I’m not trying to pressure you or anything, Denny, so lay off. I was just trying to ask your advice. You’ve already told me you weren’t interested in marriage, so I stopped asking long ago. But it’s three years since the tragedy and it’s time you began to heal. I’m not saying marriage—not yet, at least—but the dating we’ve done is very therapeutic for you and I think we should do more of it. For your sake, not just for mine. Well that’s my opinion, so make of it what you want. You can be a little pig-headed, Denny, but I can forgive a man a little stubbornness. Read the rest of this entry »
Lois: Ease up, will you?
10/30/2009
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Alicia: The virgins of Murphys?
10/28/2009Don’t you think that sounds a little provocative? I couldn’t see it on a sweatshirt and I don’t think I’d like to get a reputation for being too pure, even though I told my mom I’d never go that far with anyone till I was married. Or at least engaged. I didn’t say the engaged part to her because that would just get her lecturing me, and I scream bloody murder when she tells me what I should and shouldn’t do. But I’m done with boys for life—well, at least this year anyway. There isn’t a single one that interests me, they’re all so stuck up with their pimples and all they talk about is cars. Actually, I can’t wait till we finish driver’s ed so I can get my permit. My dad even hinted he might let me drive the family chariot once I’m old enough, though mom is dead set against it. How do your parents feel about you driving? Read the rest of this entry »
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Roseanne: This is a big deal
10/26/2009Hey Ali, did you hear that Roger is doing it with Johanna? I swear! I’m not lying to you and that’s exactly what I heard from Merry. She said she heard it from Lisa, and Lisa never lies about anything. Except for having that miscarriage or abortion or whatever, which she said never happened but I happen to know differently. I heard all the gruesome details from Emily, who’s Lisa’s best friend, and every last word of it is true even though Lisa denies it. But how else could you explain why she “disappeared” for a week last semester? If I ever had something like that I wouldn’t tell anyone but you, which is God’s honest truth. Though I can’t imagine having to go through something as terrible as that. But that’s why I wouldn’t go all the way, like Matt kept pressuring you. He’s really such a pushy kid. I’m glad you got rid of him. This summer it’ll be just the old crowd down at the swimming hole, the virgins of Murphys. Isn’t that a super name for us? Read the rest of this entry »
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Alicia: Springtime blues
10/23/2009Oh God, how do I get through the entire spring till it’s summer? I hate school except for the cheerleading, which is the only redeemable thing about my life at the moment. Ever since Matt and I split up boys have been a drag. He just wanted to go too far for my taste. But aside from the after school practice, it’s so boring having to sit through English and math and history. I don’t even know what we’re studying anymore. I’m really lucky Roseanne helps me out with the homework answers so I don’t have to tax my brain doing the problems. But I’m counting the days till it’s summertime and we can all hang out at the swimming hole. Doesn’t that sound just fab? Read the rest of this entry »
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Jeremy: My real ambition
10/21/2009The only thing I’m sure about is saving up my money for a motor scooter. All I really want is wheels so I can escape this place when I want to. Of course, having a motor scooter will make my delivery route a lot easier. And it’ll be a lot more fun. But I need to get out and see the world, or at least more than Murphys and Sheep Ranch and Angels Camp. Sometimes I take a long bike ride down to Columbia to play the video games, and a scooter would make that go a lot quicker. Just to feel the wind blowing through my hair would be wonderful. But it’ll take two years at the rate I’m going to save up enough for something even reconditioned. I ought to think about getting another part-time job, though I haven’t a clue what that might be. Do you know of anyone who’d like to hire a reliable, inquisitive fifteen year old? Read the rest of this entry »
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Denny: I’m a little crazy with work
10/19/2009Lois, I’m sorry but I can’t make any plans for tonight. I’ve got a load of things I’ve got to pick up in Sacramento, and I have no idea when I’ll be home. I know this is the second time this week I’ve begged off, but don’t think I’m putting you off. You know how much I enjoy your pretty face (and very tasty lips), but you’ve got to realize a printer has a busy life and The Gazette means everything to me. But while I’ve got you online, I was wondering if you knew anything about a guy called Lester Crump? He lives down on Frenchman’s Creek, has that trailer with the single palm tree looming overhead. Do you know who I mean? He’s thinking of raising miniature pigs, and I was wondering if you knew anything about him. I’m only asking because you seem to know so much through Galvin’s. Are you free any evenings early next week? If I get this rush job done by the weekend, I’d like to take an evening off and just relax with you. Maybe we can see a movie in Angels. Let me know. Read the rest of this entry »
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Lester: A letter to my brother
10/16/2009Dear Herman, I’m perfectly healthy so stop questioning my judgment. You’ve got a bad back, but do I nag you about lifting boxes? So I’ve got asthma; big deal. I can raise these animals just fine and it’ll give me a chance to make some money. It’d mostly be feeding them and cleaning their litter box, which I understand they adapt to very easily. And making contacts to sell them. So it’s not a lot of work, and I don’t see how my having a little asthma has anything to do with it. I simply have to do something with my days except reading and playing solitaire. I never realized how dull retirement could be. You’re a golfer, so I guess you don’t get bored. But golfing never interested me, and I couldn’t afford it even if it did. Read the rest of this entry »
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Eliza: The dreariness is getting to me
10/14/2009Dear Diary, The rose bed is pruned but I don’t look forward to growing them this year. For the last eight years, though everyone calls me “The Rose Lady of Calaveras County,” they only know me for my Wise Portia but I feel so tired and depressed about starting them up this year. I don’t know why I should feel so sluggish about everything. I continually dust the rooms, at least once a week, and I feed Signora, but the whole routine of it all feels so useless. My whole life seems to be falling apart and I can’t bring myself to do anything about it. No one calls anymore, I’ve stopped going to church functions, and I believe the bottom line is that I’m bored. What on earth can I do to perk myself up? Read the rest of this entry »
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Jeremy: A little about me
10/12/2009I used to think of becoming a mathematician, but I have too many doubts and not enough certainty.
I live in Murphys, California, which is a kind of sleepy Gold Rush town on Route 49. I deliver newspapers, mostly Sacramento and Santa Rosa papers, all over town and to some folks in Angels Camp, where Mark Twain set his great story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” Read the rest of this entry »
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