 | by
HannahZ in over her head |
10/18
Dear Diary,
Well, we finally pulled into a little town called Hartlen, and as customary, I started this diary. New town, new life, new diary. This is my 4th one this year, 15th overall. We've been moving around for as long as I can remember, but the diary tradition only started about 3 and a half yrs ago. The notebooks fill the bottom drawer of my nightstand. Theyre every color imaginable, this one being a purplish orange. I know that doesnt really sound like a possible color, but trust me, it is and its UGLY.
Hartlen is a tiny town in Northeastern Iowa. I'm not sure why they choose to come here, since we usually head South for winter.... I'll have to ask Marty about that. Anyways, as I was saying, Hartlen is a small town. When I say small, I mean REALLY small. The sign claims it has 672 citizens, but it also has bullet holes left from the French and Indian war,,, just kidding. But really, its got to be a population from at least half a century ago, I doubt it has over 400 now. Almost everone I've seen looks either disturbed, and half the homes are abandoned. The rest are old, unpainted, and sagging. We're renting a small vacant lot for a measly $125 a month, and I think thats overpricing it. When we got here, the trash was so thick you couldnt see the ground, and even though we cleaned it up this morning, there are hords of weeds already attacking our trailer. Its parked a cracked cement pad in the middle of the lot, surrounded by our "yard" . The buildings I've seen, besides houses, are a gas station, a mechanics, 2 little cafes, a rundown grocery/everything else store called "Marcee's, and a 2nd hand clothing store. Oh, and a little brick Methodist Chuch. Hopefully I can get a better look at them tomorrow, especially the church. That is, if Marty and Sar get out for a while,,,
I have a little time before they get back, so I'll tell you about the "home sweet home". Its a crappy old 16ft camper, complete with shower, stove, bedroom, and couch. In the bedroom, where Marty and Sar sleep, there are:
a dresser which hold both of their clothes
a bed with a gray and tan bedspread
a orangish brown chest which holds everything the dresser doesnt
a red table with an alarmclock, a magazine, and a book about what ever Sar's interested in at the moment (right now I believe its scrapbooking)
under the bed theres all the extra sheets, blankets, and a seemingly endless supply of canned foods
In the kitchen, theres eveything a kitchen would have; a stove, sink, oven, and cubbards. Pretty basic, pretty boring.
Same for the bathroom; everything typical in a bathroom
Then, theres my room-
Ok, I better close for tonight, I heard a car door slam and someone laughing. Marty and Sar are home. Heres to our first day in Hartlen, even though I dont know why we're here, how long we'll stay, or if there are any kind or at least normal human beings around (although I do hope to find that last one out tomorrow). Goodnight
See more stories by HannahZ