I open my journal and find where I’ve written the name.
Delia.
I kiss the name and hold the journal to my chest to stop the shaking. I don’t write in it things to tell Dr. Janeway. I write about Delia, about the things we did. I write about the terrible thing inside me and how it grew and how I learned it was my love for her, about what we’ll do someday when we’re together. I’ve written her letters, but she hasn’t written back to me. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s Grandpa Hollister. His way of reminding me. Remember.
I don’t mind not getting letters. I have my dreams. Someday, I’ll show her this journal. She’ll read the story of her and me, the things I never told her. She’ll understand what love is, and we’ll always be together.
About the Author
Sterling Watson is the author of four novels, Weep No More My Brother, The Calling, Blind Tongues, and Deadly Sweet. Watson is the recipient of three Florida Fine Arts Council awards for fiction writing and is a former fellow of The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. His short fiction and non-fiction have appeared in Prairie Schooner, the Georgia Review, the Los Angeles Times Book Review, the Fiction Quarterly, the Michigan Quarterly Review, and the Southern Review. He has co-authored several screenplays, two of them based on his novels, with novelist, Dennis Lehane. He is Director of the Creative Writing Program at Eckerd College and has taught at the University of Florida and the Florida State Prison, at Raiford. He received his B.A. degree from Eckerd College and his M.A. degree from the University of Florida.
“All I Have to Do Is Dream”
Written by Boudleaux Bryant
© 1958 by House fo Bryant Publications
Renewed 1986
“Book of Love”
Words and Music by Warren Davis, Goerge Malone and Charles Patrick
Copyright © 1957 (Renewed) by Arc Music Corporation and Longitude music. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. International Copyright Secured.
“Come Softly to Me,” by Gary Troxel, Gretchen Christopher and Barbara Ellis
© 1958, 1959 (Copyrights Renewed) EMI Unart Catalog Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. WARNER BROS. PUBLICATIONS U.S. INC., Miami, FL. 33014
“Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)
Words and Music by Cindy Walker
© 1962 (Renewed 1990) TEMI COMBINE INC. All Rights Controlled by COMBINE MUSIC CORP. and Administered by EMI BLACKWOOD MUSIC INC. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Used by Permission.
“Dream Lover”—Bobby Darin
© 1959 – Alley Music Corp. and Trio Music Company, Inc.
Copyright renewed. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.
“Great Balls of Fire,” by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer
© 1957 (Renewed) Unichappell Music Inc., Mijac Music, Chappell & Co., and Mystical Light Music. Unichappell Music Inc. administers all rights o/b/o itself and Mijac Music Chappell & Co. administers all rights o/b/o itself and Mystical Light Music. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. WARNER BROS. PUBLICATIONS U.S. INC., Miami, FL. 33014
“Sea Cruise,” by Huey Smith
© 1966 (Renewed) Cotillion Music, Inc. All rights administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. WARNER BROS. PUBLICATIONS U.S. INC., Miami, FL. 33014
“Wake Up Little Suzie”
Written by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant
© 1957 by House of Bryant Publications
Renewed 1985
Sweet Dream Baby Page 29