Archive, sure, why not.

Warnings: None. A/U story PG P/K

Summary: This one is related to, but not connected to, my other 2 DYB stories.

Do You Believe #3 - A Diary

March 1st, 1846

Dear Diary,

Mother says someday i will be able to read this, and remember how happy i was in my youth. You are the most ridiculous gift i have ever received.

Harry Michaelson, Jr.

January 27th, 1847

I'd forgotten i had this thing. There's a new boy in school today. He's awfully shy, though. Mother hates it when i say Awfully. She says i should invite him to join in some of our games, but i don't think he'd enjoy them. He doesn't seem very athletic.

Harry.

April 11th, 1847

Tom pulled a horrible prank on the teacher today. He put honey all over her seat, so when she sat down she got all covered in it. School was let out early so she could go home and get a bath. It was the funniest thing that's ever happened at school. Tom has to sit in at lunch for the rest of his life, though. He's got more guts than i gave him credit for.

Harry.

August 23rd, 1847

I turn 15 today! Tom made me a slingshot. It's a really good one, too. I' going home with him after school to practice with it. He's a lot better shot than i am.

Harry

December 15th, 1847

Christine is really sick. Father is taking her and Mother into town to the hospital. He says everything will be alright s soon as she sees the doctor, but i don't think i believe him. I'm supposed to stay here and guard the house, but it's strange when the house is empty. I think i'll have Tom over, even if Mum doesn't approve of him. His parents don't care, anyway, and i really like him.

Harry

December 18th, 1847

Christine is still at the hospital. Mum came home for a bit, to rest, but i haven't seen father at all. Tom hasn't gone home in three days, and his parents haven't even noticed. I didn't know Tom could cook.

Harry

December 23rd, 1847

Christine is getting better. She won't be home in time for Christmas, but the doc says she's sure to recover now, if she doesn't have a relapse. I kind of actually miss the little pain. Tom wants to make her something special, but i don't know what it should be. what do girls like, anyway? I think mother is starting to like Tom. Except she keeps giving me these looks, like she does when she wants me to gather the eggs and she knows i'm never going to.

Harry

January 15th, 1848

Well, Christmas is over. Not many presents this year, because Christine's illness was so expensive, but Tom made everyone some real good stuff. Mother got a big wooden cutout of the whole family, Christine got a doll, he gave Father a headboard, which is something mother's been nagging him to make for years, and me.... well, mine was more unusual. I'd tell you but i think Christine has been reading this thing. There's apple butter on some of the pages.

Harry

January 18th, 1848

Do you know what happens to little girls who read other poeple's' private things, Christine? Monsters come out and EAT THEM!

The Big Bad ANGRY Brother

January 18th, 1848 (later)

I think i made myself clear. Mother yelled at me for scaring her, of course, but she'll get over it. And Christine got punished for reading my diary, too. Tom wants to build a house up on the prairie somewhere. He could do it. Tom can build anything. He wants me to go with him. What would i do on the prairie? i think i want to teach school. I honestly can't think what to do with myself once school is over. I'm really too old to be going now. It's not as though i'm really learning anything; half the time i'm correcting the teacher. Tom doesn't even go any more, he just stays outside and whittles until i'm through, and then we walk home together. He always wants to be wherever i am. Not that i mind, exactly, but Mother keeps hinting that i should be spending more time with the others. Tom's more fun. and smarter, and more interesting. He's even better looking.

Harry

March 25th, 1849

Tom is leaving next month. I'll follow him as soon as i get my teaching license, and he has at least one room up for us to live in. That won't be much of a change, he's already living in my room. He hasn't been to his parent's house in over a year. So much has happened since i wrote last. I'm 16 now, and Tom is 17.

Tom kissed me last night. He sleeps in the bed with me now, after my parents are asleep.

Harry

April 9th, 1849

I've stopped going to church. The Pastor keeps giving me horrible looks and giving sermons on... on things that are none of his business.

Tom is leaving tomorrow. i'll give hi a month, and then i'm going after him, house or no house. I can't stay here any longer without him. M parents are ... well, at least i know they won't disown me over this, but the rest of the town... I actually think mother is accepting it. Father just pretends it doesn't exist. Mother did insist that Tom sleep in the living room now. It'll be a relief to live away from everyone, even if it means an hour in the sleigh every winter morning. Tom will be driving at any rate, so i can go to sleep.

Harry

April 15th, 1849

It's been over two weeks, and i can't even go out in public any more. It's as if thy were all afraid of Tom, and now that he's gone, everyone sees it as their duty to "save me".

I need him to be with me. I'm not even sure where he is. He writes me every day, but hardly ever from the same town. I could take the train to the last one, but then how would i find him?

Harry

April 20th, 1849

It doesn't matter. I can't stay here. I'm leaving tomorrow night; taking a train to the last postmark i have. I'll just ask around after that. My parents know where i'm going, if Tom comes home for me, they can tell him where i went.

Harry

May 18th, 1849

The postmaster here says Tom passed through less than a week ago. I'm almost out of money, but he's headed almost due west, so if i spend the last of it on a train ticket, i should be able to catch up with him; maybe even pass him up and wait for him. It's warm enough to sleep outside, and i'm still a good shot with a sling.

Harry

May 25th, 1849

I found him! He says we'll settle down right here, if that will make me happy. It's miles from anywhere, but not so far that there isn't a doctor if we need one. And i can finally sleep in the same bed with him an not worry what anybody thinks. Just as soon as he builds us one. He promises to have one room up by winter, and then we'll work on getting supplies through Winter before we do a bigger house. There's a little school nearby, and a lot of children here who are willing to learn. I have never been happier in my life.

Harry.