June 10th, 1973

Dear Diary,

I thought about running away today; which, for me, is unusual since I always try to look on the bright side of things, but let's face it, there is no bright side to my current situation. Trust me, I looked. Unless I can magically make myself totally forget Keith Partridge and that my mother is the most unreasonable person on the planet, I am going to be miserable.

At least Candice is on my side. She called me today after church to see if I was alright. She told me that she thought my mother was brash and unreasonable and then instantly apologized. I told her there was no need for the apology; currently I felt the same way. She then asked me what I was going to do and I told her the truth, I really didn't know.

I guess I could accuse my mother of always picking on me, but she also banned Ricky from playing with Chris and Tracy. She seems to be returning to her original thought thatall'show business people' are bad. I can't believe it! Right now I don't even wish to be related to her. The Partridge Family are the nicest neighbors we've ever had and Mom's just against them because they're in 'show business'. She doesn't even give them a fair chance; one mistake and she's against them all over again. Her opinion is as delicate as walking on eggshells. Sometimes I wish they weren't so famous. Maybe then, Mom wouldn't be so critical and I could date Keith.

Just Maybe.

Well, I don't really have any more to say, so here's to tomorrow. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be a totally flop like today. I don't normally like self-pitying, but the current time seems appropriate.

Sadly,

Donna


June 11th, 1973

Dear Diary,

Things are finally beginning to make sense. I caught up with Laurie today after school and asked her if we could talk. I ended up asking her about Saturday's drama and she instantly knew of what I was referring.

I guess she had been in the kitchen with her mother when mine rudely barged in the back door. I guess Mom was relatively calm at first demanding why Shirley had fed 'her son' lunch without her permission. Shirley said that Ricky claimed my mother had said it was alright. Then the fireworks started and Mom asked Shirley if she was calling 'her son a liar'. Of course Shirley defended herself and then Laurie said the conversation somehow made it's way to the topic of Keith and the band and Mom was saying all sorts of terrible things about both topics. I don't know why she singled Keith out. Maybe it's because he's the lead singer? Or maybe it's because she knows what he means to me? I sure hope it's the first, because I couldn't imagine how terrible the second would be! Like I said before, if my mother even tried to involve herself in my dating life, I would get the sudden need to disappear. Maybe I'd even run away. Where to, I don't know, but anywhere as long as it's far away from Mrs. Stevens (formally known as 'Mom').

Pondering,

Donna

P.S. I'm trying to come up with a plan that will get me to the concert this coming weekend. I'm debating whether I should lie to Mom and tell her I'm taking Ricky to a movie. However, if I do that, I'd have to swear Ricky to secrecy. If he stared blabbing about the concert to Mom, I would so be caught and probably grounded. Well, maybe I'll do it, maybe I won't. For now, I'll just pray that Mom will forget all this silly nonsense and tell me I can go and that she was sorry.

This whole argument is silly. I have a feeling she really doesn't have anything against the Partridge Family. That's why she has to exaggerate every mistake they commit in order to prove her crazy theory that all 'show business people' are bad news. I wish she'd just drop that. Just because Dad was that way, doesn't mean everyone is. Especially not the Partridge Family!!