Who am I?

I chose to write a diary entry as Mrs. Salmon in the mists of chapter 16, a year after Susie’s death/r*pe. Please note-I took some liberty as to her character based off of the timeline, since the whole novel is from Susie’s perspective.

Dear diary,

I apologize for not writing often anymore. You see, I am not a silly school girl writing about her crush. This is just for me to get my thoughts out, because a woman’s place is in the kitchen. “Be seen and not heard” is what my mom always said and is how my siblings and I were raised. My husband and I decided for a slightly different approach with our children, but it is all off of the same core principals.

The real reason I haven’t been writing is because you remind me of Mr. Harvey’s journal. Where Lindsey found the drawing of that cornfield. I can’t bear to look at that place anymore. All I see when I glance over is her elbow. Stuck in that slobbering beats mouth. But I have been glancing in that direction these past few hours. Its been a year since, I can’t bear to write it. Kids are all out there, over the place that my daughter took her last breathe. I guess everyone copes in their own ways, but with this and my family’s obsession with our neighbor it’s like our lives can’t escape Susie.

Oh please forgive me. I know I should try everything to find the murder, but I just want to raise my two children in peace. Not in this tornado of a life. That’s why I’ve spent more time with Detective Fenerman. He understands that this case is closed, and I can’t help it when my heart lurches out towards him. I know I shouldn’t, but aren’t I allowed some normal is this hectic life?