December 1860

Christmas is fast approaching, but this year, a sense of unease pervades, detracting from the normally joyous time of year. Everyone's thoughts are on different and more ominous things. I often hear father and others talking about the growing rift between the southern and the northern states. South Carolina seceded just yesterday on December 20th. The thought is unnerving. Now that one state has left the union, there will be more. They will likely fall like dominoes, Virginia most assuredly will be one of them. Knowing father, I'm certain he'll demand that I enlist. Zachary, the good son and our father's pride and joy, just proposed to his sweetheart and is about to start a family.

Family is what makes the South, and as father often reminds us, we are not to buck tradition. Of course I will never be the golden boy that marries according to his parents wishes. I'm not afraid of hard work, I have every intention of doing just that but it will be because it's something that I want to do... It won't be for the sole purpose of increasing the family wealth. I can't help but feel there must be more than this.

I'm a man and I do like women but the one I'm going to marry one day won't be a "good match" or an old "family friend" or just a healthy female capable of bearing children. I haven't met her yet but she must be out there somewhere. I want to see the world before I settle down here and make my parents proud.

But I'm not going to worry about father or family duties or even the impending war right now. What would be the point? Once father makes up his mind, there's no changing it.

Today was a good day, I spent most of it in the barn, feeding and brushing the horses. I love living on the plantation, especially the solitude country life brings. As much as I enjoy spending time with Zachary, I need to be by myself sometimes too.

Later I had to go to town to pick up some flour for my mother. While in the general store, I ran into Martha Forbes. She's a pretty blonde with eyes as blue as crescent pools. Her beautiful dresses, made of the finest fabrics, accentuate her petite figure and feminine curves. She always smiles when I see her at Sunday services, maybe she would agree to go with me to the church Christmas party? I should have taken the opportunity to ask her but I didn't. I just couldn't get the words out but I can't help but think what it would be like to kiss her...?"

... "I didn't realize how tired I was, falling asleep while still writing in the diary. What I wrote, I still don't want to go this route. I can imagine my parents would be excited should I marry Martha, I've know her since we were children together, but is it all life has to offer?"

Stefan treads a fine line through the lake house, it's been years since they came here for the holidays and everything seems new. And smaller. He's not sure if he should be excited or disappointed, if only Damon wouldn't have disappeared after lunch, the two of them could explore around the lake or visit some of the neighbor kids. He wouldn't mind saddling up a couple of the horses to take a look around. Flustered because it's been hours since he's seen his big brother, he starts up the staircase to go to Damon's room.

He gets even more frustrated when he isn't there either. When he backs out of the room, he just happens to notice that the door to the attic is ajar. That's where he must have gone. Slowly and carefully he opens the door. Hoping the stairs don't creak and reveal his presence, he takes off his shoes and starts to tiptoe up the steps. As soon as he reaches the top, he finds Damon lazily spread out on the sofa, his face immersed in a book.

"What are you reading?" he speaks loudly, but Damon doesn't even flinch, nor does he reply for several long minutes. Getting more annoyed which each tick of the clock, Stefan is fisting his hands at his sides by the time his big brother finally responds.

"It's a diary, must be real old. Like Civil War old! I found it in the box over there," he waves his hand pointing to a large wooden box sitting in the corner.

"Who cares? Let's go outside, I want to do some exploring."

"It's riveting. Our ancestor, the guy writing it is named Damon. He mentions his brother Zachary and that's dad's name too. Don't you think that's interesting?"

"No!" he scoffs, crinkling his nose.

"Well I think it is. I'm going to ask dad about it," Damon replies, his voice trailing off as he buries his face in the diary again.

Feeling slighted, Stefan marches over and pulls the book from his hands.

"What the hell, Stefan?"

"I'll give it back if you come outside with me for awhile."

"Fine," Damon mutters in resignation. As soon as he stands up, Stefan hands him back the diary. With the precious book in his hand, he follows Stefan down the staircase, pulling the attic door closed behind him.

Synopsis quote courtesy of Vironika Tugaleva.

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