Isabel's Journal: 1-1-17

January 1, 1917

Happy New Year!  It has been exactly one year since I have arrived in America! I have good news and bad news.  The good news is that I have much to report, and the bad news is that I am at the last page of my diary.  My business is going well, so I have enough money to send back to Ma, Annie, and Annette.  Abbey still keeps in touch.  The kittens are all grown up now, and they are all scurrying around Da and my apartment.  Ivy and Lillian both visit my shop regularly, and Da and I are doing well.  I have finally encountered Beatrice, something I have been trying to do ever since I started working at Janah Seams.  I was walking to the market when I ran into her.  “Watch where you’re going!” she yelled at me.  Then she realized who I was, and sneered, “Hey, Isabel," she spat. "Why don't you lick my feet!”  And I said, “You know, Beatrice?  You’re going to have to stop being mean and bossing people around.  Nobody likes you, not even Julia and Louisa.  They just do what you say because they’re afraid of you.  And that’s not a good thing.  Do you want to be hated for the rest of your life?  If not, back off!”  All the things I’ve been meaning to say for one year spilled out of my mouth.  I resisted the urge to put my hands up to my face and cover my mouth, and I waited for Beatrice’s reaction, expecting her to hit me.  My feet were poised, ready to run.  But to me great amazement, Beatrice didn’t do anything!  She just stared at me with her mouth open.  Finally, she sniffed, “Young girls don’t have any manners!”  She turned her back and stalked away, turning every now and then to glare at me.  Even I was shocked!  Well, back to other news.  Da has decided to go back to working at the farm, because he says that his old bones need to work.  I couldn’t stop him, so now he’s back at the farm.  A new shop called The European Bakery has just opened , and they sell many delicious things at very low prices.  I have met Mrs. Brooke and her children!  They stopped to shop at Janah Seams, and I saw them!  You cannot imagine how happy I am.  I have decided to show my diary to Abbey and Da, for they both deserve to know what I think about them.  Da is the best father anybody could ever have, and Abbey is my best friend and companion. I hope all of us shall live to have a nice, long life.