Emma’s Diary Entries – Bonus Scene
Emma’s Diary Entries
Bonus Scene
September 15th
Dear Diary,
Uncle Wes says someone's coming to stay with us. A writer lady from New York who writes books about cowboys. Sarah Beth says New York people are fancy and don't know ANYTHING about real ranch life. This should be interesting.
Uncle Wes is grumpy about it. More than usual. He keeps checking all the guest room stuff like a hundred times. I heard him telling Uncle Jake that "this city writer is the last thing we need right now." But Uncle Jake says we need the money. I don't like when they argue about money. It makes Uncle Wes's forehead get all wrinkly.
Trouble knocked over a lamp today. Uncle Wes said it was fine, but I could tell he was worried about one more thing being broken. I wish I could fix things for him.
Mom would know what to say to make him feel better. I miss her so much sometimes that my chest hurts.
XOXO,
Emma
September 18th
Dear Diary,
SHE'S HERE, and she's HILARIOUS!! Her name is Paisley, and she's nothing like I thought she'd be. She's pretty but not in a scary way, and she fell into ACTUAL HORSE POOP on her first day! I shouldn't laugh, but Uncle Jake said it was "comedy gold," and even Uncle Wes almost smiled.
She has fancy clothes, but she doesn't act stuck up. When I showed her my bubble bath collection, she didn't pretend to care like most grown-ups. She actually wanted to know which ones smell best! I told her cotton candy is obviously superior.
Uncle Wes is being super weird around her. Like he doesn't know whether to be nice or just stomp away. Grown-ups are SO COMPLICATED.
Trouble likes her. He usually hates everyone except me. Animals know good people.
XOXO,
Emma
September 30th
Dear Diary,
Paisley asked me about Mom today. Not in that weird way adults usually do where they look all sad and pat my head. She just asked what kind of cookies Mom used to make and if I remembered the recipe. I showed her Mom's recipe box, and we made sugar cookies together!
They weren't exactly like Mom's, but they were really good. Uncle Wes ate FOUR of them! He pretended he only had two, but I totally saw him sneak extras when he thought no one was looking.
Paisley doesn't try to replace Mom. I like that about her. She just listens when I talk about Mom and Dad, and sometimes she asks questions that make me remember good things I'd forgotten.
Bernard tried to steal her scarf today. It was AMAZING.
XOXO,
Emma
October 10th
Dear Diary,
Uncle Wes taught Paisley how to ride Athena today!!! I watched from the fence, and he was being SO CAREFUL with her. His hands stayed on her waist even after she was balanced (Sarah Beth's mom says that's called "flirting," but I think Uncle Wes would explode if I said that word).
The funny thing is, Uncle Wes SMILES now. Like, actual real smiles that reach his eyes. Not just the pretend ones he used to do when he thought I was watching. He doesn't know I can tell the difference, but I always could.
Paisley asked me to help her braid her hair for riding. She said I'm better at it than anyone in New York. I think that might be a lie, but it’s a nice one.
I heard Uncle Colt tell Uncle Jake that Uncle Wes is "less of a grumpy bear" lately. Uncle Jake said, "Amazing what a pretty writer can do.” Then they saw me and stopped talking. Adults always think I can’t hear them when they’re being obvious.
XOXO,
Emma
October 24th
Dear Diary,
I got sick at school today, and guess who came to get me? PAISLEY! Uncle Wes wasn't answering his phone (he never does when he's fixing fences), and she just showed up! She got lost THREE TIMES trying to find the school, which is hilarious because there’s basically one road in town.
She made me soup, and we watched “Narnia,” and when I fell asleep on the couch, she put Mom's quilt over me. When I woke up, she and Uncle Wes were both sick! They spent THREE DAYS on the couch arguing about stupid TV shows and sharing tissues.
It was kind of nice, actually. Like we were a real family.
I caught Uncle Wes looking at Paisley when she was sleeping. Not in a creepy way! In a soft way. Like how Dad used to look at Mom.
I think I'm going to ask God for something big tonight.
XOXO,
Emma
November 14th
Dear Diary,
EMERGENCY UPDATE: Uncle Wes and Paisley KISSED at the Fall Festival!!! Not just a little kiss either! Right in the middle of the square dance! Martha cried and everything!
Sarah Beth owes me FIVE DOLLARS because I told her they would kiss before Thanksgiving, and she said Christmas.
Uncle Wes looks different now. Like someone took a heavy backpack off him. He actually LAUGHED at breakfast. A real laugh, not just a grunt or that fake chuckle he does when he thinks I need cheering up.
I heard him praying this morning. He was thanking God instead of just asking for help with the ranch. That's new.
Maybe families can grow, not just break apart. Maybe we can be happy again without forgetting Mom and Dad.
XOXO,
Emma
P.S. Trouble slept on Paisley's boots last night. He's officially adopted her.
December 2nd
Dear Diary,
Paisley's GONE. Just... gone.
Uncle Wes won't talk about it. He just works until he's so tired he falls asleep in his chair. Uncle Jake told Uncle Colt that "Wes is being a stubborn fool" and that "the bank doesn't care about his pride." I don't understand all of it, but I know it's about money again.
I called Paisley last night when everyone was asleep. She sounded sad. She misses us. I asked her to come back, and she started crying. ADULTS ARE SO STUPID SOMETIMES.
Uncle Wes left the porch light on last night. He used to do that when Mom and Dad would come home late. I don't think he realizes he did it.
I'm sleeping with Mom's quilt again. Trouble has been looking for Paisley. He sits by the guest room door and meows.
Everyone's broken again, and I don’t know how to fix it.
XOXO,
Emma
December 5th
Dear Diary,
SHE’S BACK!!!! Paisley came back today!!!! She just showed up, and now there are movie people here talking about making Uncle Wes's ranch famous. Bernard stole some lady's hat, and Paisley has a PLAN to save the ranch!
Uncle Wes actually SMILED when he saw her. A real, giant smile. Then they talked for a long time on the porch. I couldn’t hear everything, but I did hear "I love you." MULTIPLE TIMES.
Uncle Jake said I'm not allowed to say "I told you so" to Uncle Wes, but I definitely thought it really loud.
I think we're going to be okay. Not the same as before, but maybe even better in a different way? Is that allowed? To be happier in a new way without forgetting the old happy?
Mom would like Paisley, I think. She always said Uncle Wes needed someone who wouldn't let him be grumpy all the time.
XOXO,
Emma
P.S. I'm going to be a FLOWER GIRL! Martha is already planning the WHOLE WEDDING, even though Uncle Wes keeps saying "We just got engaged, for Pete's sake!"
P.P.S. Bernard is going to carry the rings in a tiny top hat. Uncle Wes doesn't know this part yet. It's going to be EPIC.
One Year Later
Dear Diary,
Guess who has a BABY brOTHER coming next week?? ME!!!
Paisley let me help paint the nursery blue. Not boring baby blue but cool sky blue like Mom always said made the house feel bigger. We put stars on the ceiling that glow in the dark.
Uncle Wes is nervous ALL THE TIME. He keeps checking that the crib is safe like a hundred times a day. Paisley says he told her that he did the same thing when Mom was pregnant with me. That made me feel good somehow, knowing he's always been this way.
I showed Paisley all of Mom's baby pictures of me yesterday. She didn't get that weird sad look adults usually get. She just said, "Your mom would be so proud of who you're becoming, Emma." Then we both cried a little, but the good kind of crying.
I've been thinking about what to call Paisley after the baby comes. She's not trying to be my mom—I already have a mom, even if she's in heaven. But she's definitely more than just "Uncle Wes's wife."
I asked her about it yesterday, and she said, "I'm whatever you need me to be, Emma. No pressure, no rules." Then she said, "But I hope you know I love you just as much as this little guy," and patted her belly.
I think I'll call her Paisley for now. But in my heart, she's my bonus mom. Mom would like that, I think. She always said love multiplies; it doesn't divide.
Our family is weird and messy and includes a klepto goose and a dramatic peacock and three grumpy uncles and a baby brother on the way... but it's OURS.
And it's good.
XOXO,
Emma