Daisy in the Fringe

Dear Diary,

Very bad news today.  Daddy fell off his horse and hit his head hard.  He’s back here now in bed, and the Doc says he ain’t going to make it.

Dusty was with him.  It must have been awful for her, but she says she’s okay.  Meanwhile, Momma is in bed with a fit – she just can’t stop sobbing and saying what will become of us all and this kind of thing always happens to her.  I’m just trying my best to do what I can.  Doc says someone has to feed Daddy, but Dusty says it’s just too depressing and all, so I guess I’ll do it.

Dear Diary,

Nothing much new today.  Momma was having one of her spells, so I rubbed her feet a little before she took her nap.  I then spent a little time on my sewing, and made us up some pork and greens for dinner.

Dusty was out with Daddy all day.  She says she wants to be a ranch-hand, just like him.  I don’t think they let girls be ranch hands, but she says no way she’s going to be like Momma.  She also says that she figures I’m just going to be a housewife, but I figure there’s nothing wrong with that.  If I can ever get a dowry, that is – Daddy says he’s saving up, but Momma says he just spends all his money at the bar every night.

Anyway, the water’s boiling on the stove, so I gotta go now.