One of my favorite things about writing is exploring moments that happen outside the pages of the novel. This diary entry isn’t included in Unfinished Melody, but it offers a glimpse into thirteen-year-old Emma’s thoughts after one of the happiest evenings of her life. I hope you enjoy this little peek into her world.
Memorial Day Weekend, May 27th, 1988
Dear Diary,
This has been the BEST weekend ever, and it’s only the first day!
Josh came home for Memorial Day weekend. I haven’t seen him in a whole month, and I missed him so much.
After dinner, he asked if I wanted to walk down to the dock with him. He was carrying his guitar, and I kept wondering what he was going to do with it.
We’ve been to the dock lots of times before, but there were always other people there. Tonight it was just us.
When we sat down, he smiled at me and said, “You’re going to love this. I’ve been working on it all week.”
Then he told me I was the first person he wanted to hear it.
Can you believe that?
He started singing, and then he asked me to sing with him.
My heart was beating SO fast.
I love to sing but not in front of people.
Especially not in front of Josh.
But he talked me into it.
He told me he’s heard me singing before when I didn’t even know he was listening.
Eek!
I was so embarrassed.
I took a deep breath, smiled and nodded.
Then he handed me a piece of paper with the words on it.
At first, I just hummed along.
Then I started reading the lyrics and quietly singing with him.
It was a love song.
A LOVE song.
The words were about loving a girl and not wanting her to leave.
Oh my gosh…
Do you think he wrote it about me?
I mean… maybe I’m just dreaming.
But it really felt like he did.
When we finished singing, he smiled at me and said, “Someday, I’ll play this for you again.”
I don’t know why, but when he said that it felt like a promise.
We sat there for a while just looking out at the lake. Neither of us talked very much. We didn’t have to.
“Emma?” he said.
I looked at him.
“Yeah?”
He kept glancing at my lips.
And then…
He kissed me.
Again!!
I thought my heart was going to jump right out of my chest.
He’s kissed me lots of times.
But tonight…
I don’t know.
It just felt different.
We were alone so…
Maybe that’s why it felt different.
My heart was pounding.
When we pulled apart, we just looked at each other for a minute.
Then I heard Mom call, “Emma! Josh!”
I couldn’t help but giggle.
“I guess they’re looking for us,” I said. “We better go back.”
“Yeah,” he said.
He stood up and held out his hand.
I took it.
We walked all the way back to the cabin holding hands.
I didn’t want to let go.
Right before we went inside, he kissed me one more time.
I think this is what having a boyfriend feels like.
Right?
I mean…
He keeps kissing me.
He holds my hand.
He wrote me a song.
So…
I think I’m his girlfriend.
And now everyone is asleep, and I’m writing all of this by flashlight because I don’t ever want to forget tonight.
Have you ever kept a diary or journal? ✍🏻📖
Let me know in the comments.
Curious how their story begins? Read The Prologue first.
If you enjoyed this diary entry, continue the story in Unfinished Melody, available on Amazon