The Unbecoming of Catrina Grace Baker

Entry 1

Hi. I guess that’s how you start a diary? I’m sorry. I must be very bad at this. I’ll call you Bob. Okay, Bob, I just moved to this new town and it’s really weird. I mean, obviously because I don’t know anyone. I hope you’re going to be my sort-of-friend. Like, the one that doesn't really exist, but I still tell everything to. I guess an imaginary friend. This is sort of weird, considering that I am almost 16 and not 6.

Also, I’m starting this new school Monday. I know it sounds a bit childish, but I really want Mom to walk me in. I feel like it’s my first day of kindergarten and I am absolutely terrified. Of what, you may ask. The answer, I don’t know. 

Any ways, I’m at this really neat diner. It’s old-fashioned with the booths and a juke box and everything! Awesome, right? I heard that the food was amazing here, too- the greasiest fries and juiciest burgers in town with a little Cajun kick. It’s a family-owned diner called Lucy’s.

“A dollar fifty,” the girl behind the counter says. I hand her three bills and asked if I could have another one. She nods and I continue to spin in my chair. God, those peanut butter banana shakes are to die for. She pushes the shake towards me and I catch it. I wrap my fingers around the cool glass and the condensation runs down, each droplet racing each other towards the bottom. The bell above the door rings and Mom walks in. “It’s so hot out there,” she says, reaching me. “Well, mother, that’s what you get for moving to the bottom of America,” I sassed. She gives me a stern look in which I returned with a meek smile. “I love you.” “I love you, too.”

"You have to get one of these, Momma," I said with the straw in my mouth. She rolled her eyes and took a sip. Her eyebrows raised. "Not bad, huh?" I asked. She nodded and drank some more. "Nope. You can get your own," I stuck my tongue out. She rolled her eyes and kissed my forehead. "You're silly. Come on, finish up and get in the car. Your everyone are waiting for us at the house."

Truth fully, I liked this little town. It was nice and quiet. I was just upset that they had just swooped all of us off to this place, leaving everything behind. All of my friends, the familiarity, the place I was born and grew up in- all gone and there's nothing I can do about it but suck it up and move on. I mean, it's good for us. Right, Bob? I guess I'll get used to it. It's like a big new adventure.

Anyway, this is a lovely place. Even the name sounds like a dream- Rosewood. It's right out of New Orleans, just off the bayou and into the country side. Momma picked this house with Dad's help, of course. It's a plantation house that's absolutely gorgeous and spacious. White walls and cherry wood floors. There are pillars in the front of the house. The porch is wide and you could sit there and look over at the water. It's only the first day, but can you imagine what the sunsets and sunrises would look like? How beautiful would that be?

Do you know what I remember about the old house? I remember birthdays and holidays. How the house itself felt warm and alive with love. At this new place, although gorgeous, it feels empty and cold. It's just so barren and I really don't like that feeling. 

I have to go now, Bob. We just got to the house. The movers just got here and we have to unpack everything. I want the loneliness of this house to go away. 

Love,

Catrina Grace Baker