Debbie Macomber - Between Friends

Last week Mom sent me down to the mill to collect Dad’s paycheck and I saw Buck. He looked at me and I looked at him. I had my school uniform on then, too. The way he stared made me feel older than sixteen. Mom didn’t see him drop me off at the house today and I didn’t mention that Buck had given me a ride. After I closed the car door, he leaned over and rolled down the side window and said he’d see me around. I know I’ll be looking for him.

March 4th

Religion Class

Jillian,

Guess what? Buck Knowles came home from work with my dad last night and had dinner with the family. He’s the guy I was telling you about who gave me a ride home last month. I haven’t seen him since and I was beginning to wonder if I ever would. Neither Buck nor my dad get along with the foreman and they spent the entire night complaining about him.

The best part is that Buck said he’s coming to pick me up after school, so I won’t need you to give me a ride home. I’ll call you as soon as I can. Buck is so-o-o-o handsome.

Lesley

P.S. I signed up for Driver’s Ed, but I sure won’t be driving any fancy cars!

Murphy’s Texaco Charge Slip May 3, 1965

April 12, 1965

Dear Buck,

Dad said he’d make sure you got my note. I’m sorry to hear about the foreman’s accident. I hope he’s on the mend soon and won’t miss much work. I know how hard it is on our family when Dad’s off for a long period of time. Dad said that both of you would be working a lot of overtime in the next couple of weeks, so I’ll understand if I don’t hear from you for a while.

I did enjoy seeing your apartment and watching television with you. The news about Vietnam doesn’t sound good, does it? Your place is small and a little messy, but that’s okay. Arranging the empty beer cans like a pyramid against the wall is a clever idea. You’re right, I haven’t had much experience with kissing but I did like it. Well, most of it.

Lesley

Murphy’s Texaco Charge Slip May 7, 1965

Dance Card for

Jillian Lawton

Junior/Senior Prom

“Moulin Rouge”

May 15, 1965

1 Scott McDougal

2 Scott McDougal

3 Scott McDougal

4 Marvin Watterman

5 Scott McDougal

6 Scott McDougal

7 Scott McDougal

8 Scott McDougal

9 Buck Knowles

10 Scott McDougal

June 4th

Latin Class

Dearest Lesley,

Can you believe this is our last day of school? As of this afternoon we’re officially Seniors. We should celebrate. Mom and Dad want me to go to Hawaii with them again, which means no real job for me. I hate Hawaii. I don’t understand why we can’t go to San Francisco instead. I’d love it there, I know I would. Did you hear that My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn is starting next Wednesday? Do you want to go or do you have a date with Buck? You’re still seeing a lot of him, aren’t you? Meet me after school and we’ll celebrate being Seniors.

Jillian

French Class

Jillian,

Sorry, I can’t go out with you after school this afternoon. I got a call from the library—I have an interview for a summer job. I’d just about given up hope of getting hired. Say a prayer that I get the job. This is important. Besides, the library pays more than babysitting. I’ll call you the minute I know. Buck said he’d take me to the drive-in tonight. Are you and Scott doing anything special?

Lesley

August 10, 1965

Dear Lesley,

Here I am in Hawaii again. (Sigh.) I wish you were here. I can’t tell you how bored I am with nothing to do but read and laze around the beach every day. I miss you and Scott so much. I’m counting the days until I return. I hope your summer is more exciting than mine. See you soon.

Love,

Jillian

Miss Lesley Adamski,

220 Railroad Ave.,

Pine Ridge, Washington

98005

August 25, 1965

Dear Jillian,

I was so glad to hear from you. Is the water in Hawaii truly that blue? I’m sorry you’re bored, especially when there’s so much happening elsewhere. Did you hear about all the rioting in California? The television news has been full of it every night. Last night they reported that there were 20,000 National Guard troops in Watts. So far, 34 people have died, and after five days of rioting it’s still going on. I didn’t think anything this terrible would ever happen in our country. Mom said it all has to do with civil rights and moral wrongs. I won’t tell you what my dad and Buck said, but I think you can guess.

Every day before I start work at the library, I’ve been checking into different kinds of scholarships. You wouldn’t believe how many are available. Mom’s been encouraging me to apply at the University of Washington. I know your parents are set on you going to Barnard College, but that’s in New York and Jillian, I just can’t afford it. At the same time, I can’t imagine attending college without you.

The Soroptomists offer a thousand-dollar scholarship. A thousand dollars would pay all my expenses for the first year at the state university. I’ve been thinking about it and I’d like to get into the nursing program. My mom thinks nursing would be a good choice for me. My dad doesn’t know anything about this yet. Mom said she’d deal with him when the time came. I’m so excited to think about where we’ll be a year from now. But we have to finish high school first and I’m going to need top grades if I plan on getting any scholarships.

I’m putting every cent I earn into a savings account, but I did buy myself a pair of bell-bottom trousers. Buck said I have a cute behind, and he’d like me to wear miniskirts. Can you imagine what Sister Agnes would say if she saw me in one of those??!

I miss you so much. At least ten times a day I think of something I want to tell you. Five weeks has never seemed so long. I know you’re sick and tired of Hawaii and that you’re missing Scott, but do try and have a good time. Call me the minute you’re back. Until then, I remain…

Your Friend Forever,

Lesley

August 27, 1965

Dear Scott,

Just a postcard to let you know how much I miss you. Before you ask, I’m wearing your class ring so every guy here will know I’m your girl. Tell everyone hello for me. See you soon.

Love,

Jillian

Scott McDougal,

4520 Country Club Lane,

Pine Ridge, Washington

98005

Lesley’s Diary

October 13, 1965

Buck phoned twice, but I had Susan tell him I wasn’t home. I don’t want to talk to him, not after what happened last week. When he picked me up for our date he’d been drinking, but I thought everything would be all right. It wasn’t, and Friday was the worst night of my life.

He said it was my fault, and that I can’t lead a man on and then turn him off. He was so rough and angry and it hurt so badly. Jillian and I used to discuss what it would be like the first time and this wasn’t anything beautiful or tender. Buck hurt me.

I know I should go to confession, but I don’t want to talk about this. Father Morris wouldn’t understand. He’s a man and he’d say I was as much to blame as Buck. It wasn’t my fault! I didn’t do anything to lead Buck into thinking that was what I wanted. We started kissing and when I saw he was getting really worked up I tried to stop, but that only made Buck want me more. Next thing I knew, his hands were on my breasts and then he pinned me down on his davenport and he’d shoved my panties down.