text: R.L. Galluzzo The Diary of Patricia DeLansae                              1804 A tragic story of loss, abandonment, and reunitment Thanks J.A. Acero 
   
   
     
     
         February 26, 1804 
   Today Ma had a baby boy, Micheal DeLansae. He is a very beautiful baby. Ma said he is more precious than the girls, I suppose that is because he is smaller than them. 
   I have four brothers,(not including Micheal) Christopher, Joseph, Tyler, and Anthony. I also have seven sisters, Louise, Elliot, Josephine, Bethany, Katherine, Heather, and Isabel. All together we are Pa, Ma, Anthony, Josephine, Elliot, Isabel, Tyler, Katherine, Joseph, Patricia(me), Christopher, Bethany, Heather, Louise, and Micheal. Big family huh? 
   Because of my big family we are all home schooled. 
  February 29, 1804 
   Micheal is now three days old. He is very healthy and we are very lucky to have him. Pa told me that his youngest brother died of the measles when he was just a couple days old because nobody bothered to wash their hands when they touched him. I don't know why he told me that, probably so I will be more careful and protective of Micheal. 
   Today me, Christopher, Katherine, Bethany, and Joseph are going hunting. I am very nervous since this is my first time. Pa said to get as much kill as we can. He said we are saving up for the harsh winter, kind of like squirrels or bears. When I told him winter had past, he got this very stern look on his face and said to go do my chores. Pa has never used that look before, at least, not with me. I knew something was going on but I was too afraid to ask.  
                               February 29, 1804  
                              (later in the day) 
   Hunting was great! Other than the fact that a pack of four wolves were following us, was awesome. We got two of the wolves and left traps for the other ones. When we came back Pa was so proud he said we get to pick what we are eating for dinner tonight. 
   I don't know why but we agreed to rabbit stew with wolf legs. I am just going to eat rabbit stew because I know that Anthony, Elliot, and Josephine have been dying to eat wolf for months. I have to go finish my chores now. The cows aren't going to milk themselves. 
  March 5, 1804 
   Yay! Today I turn 13! Well, actually me and Joseph turn 13. Pa says when it's one of our birthdays we only have to do three chores, AND we get to pick them. I am going to tell Pa that I want to milk the cows, vaccum the house, and hunt. Better go before Joseph takes my jobs. 
   Well, Joseph took one job of mine, vaccuming the house, we both were picked to hunt, I milked the cows, and instead of vaccuming the house , I planted seeds. 
   Today was fun, after our three chores, me and Joseph wandered in the woods setting our own traps. Until Pa sent Anthony, and Josephine to come looking for us 'cause Pa had some very big news. 
  March 6, 1804 
    I am fuming! After I turn 13 Pa gives me the worst news ever!! Pa said that we are moving. Why would we do that? I mean, Micheal isn't even a year old. Anyway we are taking a wagon. I hate wagons. When everything is packed up, there's no room inside for you to sit. 
   Our house is perfectly fine. Everyone has their own room, Even Micheal and, like I said, he's not even a year old! 
  May 13, 1804 
    Sorry I haven't been writing for a while, I'm just so depressed. OK. I'll tell you the story. So there I am, setting the table for dinner when I hear a shriek. 
    My Ma  is laying down face front on the floor, Pa's fist was in the air, and Ma had blood on her cheek. You figure out how the story went. I'm to sad to tell it over again. 
    I blame Pa for what happened. if he never would of raised his hands at Ma she would still be alive. Yes, that is correct, Ma died late last month. 
    I have been so busy trying to raise enough money for the funeral I am sunburned in spring. My friends always taunt me about my poorness. Pa says that if they do that they are not real friends. I am not taking his word for it. You want to know why? When Pa married Ma, he said they would be together until the day HE died. Know look, Ma's dead and he's still living. 
   
   
   
   
   
   Dear Patricia, 
     You can't blame me for what happened. Your mother knows the anger issues I have when it comes to money. I didn't even know you were to sad to write down the words Internal bleeding, as apposed to how she died. Sorry about that. You know how bad I am with words. 
    And, about that day when I told you to ' Just go and do your chores'? We were really saving food for our move. It's almost a six month trip. Half a year.  
    We won't stay here because there's no life for us here. We might have the best house in town but were so poor we're sending our 13 year old children hunting while I work on the farm all day, and Ma tends to the baby and cleans the house with you. 
    Face it, Patricia, we need a better life, and you know it. 
   
       May 14, 1804 
  I am fuming,...again.The fact that my father thinks he can just waltz in my room without me even knowing, Take my diary, read all of it, and even write a letter addressed to me like we're miles away from each other.  
    He thinks after what he did to Ma, we're still moving. Well he can forget about that! If he tries to get me on that wagon I will jump off when he isn't looking. Take that you diary knapping, Mama killing, letter writing,... THIEF!!! 
     And on top of all that he thinks I'M going to apologize? Well, he's got another thing coming! Pa killed Ma and I have to apologize. Pa says we're still moving and I have to apologize. Pa is the most self centered person I've ever met in my entire life, and trust me, I have met a lot of people.  
  June 15, 1804 
   Sorry for my outburst yesterday... it's just that Pa made me so angry. 
    We are moving starting our journey to Oregon... wish us luck. I have to go pack the last of our things in the wagon...Bye. 
   
   
   Publication Date: December 22nd 2010 https://www.bookrix.com/-raquel5551