June 9th, 1984

Harper's birthday is tomorrow. Grandaddy's had a ton of different people over to deal with the ownership of the estate and such. He's been trying to keep all this from Harper, as she doesn't handle it well. Other people being in Thornton Hall, I mean - to her this place is a sacred, Thornton-only sanctuary.

Grandaddy wants to have a celebration for Harper's thirteenth birthday, despite the circumstances. But because he's been so busy lately, he's asked me to plan it. I agreed, of course, but I don't think she would want to have a birthday party. Even if Mother and Father were still around. Harper's not typically a social girl.

With her birthday being so soon, I knew there wasn't any real big thing I could throw, like the usual celebrational balls that we Thorntons have due to special occasions. I arranged to get a cake, and our close family members will be around per usual, and there will be gifts, but nothing more.

I'm sitting at my desk up in my bedroom. I have a framed photo of Mother and Father that is supposed to be in the living room. I brought it up here to be with me, so they could be with me. In the photograph, Mother and Father just got married. That was years ago...and they both look so young and in love. So happy. So alive.

I suppose now is as good a time as any to find Harper and tell her there will be a small birthday celebration for her tomorrow. I get up from my desk and leave my room, going to the room next door which is hers. I knock lightly.

"Harper?" I ask.

No reply. I push open the door; it's unlocked. She's not inside. Maybe she's at the cemetery again. She's always spent a lot of time there, but recently she's spent more time with the deceased Thorntons than with the living.

This time she's sitting on the ground by a statue. It's currently the afternoon, so the fog hasn't quite settled in yet. Harper's toying with her hair, twisting her black locks into braids.

She looks up at me, noticing my presence. "Dear sweet Charlotte - to what do I owe the pleasure?" Sarcasm weighs down her words.

I crouch down next to her and start helping her braid. "I wanted to talk to you about your birthday tomorrow."

Before I can continue, Harper interrupts. "I don't want anything. I want to sleep all morning then I'd like to spend some time alone, preferably out here. I'm only turning thirteen so you don't have to make a big deal about it."

I sigh. I thought she might react this way. "Harper, Grandaddy thought it might be good for you to have a tiny party. Just with people like Aunt Virginia, and Wade, and nothing too much, okay?"

"Grandaddy doesn't know what's good for me, alright?! I. Don't. Want. A party." She smacks my hand away from her hair, and she gets up, casting a shadow over me.

I stand up next to her. I only have a good inch or two on her, and with her dark eyes staring coldly into mine, I feel very out of control in this moment. "Harper, doll, it'll be alright. It won't last very long, anyway, and -"

"No, Charlotte! Leave me alone."

Before I can say anything, she turns and runs from the cemetery.