The idea for this story began in Professor Susan Juby's class, Writing for Young Adults. One of the books for assigned reading was The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4, by Sue Townsend. In Townsend's book I was inspired by the narrators outlook in the way he observed what is going on around him without really understanding it, as the reader does. I wanted to try to replicate Townsend's narrator's obviviousness in the same diary format. This was story was published in Portal Magazine 2023, as an excerpt from what is now a novel called What Were You Thinking?


Two Peas in a Pod​  

Wednesday June 29th, 2021 My world has just exploded. Cassy, my best friend, told me she’s been accepted for a six-month term as a Grade 10 student in Milan, Italy. That’s 8,500 freaking kilometres away (I looked it up!) Ever since “Ms. Cassandra” found out that Milan is the “City of Fashion,” she has been desperate to go there.

She didn’t seem to notice I was quietly crying like a baby. 

I knew she had applied in February but, I thought, OK I hoped, she wouldn’t be accepted. My bad. Honestly, I can not function without her.

Mom always says, “Erin and Cassy are two peas in a pod.” It’s embarrassing, but secretly I kinda like it. What kind of existence can one pea have rattling around by itself while the other pea parties in her Italian dorm? It’s totally unfair. Cassy is an optimist, and has creamy skin, and long luscious locks. I’m the opposite—antisocial with limp dirty blonde hair that hangs in my pimply face.

What am I going to do?  

Saturday July 2nd 

I helped Cassy pack. She says she’s worried about her Nana, who apparently needs company when her Papa plays golf. Isn’t she worried, even a little, about her best friend?

Cassy said she had something important to ask me. I hoped she was going to invite me to come to Italy with her. WRONG. She wants me to visit Nana while she’s away.

Why can’t she just stay by herself?

Cassy said that her Nana likes me (questionable), and it would give me something to do instead of moping around. How does she know that’s what I’ll do? Maybe I’ll find another best friend. Who am I kidding? I’ll mope.

What the hell, I’ll be desperate by Christmas. I told her I’d do it. When Cassy hugged me, her cheek was wet.  

Monday July 4th             

When Cassy left for the airport, I stood on the sidewalk and forced a smile while Cassy hung out the window and hollered, “See you at Christmas!” I stood waving at the car even after it turned the corner, like a weirdo. 
I better get more notebooks and a few extra pens for my diary. This is going to be the longest six months of my life.  

Tuesday July 5th 

I had my first solo visit with Nana today. I could barely reach the doorbell thanks to the mass of flowerpots on the porch. What a stink. My nose started to twitch right away and, of course, I’d forgotten my inhaler and tissues.

We’d met a few times before, but Nana pretended we hadn’t so I said, “Hi. I’m Erin, Cassandra’s friend.

” Nana’s tall and slim with a silver bun. She insisted, in her cool Scottish accent, that I call her Catherine. Weird. She showed me her back garden, which had more stinky flowers and an obscene zucchini. I had to (discreetly) wipe my dripping nose on the inside neckline of my T-shirt.

We had tea in her immaculate kitchen: Earl Grey with lemon on the side. The pot had flowers on it too (shocker) and matching teacups! She’d made homemade cookies, but as usual, I asked about nuts before having any. They were yummy!

Strangely, Catherine called after me as I was leaving and said, “See you on Friday, Cassandra.

” Whaaaa? 


Thursday July 7th 

I got an email from Cassy today. It included a picture of some massive cathedral, excuse me duomo, in Milan. She said she was having a great time with new friends she met at church. Since when did Cassy go to church? Maybe it’s a cult. 

Nice to know she’s already replaced me. She didn’t even ask about her Nana! I tried texting her, but no answer. 

Mom wants to know what my plans are for the summer. I said, “Reading,” obviously. The library is getting in the Shadow and Bone trilogy and I’m at the top of the HOLD list. I told Mom it was a project for school. She didn’t fall for it and told me to get a job. 
A job? 


Friday July 8th             

I met Cassy’s grandfather. He shook my hand and asked me to call him Dan. He’s tanned and fit, bald with wisps of grey hair around the sides, and he’s shorter than Catherine. Before he left with his rolling golf bag, he winked at me and said “Thank you.”               

After another garden tour (yup, those flowers still stink), Catherine and I sat on the patio. Luckily, I remembered a tissue. The smell was overpowering and the tea today was bitter; with flaky floaties and none of those tasty lemon slices. I dumped my tea into a flowerpot when Catherine went inside for cookies. I kept reminding her my name was Erin, but eventually I gave up and just answered to Cassandra.              

I texted Cassy a few more times (37 in total). Still nothing.  

Sunday July 10th             

I picked up the first book of the Shadow and Bone trilogy and spent the day reading. It’s fantastic. I love the heroine, Alina, a fearless soldier who discovers that she’s a Sun Summoner. Her best friend (and maybe more) is the hunk, Mal. I found a secluded bench in the park to read, away from the “get a job” vibes coming from a certain someone who’s quickly morphing into a nag.              

It’s now been 44 unanswered texts, but who’s counting?  

Monday July 11th               
Today Catherine’s kitchen was a mess. My bare feet stuck to the floor thanks to some spilled flour-and-egg mixture that might have been pancakes. The countertops were sticky too. The “tea” was just hot water and there were new cookies. I asked if they were OK for nuts. 

“Yes, OK for nuts,” she said and smiled.              

Long story short, it was lucky I had my EpiPen with me and the ER wasn’t that crowded.  

Tuesday July 12th                
Dan called to apologize about the cookies and asked if I could meet him for coffee tomorrow. I wonder what I did wrong?              

Mom said she saw a HELP WANTED sign at the creamery and I should apply. She even offered to help me with my resume. What would I even put on it: student, good reader, has no friends?              

Since Dad took off with the tart (Mom’s word, not mine), I know I should help out—after all, I am almost 15—but I don’t want to.              

Worse still, I’ve gone off Shadow and Bone. Alina (who’s not a fool) got fooled by General Kirigan (hot, but E.V.I.L.), not to mention her lack of loyalty to Mal, which pisses me off.              

I sent one last text: TEXT ME ABOUT YOUR NANA.  

Wednesday July 13th               

Mom’s nagging about the job at the creamery made me late meeting Dan. 

“Do you think a job will just fall into your lap?” 

Dan smiled and stood as I came in. He apologized again about the cookie incident. He thought Cassy had told me about Catherine, but clearly she hadn’t. 

He told me “his lovely lass” is slipping away. Catherine has Alzheimer’s. Yeah, Cassy should have mentioned that, say BEFORE I AGREED TO DO THIS! 

Dan can’t leave Catherine by herself. She has good days and not-so-good days, which can be scary. Dan said that Catherine really enjoys our visits and asked if I would be interested in spending more time with her. 

I said I’d like that. Then, he offered me a lot of money. Hmm, a job just fell into my lap. Mom is ecstatic.  

Friday July 15th             OMG, Kirigan is only interested in stealing Alina’s powers as a Sun Summoner and she doesn’t see it. I put the book on the top shelf of the closet; I can’t read it anymore. Alina, wake up! 

I sent a postcard of a killer whale to Cassy today. It said, ALZHEIMER’S??? 

Catherine and I walked to the grocery store. Next time I’ll bring a wagon. 

When Dan came back from golf, we had a tuna sandwich waiting for him. I like working. Who knew?  

Monday July 18th                 

Mrs. Talon, the librarian, asked if I was ready for Siege and Storm,the second novel in thetrilogy. I gave her the lowdown. She laughed and said Alina sees through Kirigan eventually and I should stick with it. When I got home, I got the book down from the top shelf.               
Forty-five unanswered texts is pathetic. I’m D.O.N.E.              

Catherine and I baked cookies. I was the nut police and in charge of measuring the ingredients. She couldn’t remember where her teapot was, so I opened every cupboard door with an arm flourish like Vanna White and we laughed. Afterward, we walked to the park and I showed her my secret spot. She liked it a lot and said next time we should bring our books.  

Thursday July 21th 

A postcard of another church, this time on a hillside, in Milan arrived. Cassy said she tossed her phone into the Po River. Her cult friends apparently told her cell phones were evil. No biggy, it’s not like she was using it anyway. At least she remembered to ask about Catherine. 

I had the day off, but it was raining so I went to the library instead of the park. This guy from my school, Clint Something, came over and started asking questions about what I was reading. He has the weirdest hair—it sticks up in clumps. Let’s just say he’s not one of the popular kids either.  

Monday July 25th 

Catherine wouldn’t let me in this morning. She said she doesn’t open the door to strangers and told me to go away. I explained who I was, but she wasn’t having it. I even called myself Cassandra, but she yelled through the door that I didn’t sound like her granddaughter. 

I called Dan. He said he was very sorry and should have waited until I got there because Catherine was having one of those days (no kidding). He explained where the extra key was hidden. 

found Catherine upstairs lying on her bed. When she saw me, she sat up and said,“There you are Cassandra. I was wondering where you were.” I texted Dan to let him know everything was fine.

 Wednesday July 27th     
          
Catherine and I read in the park yesterday, so she wanted to go again today. She spent most of the time watching the birds.   

Saturday July 30th                 

I asked Mrs. Talon to show me books on Alzheimer’s. They have a ton. I took a stack back to my spot and surprise, surprise, Clint Something was sitting in my seat. He was reading Siege and Storm. 

I hissed through clenched teeth that I was the first on the library’s HOLD list for that book. I stared him down for at least a minute before he mumbled that his dad bought the set for him. He kept trying to flatten down his hair. He’s already finished the first book. 

I bet he doesn’t have a job.