Chapter Two

Melanie spent the afternoon just as she had the morning, feeling lonelier by the minute. She could hardly concentrate on her work for thinking of the horrible impasse between she and her husband. By four o'clock she wandered back to her attic perch, sitting down in the old chair with the diary in hand, ready to dive into a world that seemed much more pleasant and exciting than her own. Though she'd only spent a few hours with her Aunt's amazing journal, it was already a prized possession, the smell of its leather cover and the soft pages, delivering a perfume of another time to tickle her nostrils and her romantic sensibilities.

I can't believe I'm writing about this once again, but I don't really know how else to unburden myself. These empty pages seem the only solace and friend I have in this amazing escapade of my love affair!

Oh! And it is a love affair, I tremble as I write this, but it is so true.

Everything Joseph has done has only made me love him all the more, even though his lessons are quite painful.

After that first spanking, I've been more cautious of my snappy tongue when I'm with him. If I should get a bit cross, it only takes one stern look and I'm quickly reminded of how harsh my words sound. But tonight I was so terribly foolish. I treated Joseph very badly, and I have to agree that I deserve the treatment he gave me.

In my defense, my day had been very rushed, and I was so looking forward to an evening with Joseph. He planned to take me dancing at the social in the basement of First Presbyterian. I was excited to see him as I always am, and when he called to tell me that he couldn't make it, I was crushed.

"Go on ahead without me," he said.

But I got very upset. I didn't want to go without him, what fun would that be?

"Daisy, you're being childish," he told me, warning me with"that tone of voice".

I told him I was sorry, that I was simply going to miss him so much.

"Well, I might show up, so you be there. Have some fun with your girlfriends and we'll dance when I get there."

I wasn't happy about it, and mumbled some answer and hung up the phone. I made up my mind right then that I'd indeed go to the dance, and if Joseph thought I'd just sit around and giggle with the girls, he had another thing coming!

Oh! how foolish I am sometimes!

I went to the dance, tagging along with Gracie and Meg and their beaus. I felt rather triumphant when I accepted another man's invitation to dance. (He couldn't hol