June 28th, 1984
It's been exactly a week since I found out about my inheritance. I know it's not for a few years, but with such an important position in such an important business, I better learn everything I can to be a good leader. Grandpa Jackson takes four painstakingly long hours a day to tell me all the tedious information he can about running the Thornton family company.
During the school year, I'm going to be taking some weekend classes with some people Grandpa Jackson knows about business. I'm ready to take control of my responsibilities to my Thornton name. I understand that I need to do this.
When I was really little, when I didn't understand about the company or the family problems or any of it, I was such a dreamer. I read fairy tales and would stare out my window at the sky, at night when the stars shone so pretty. I would imagine a prince to come save me, but from what I didn't know. I wanted a crown and a fairy Godmother and the whole thing.
But now, my future is completely decided for me. I can't be a teacher, an artist, a doctor - let alone a princess in a story. I don't have much up to my own decisions anymore. My life has been officially set in stone.
This horrid month has been a rollercoaster of pain and loss. Speaking of which, Harper is really losing it. The few times I do see her, she's sitting alone talking to herself. In hushed, quick voices, none matching her own, and when I listen, the things she says don't make much sense.
She's scared, I can tell.
Grandaddy told everyone the news. Now there are no more distant Thorntons calling us up with their delusions that they could inherit the company. Those who came to Mother and Father's funeral just to ask about the business are satisfied. Of course they're upset that me, of all people, a little fifteen year old girl, will rise to power very shortly. Despite which side of the family they're from, all Thorntons are greed stricken.
Which has gotten me thinking about the whole double face to the Thornton family tree. That split...can it be mended? Can I help with that? When I am in charge, I'm not going to favor either side. I love all of my family, no matter what our disastrous past has labeled us as, and I'm going to be a fair and just leader.
I do so hope all this angst between our sides will begin to minimize until it no longer exists.
Harper feels neglected by me, I can tell. She rarely talks to me anymore. I feel so bad, I know I should take more time for her, but I've been so stressed lately. I know she's young and going through a lot, but I feel like I shouldn't always be the one to take care of her. She needs to grow up soon.
God, I hate myself for thinking that.
Next week is Independence Day, which, for us Thorntons, is a grand time to gather here at the Hall and celebrate with each other. People will begin arriving soon, as the ones from farther away tend to stay for a few days. I know Harper won't like this. Especially as of late, with her behavior changing so much.
I decide to spend some time with her today, and take a little break from my studies. Harper isn't in her bedroom, which has been expected, and she isn't in the cemetery, which is unexpected. I sigh; where could she be? I let my mind wander to all the places she could have run off to as I walk around the grounds.
I wish Mother was still here. She'd know how to help Harper; though if she was here, Harper wouldn't be having these problems in the first place. There's not much else I can think of doing, and if Harper wants to hide, then let her hide. I march back to the Hall to return to my books.