I headed back to New Paltz as if nothing had happened. I had sent an email to the Dean stating I may need a semester off due to the death of my mother but hoped to get reinstated, I decided to lay low until I figured something out. Either way I was too ashamed to tell my father I'd taken a leave of absence from school and the main reason being I expected I was expecting.  At least my room is paid for until the rest of the academic year. I planned to keep to myself and stay in my private room off the quad. If my roommates were nosey I'd tell them I'm taking a very light load this semester. Since my mom just died they'd understand.

I laid on my neatly made white daybed and opened a bright pink journal with 70's style daisies all over it.

June 4th, 1997

Dear Future Reader,

Reggie is out gathering wood so I have a few moments alone. It's weird having to steal away moments to myself. I like being married. I think.  Future Reader don't judge me! I'm just settling in on being someone's wife... To quote the kid from "SandLot" FOR EH VER!!!

Seriously, our wedding was perfect. I knew it wouldn't rain. It couldn't. I've always dreamed of getting married as the Supermoon came up over Robert Moses Beach. Kinda corny I know but I've spent the happiest days of my life there. Why shouldn't I have the happiest DAY of my life there? If I could give birth to my children on the beach I would. I believe I'm going to have 4 daughters. I'll name them Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy after my favorite story: Little Women.

(I'm kidding about giving birth on the beach. No one wants sand down there!!!)

Meg closed the journal. "Oh Mom... How did you know you'd have 4 daughters? And why did you name us after the daughters in LITTLE WOMEN? That's SO corny."

I immediately texted Jo explaining how mom knew she'd have 4 daughters.

Jo texted her back. "It could be a coincidence. Keep reading."

I re-opened mom's journal.

I love the beach and my new husband loves the woods. He surprised me with a log cabin as a wedding gift. On the surface it's all very romantic...It's even on Mary Smith Road and supposedly the coordinates are my birthday? Wow...  He says it's our little place, far from civilization. Did I mention there is no electricity? Zilch! The only running water is a hand pump. You know like the one from Helen Keller? There's also a woodburning stove so that's convenient--not. We've brought some battery operated lanterns and candles but I can barely see to read a book at night. I guess we don't do much reading. It is our honeymoon after all.

I slammed the book shut.

"Ew."