July 3rd, 1973

Dear Diary,

Today was marvelous! Mom went out shopping with Candice's mother so I was home alone with Ricky. I spent my first hour of freedom mopping the kitchen floor (Mom asked me to do that before she left), but then, sometime around eleven, Keith showed up with Chris, Danny, and Tracy. They were going to go to the zoo or something in a nearby town and wanted to see if Ricky and I wanted to go too (I guess Mrs. Partridge and Laurie are out shopping too and Keith, like me, was stuck babysitting). I of course accepted, after checking that I had the money.

But then Tracy asked if my mother would mind. Thinking about it, yes, my mother would mind, but she wasn't there and besides, I figured it was no different then accidentally running across them at the zoo; so I told Tracy, no, it wouldn't matter. This made Ricky, Tracy, and Chris very happy. They seemed really anxious to get to the zoo. Well, except for Danny who said he was going just because he had to.

Since we were without a car, we all had to take the bus. Fortunately, I had the money for that too (good thing I've been saving my allowance) and we all got seats together, so I got to sit right next to Keith. I think I was smiling the whole trip. Not to mention, I also got some good news. Keith says that his mother personally invited my mother to their next concert. I'd still have to provide the ticket, but I wouldn't have to ask myself. Thank goodness! Also, I guess because the bus is still getting repaired, the local concert was moved up a week. That means I only about a week to wait.

When we got to the zoo, we paid our entrance fees (Keith even paid for Ricky and I; I thought that was very nice) and then began walking around the premises. Chris wanted to see the lions and Tracy was sold on seeing the elephants, so we decided to take a direction that would take us past the African animals first.

Even at a zoo, I couldn't be happier! The sun was shining, and as we were following the kids around the zoo, Keith was holding my hand. He was actually holding my hand! It was wonderful! The zoo was actually really fun and when we paused on a bench for a break, Keith finally mentioned a piece of his plan to me.

He told me that after the concert, he wanted Mom, Ricky and I to stick around a little longer. He recommended that I suggest to Mom that we wait until the other people clear before leaving the auditorium to avoid crowds. I nodded and agreed, but then all he said was 'good' and left it at that. Good? I wondered why he wanted us to stick around? When I looked to his face for a clue, all I saw was a satisfied smile creasing his lips. Good. I'm not sure what it means, but I'm sure something's in store for after the concert. A confrontation? I sure hope not!

Anyhow, after the zoo, we all went out for ice cream and then took the bus back to San Pueblo. Keith held my hand the whole time and that made me feel good, like he was expressing to the world that we were together. However, on the bus ride home, I'll admit a certain anxiety made the trip seem longer then it really was. I was hoping and praying Mom wouldn't be home when we arrived. I mean it was already three o' clock and Mom had left at ten. I wasn't sure how long she'd be out shopping.

However, despite my sneakiness of going out with Keith and letting Ricky spend some time with the Partridge kids, I was blessed. Mom wasn't home when we got back and I was able to say goodbye to the Partridge family properly. I said bye to each of the kids and smiled warmly at Keith. I'm not really expecting a kiss anymore. He must have his reasons and spending an entire four hours with him was reward enough. He said he'd catch me later and then we each went our separate ways. Ricky was silent until we entered the house and I closed the door.

"Donna?" He said, "I think he likes you."

Even though I did throw a shoe at my little brother, I'll have to admit I was really pleased that he had said that. It made me realize that I wasn't the only one suspecting that. If someone else saw it too then that meant Keith actually did like me.

Ricky dodged the shoe and was laughing as he escaped up the stairs to the safety of his bedroom. I then headed for the kitchen and spent the rest of my day cleaning the house, feeling a little guilty about disobeying Mom's decree and therefore feeling like I owed her something (and I wasn't about to give an apology and admit to what I did). Besides, what we did was harmless. A trip to the zoo and ice cream? It was perfectly fine. I don't see anything wrong with it. It was actually beautiful. I think I'll remember today for a very very long time.

Dreamily,

Donna


July 4th, 1973

Dear Diary,

Today is the Fourth of July and it was one of the most boring Independence Day celebrations I have ever had. Mom made red, and blue Jell-O and put whipped cream on top and while watching her do that, I watched out the window as the neighbors were having BBQs and setting off small fireworks in the road.

I spent my entire day at the window or on the front porch with Ricky watching the neighbors enjoy their time together. I guess Mrs. Partridge had invited our family to their Fourth of July celebration, but Mom declined saying she already had 'other' plans. I don't know what 'other' plans she had, but they were obviously canceled… I can't believe she lied!

Anyhow, at about noon I caught sight of Keith and Danny in their front yard and waved. They waved back, and I'll bet they would have come over to talk, if Mom hadn't walked out onto the porch right then, offering Ricky and I some of the Jell-O. I took a bowl, though I wasn't very hungry.

Come the nighttime, I watched fireworks from my bedroom window. Ricky joined me for a while, but then fell asleep on my bed at about eight. In order to not disturb him, I decided to watch the rest of the neighborhood show from the porch swing on our back porch. I brought a blanket and curled up onto the cushion. Everything was so quiet and peaceful; I'll have to say that this was the best moment of my Independence Day.

And it got better! No more than fifteen minutes later (I am not joking), Keith showed up with a cake. I don't know if he knew I was going to be out there or what, but he said he hoped it wasn't too late, but his Mom sent a cake over for our family. I instantly took the cake and said thanks, I'd take it to Mom (she was watching TV in the family room). He nodded and I entered the house and set the cake on the counter with the small card that came along with it. It is then, I remembered the extra jam Grandma Rose had sent home with me and I rushed upstairs to fetch it. I hurried back to the back porch and, as I expected, Keith was still there, sitting on the swing. I handed him the jam, telling him it was from a fan:

K: Did you make it?
D: No, my grandmother did. That's where I was all last week, you remember?
K: (Nods)
D: Well, she likes your music and she heard you were my neighbors and sent home a jar for your family.
K: Looks good.
D: Oh, it is. Strawberry.
K: (Smiles)

I then sat with him on the swing and we watched the firework show together. Okay, so I was spending time with Keith again behind my mother's back (literally, because she was sitting right inside on the family room couch), but I wouldn't change it for anything. Besides, he's the one that came over with a cake.

I hope Mom doesn't ask how it got on our counter. If she does, I'll just tell her… 'Shirley sent it over yesterday afternoon', because she did. I don't really have to say who delivered it or that I spent an hour watching fireworks with the messenger and he had his arm around my shoulders. No, I don't need to mention that. Besides, I think it's chocolate cake, which is her favorite, so not too much complaining is going to occur.

Actually, I think Mrs. Partridge is being very clever under the circumstances: being friendly to Mom even though she's not getting the same sort of treatment in return, and then sending Keith over with a chocolate cake. I wonder if she knows about Keith and I? I wonder if Keith has ever mentioned me to his mother as far as being interested in me goes? I mean I know he and his mother are close, I'm sure she'd know something. And I do thank her for the cake.

So anyways, a little after nine, Keith went home and wished me a happy Independence Day, which I returned. I spent a few minutes more on the porch swing, daydreaming, before heading in. So, yes, this Fourth of July started out boring, but the ending wasn't so bad. Actually, I'd probably do it all again for another afternoon like tonight.

Thoughtfully,

Donna