Chapter three
As the month of June progressed so did Kathleen and Lucy's friendship. They shopped together, went to the library together, they even read books together! One day near the end of June Kathleen called Lucy.
"Hey Luce!" She said.
"Hi Katie," Lucy answered.
"Do you wanna come over this afternoon?"
"What would we do? I think it's going to rain."
"We can explore the attic! I have to show you all the old fashioned dress-up clothes we have."
"OK, I'll see you about 2:00?"
"OK. Great!"
Kathleen hung up the phone and smiled. They were going to have so much fun-as long as Richard stayed out of the attic. It would be just like him to pull a prank and try to scare them.
"Ricky!" Kathleen called. "Stay out of the attic this afternoon OK?"
"Why would I wanna go in the attic?" Richard called back.
"Never mind. Just stay out!"
"OK, I will!"
Kathleen sighed with relief. Part one complete. Part two would be complete in…..thirty minutes when Lucy arrived. Kathleen decided to pass the time with her newest Agatha Christie novel, "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd." Lost in the book Kathleen didn't notice the front door open. She didn't see Lucy slip inside……….until suddenly…….
"Boo!"
"Ahh! Lucy!" Kathleen cried. "How many times have I told you not to do that?"
"Sorry. Couldn't help it!" Lucy answered smiling mischievously.
"Come on, let's go up to the attic."
"OK!"
As the girls climbed the long staircase that led to the attic Kathleen was thinking of how much Lucy had changed in a month. She smiles a lot now. She's definitely happier. I just wish we could find something out about her relatives. I can't believe she doesn't have any. Kathleen pushed open the attic door and switched on the light.
"Here we are!" She said cheerfully. "There are dress-up clothes and things in all of these big trunks. Come on!" The two girls opened trunk after trunk looking for just the right dress.
"Ohh. I love this one!" Lucy said holding up a long, lavender gown. "This must have been a ball gown. It certainly looks like one."
"Yes it does," Kathleen agreed. "Take a look at this one!" She said holding up a matching blue one.
"It's beautiful!" The girls put on the dresses and admired themselves in front of a long mirror in the corner, before going back to digging through the trunks.
"What's this trunk?" Lucy asked dragging out a small water-stained green leather trunk.
"I don't know," Kathleen said looking at it.
"Well, why don't we open it?"
"OK. Together! On three, one, two, three!"
The girls pushed open the top and looked inside. Neatly folded on the top was a curious looking outfit.
"I think it's a colonial riding habit!" Kathleen said excitedly. "I've seen ones like this in my history books. She carefully lifted it out and set it on the floor. The only other thing in the trunk was a small leather book.
"I think it's a diary," Lucy said picking it up.
"What's in it?" Kathleen asked. "Read some!"
Lucy opened the book to the beginning and started to read:
"Dear Diary, February 4th 1775
That sounds so silly doesn't it? I think from now on I shall drop the "Dear Diary" part. Anyway. My name is Felicity Ann Merriman. I live in Williamsburg Virginia. My father's name is Edward Merriman, he owns a general store. My mother Lily manages the house. The children are Me, Felicity age eleven, Nan age eight, William, age four. I have a horse named Penny, aye she's beautiful! All shiny like a copper penny. At one time she belonged to a horrible man named Jiggy Nye, I tamed her and freed her. Oh bother! Mother's calling. I think I'll call you Betsy.
Goodnight Betsy,
Lissie."
"Wow," Kathleen said. "Look at the date! 1775. That's when the Declaration of Independence was signed!"
"Yes," Lucy said. "But listen it goes on!" She skipped several entries, then continued reading"
"Betsy, June 27 1777
Ben, Father's apprentice is very handsome. I find myself in a flutter when I'm near him. I wonder if it's love? Oh bother. I have no time for things like love! Besides Ben is leaving soon to join the Continental Army. I'm very proud of him but…what if he gets hurt? I couldn't bear it if I never saw him again! Oh Betsy what shall I do?
Love, Lissie"
Lucy skipped a few more entries then kept reading"
"Betsy,…………………………………………………………………April 4 1782
Ben and I are now married. Oh Betsy I'm so happy! I knew I loved him that day three years ago when we found he'd been wounded, but I doubted he'd return my feelings. I'm so glad he did! I can't believe it! I can finally sign my name "Mrs. Benjamin Davidson'. Felicity Davidson! Oh Betsy!
Love, Lissie (Davidson!)"
Kathleen looked at Lucy who had gone pale.
"My last name is Davidson!" She whispered looking at the book.
"That's my mother's maiden name as well," Kathleen said. "Coincidence?"
"And the diary? That's no coincidence!"
"You're right. Let's go ask my mom."