excerpt
 

VICA’S DIARY

Vica had forgotten her diary under her pillow. Usually, she kept it in the drawer of her nightstand and in the evening, before turning off the light, she would write down her impressions of that day. Mica found it by chance. She was there tidying the room. She did that almost every morning while Vica was at school: she came into the room, made the bed, cleaned the dust, then she opened the windows to refresh the room.

            Now that the window was open, she took the eiderdown and the pillow and as she did that she noticed a leather-bound notebook on the bed sheet. She thumbed in amazement. She did not know that Vica kept a diary. Here is what she read on the first page:

            Iaşi, 15 February 1953

            Today Grig came back from Moscow and brought me this wonderful notebook. It was a wonderful surprise. I like it so much that I decided to keep my Diary in it. I am so glad he brought it!

            Vica

            Nothing was written on the second page. However, someone had clumsily drawn a kitten. On the third page there was another date and a few lines followed:

            Iaşi, 16 March 1953

            I forgot to write in this Diary. From now on I am going to write my impressions every day. Today is a fine day. The sky is clear. Small white clouds are floating in the sky. They look like small ships. Holidays are beginning soon. Tonight I’m going with Mica and Grig to a birthday party. The seamstress must come and bring my new dress. I am going to play the piano. I can hardly wait!

            Vica

            Later Vica had apparently again forgotten to write down her “daily impressions.” There were a number of pages, however, that contained souvenirs from friends:

            A souvenir for my good friend Vica.

            Sanda

            Iaşi, 30 March 1953

            Ton amie qui t’aime

            Et qui pense à toi.1

            Jo

            30 mars 1953

            Once we quarreled, it is true

            You’re my friend again, aren’t you?

            Ligia

            30 III 1953

            Rather than write lines without end

            Or poems by others that I don’t understand

            I will sign my name below.

            That I love you, I’m sure you know.

            Andreea

            When your hair becomes gray

            And you are getting old

            A tender thought you might then have

            Of the good days of old.

            And you will look for this old book

            On dusty, barren shelves

            And you will find the names of those

            Who were your dear friends

            And among them, your

            Ana

            12 April 1953

            This album is a leaf in the spring of our lives

            And as time withers it, it scatters its blooms

            It’s an opportunity for us in our old age

            To think back of the good old times.

            Nadia

            Yesterday I saw you dressed in blue

            And it certainly became you

            As blue is the color

            Of the angel you carry inside.

            Alina

            After this short collection of souvenirs a blank page followed. Mica smiled, amused, and wanted to put the notebook back on the nightstand, but when she turned the page she saw Vica’s small handwriting again.

Tineretului, 1960