! Of course! Now I remember. He was always bungling his assignments on
the job and apologizing to his boss, Chief. Chief of what? Cards? Oh, who cares. Anyway, he died
a couple years ago, and Dad was really shook up. It appears that he was really close to Chief.
Don't ask how someone can be friends with their boss. Of course, some people think it's
impossible to be friends with their mother, and I know THAT to be untrue.
Ooh! My tv show is going to start! Talk to you later!
Jennif- Oh, what the heck.
Maxine Smart
An hour later
What a confusing episode!
Anywho, back to Chief. Evidently, he didn't die of natural causes. Rumor has it that he was . . .
can you believe it? . . . killed! Who would bother to kill the Chief of the Pontiac Card Company?
Beats me. And why did Dad mysteriously disappear for a month right after the funeral? It's at
times like this that I wonder of their isn't more to Dad than meets the eye. Not that I think HE
killed his boss. He spoke too warmly of Chief for that. But just the same, I can't help picturing
him on a worldwide crusade to avenge the death of his friend . . . Gah, I watch too much
television.
Zak is awake, finally. He asks if I taped the episode, which, of course, I did. I don't know why I
let him watch them though. He's asleep in bed snoring away on a Saturday morning while I'm up
at 6 a.m. to tape the show. That's gratitude. And he's the fanatic for spy shows. I just watch it for
Steed.
Zak is wearing his glasses today. He wears contacts when he goes to school so he doesn't end up
stuffed in his locker TWICE a day. His hair is all spiky and weird from sleeping. I don't know
why he is so geeky looking. Mom, as I said, is absolutely beautiful, and Dad, though no Prince
Charming, is what some would consider cute, though his beady eyes are way too close together.
Even I have been considered a beauty, and I'm his fraternal twin! But poor Zak is just plain
homely. His face has NERD written all over it. Sometimes, I really feel sorry for him. He would
just tell me that I was wasting my energy.
Zak is amazing. He doesn't seem to care that he looks that way. Either that, or he hasn't noticed.
Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen him in front of the mirror. Wouldn't that be weird
if he was one of those people with an identity problem because he had never seen his reflection?
Creepy.
Speaking of creepy, Halloween is coming! I am really excited about it. I think I'm going to go as
(what else) John Steed. I could borrow Zak's suit coat, tie, dress socks, shoes and one of his nice
white shirts (we are practically the same size) and find out if Dad has a bowler. He HAS to, I
mean with all of these business meetings he's been to you can't expect me to believe he
DOESN'T have a bowler! Mom has a black 'brolly with a curved wooden handle, and I have
some black slacks that will work perfectly. Then, I can tuck my long hair under the hat and
TADA! Instant Steed! Just thinking about it is exciting. Too bad Zak can't be Emma. *snickers* I
don't think Mom will allow him to cross-dress.
Well, Mom and Dad are up, so I better get off.
Maxi Steed (ok, maybe I'll just get rid of my surname)
Saturday Evening
We're staying at home and eating Mom's home cooking tonight! *cheers* After last night's
fiasco, Dad would be a total jerk not to let Mom cook for him. Of course, he IS a total jerk, but
hey! Most of the day I was reading this book I was assigned for school called War and Peace. It
is really long, like a thousand pages. So by the time Mom started cooking, I was ready for a
break.
While Mom was fixing supper and Zak was working on his science project, I decided to approach
Dad on the subject of Career Day. He was sitting in the living room, watching one of my
Avengers tapes. He does that all the time. Dad's really just like a big kid sometimes.
Emma Peel was on the screen about to be sliced in half by this giant sawblade. Dad was glued to
the set, leaning forward precariously in his seat when I entered. "Dad," I said, switching the tv
off. "I need to talk to you."
"Hey!" he whined. "Now I'll never know what happened to Mrs. Peel." He began to pout.
"Dad!" I said, bringing him back to reality.
He blinked for a couple minutes before replying, "Yeah, what is it sweety?"
"The principal at my school was wondering if, uh . . ." I paused to twirl some of my brunette hair
around my fingers. Why is it always so difficult for me to talk to him? I mean, he is my DAD for
Pete's sake.
Dad smiled kindly at me. I think I reminded him of Mom as I stood there. I DO look a lot like her
and we both have this silly habit of playing with our hair, though Mom only does it when she's
playing cutesy with him. "Yes??" he asked in the softest voice I'd ever heard him use.
" . . . you could talk about your job at the greeting card company for Career Day," I managed to
blurt out.
Dad looked like I had just struck him across the face. What was wrong? Was the thought of going
to your children's school and giving a short little speech about your profession such a terrible
prospect? My eyes must have betrayed my disappointment, for he said. "I'm sorry, honey, it's just
that . . ." He trailed off with an odd look on his face and a catch in his voice.
"That's ok," I choked bitterly. "I'm sure you have more important things to do that save your
daughter from public humiliation." And I stormed off to my room, where I am now.
What is his problem anyway? I mean, there are only two days a year he notices I'm alive, so why
can't he make the effort to do something important to me? Gr! He makes me so mad!
Mom is calling us for dinner now, so I guess I have to go. I'll just ignore Dad the rest of the
night, I guess.
Jennifer Smart (maybe I should just drop the part of my name related to Dad. After all, Mom is a
Smart and she's terrific.)
I woke up early this morning, even though it's the weekend. The Avengers is playing on channel 9
in ten minutes, and I want to tape it. So far I have almost every Emma Peel and Tara King
episode and now I'm working on the Cathy Gale ones. It's "Second Sight" today and it has this
really good actor who played Fitch in the Emma episode "Dial a Deadly Number." If anyone is
reading this diary (heaven forbid!) They probably won't know what in the world I'm talking
about, just like I can't figure out Mom and Dad's stock market talk. Too bad. You gotta watch
the Avengers and find out!
Oh, darn. I just remembered Dad's little slip up last night. Make a mental note to avoid ever
leaving the house again.
Zak, Mom, and Dad are asleep still. It is pitch black outside still as it usually is at 7 am in
October. The leaves are beautiful at this time of year, though the lack of trees in our
neighborhood makes it difficult to tell. It was during autumn that Dad's old boss died. Now what
was his name? CHIEF! Of course! Now I remember. He was always bungling his assignments on
the job and apologizing to his boss, Chief. Chief of what? Cards? Oh, who cares. Anyway, he died
a couple years ago, and Dad was really shook up. It appears that he was really close to Chief.
Don't ask how someone can be friends with their boss. Of course, some people think it's
impossible to be friends with their mother, and I know THAT to be untrue.
Ooh! My tv show is going to start! Talk to you later!
Jennif- Oh, what the heck.
Maxine Smart
An hour later
What a confusing episode!
Anywho, back to Chief. Evidently, he didn't die of natural causes. Rumor has it that he was . . .
can you believe it? . . . killed! Who would bother to kill the Chief of the Pontiac Card Company?
Beats me. And why did Dad mysteriously disappear for a month right after the funeral? It's at
times like this that I wonder of their isn't more to Dad than meets the eye. Not that I think HE
killed his boss. He spoke too warmly of Chief for that. But just the same, I can't help picturing
him on a worldwide crusade to avenge the death of his friend . . . Gah, I watch too much
television.
Zak is awake, finally. He asks if I taped the episode, which, of course, I did. I don't know why I
let him watch them though. He's asleep in bed snoring away on a Saturday morning while I'm up
at 6 a.m. to tape the show. That's gratitude. And he's the fanatic for spy shows. I just watch it for
Steed.
Zak is wearing his glasses today. He wears contacts when he goes to school so he doesn't end up
stuffed in his locker TWICE a day. His hair is all spiky and weird from sleeping. I don't know
why he is so geeky looking. Mom, as I said, is absolutely beautiful, and Dad, though no Prince
Charming, is what some would consider cute, though his beady eyes are way too close together.
Even I have been considered a beauty, and I'm his fraternal twin! But poor Zak is just plain
homely. His face has NERD written all over it. Sometimes, I really feel sorry for him. He would
just tell me that I was wasting my energy.
Zak is amazing. He doesn't seem to care that he looks that way. Either that, or he hasn't noticed.
Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen him in front of the mirror. Wouldn't that be weird
if he was one of those people with an identity problem because he had never seen his reflection?
Creepy.
Speaking of creepy, Halloween is coming! I am really excited about it. I think I'm going to go as
(what else) John Steed. I could borrow Zak's suit coat, tie, dress socks, shoes and one of his nice
white shirts (we are practically the same size) and find out if Dad has a bowler. He HAS to, I
mean with all of these business meetings he's been to you can't expect me to believe he
DOESN'T have a bowler! Mom has a black 'brolly with a curved wooden handle, and I have
some black slacks that will work perfectly. Then, I can tuck my long hair under the hat and
TADA! Instant Steed! Just thinking about it is exciting. Too bad Zak can't be Emma. *snickers* I
don't think Mom will allow him to cross-dress.
Well, Mom and Dad are up, so I better get off.
Maxi Steed (ok, maybe I'll just get rid of my surname)
Saturday Evening
We're staying at home and eating Mom's home cooking tonight! *cheers* After last night's
fiasco, Dad would be a total jerk not to let Mom cook for him. Of course, he IS a total jerk, but
hey! Most of the day I was reading this book I was assigned for school called War and Peace. It
is really long, like a thousand pages. So by the time Mom started cooking, I was ready for a
break.
While Mom was fixing supper and Zak was working on his science project, I decided to approach
Dad on the subject of Career Day. He was sitting in the living room, watching one of my
Avengers tapes. He does that all the time. Dad's really just like a big kid sometimes.
Emma Peel was on the screen about to be sliced in half by this giant sawblade. Dad was glued to
the set, leaning forward precariously in his seat when I entered. "Dad," I said, switching the tv
off. "I need to talk to you."
"Hey!" he whined. "Now I'll never know what happened to Mrs. Peel." He began to pout.
"Dad!" I said, bringing him back to reality.
He blinked for a couple minutes before replying, "Yeah, what is it sweety?"
"The principal at my school was wondering if, uh . . ." I paused to twirl some of my brunette hair
around my fingers. Why is it always so difficult for me to talk to him? I mean, he is my DAD for
Pete's sake.
Dad smiled kindly at me. I think I reminded him of Mom as I stood there. I DO look a lot like her
and we both have this silly habit of playing with our hair, though Mom only does it when she's
playing cutesy with him. "Yes??" he asked in the softest voice I'd ever heard him use.
" . . . you could talk about your job at the greeting card company for Career Day," I managed to
blurt out.
Dad looked like I had just struck him across the face. What was wrong? Was the thought of going
to your children's school and giving a short little speech about your profession such a terrible
prospect? My eyes must have betrayed my disappointment, for he said. "I'm sorry, honey, it's just
that . . ." He trailed off with an odd look on his face and a catch in his voice.
"That's ok," I choked bitterly. "I'm sure you have more important things to do that save your
daughter from public humiliation." And I stormed off to my room, where I am now.
What is his problem anyway? I mean, there are only two days a year he notices I'm alive, so why
can't he make the effort to do something important to me? Gr! He makes me so mad!
Mom is calling us for dinner now, so I guess I have to go. I'll just ignore Dad the rest of the
night, I guess.
Jennifer Smart (maybe I should just drop the part of my name related to Dad. After all, Mom is a
Smart and she's terrific.)