The Prodigal, Part One

PORTIONS OF THE DAMAGED DIARY OF JOANNA WOZNIAK, AS RECOVERED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF ERIE, PA, ON THE EVENING OF MAY 28, 1974.
Dated 22 June 1936

Fell ill earlier this week. Coughing something terrible, sometimes feels like I'm drowning, terrible pain in my chest. Doctor came around to-day and gave me something for the cough and pain, told me to rest and hope it blows over. When he listened to my lungs he looked concerned, I think he was sparing some some pain by not telling me what he heard. I only just managed to find solid work here, and with the way the world is now I do not know if the work will still be there if, and when, I feel better.

Have not been to the river since this began. Never realized how much comfort the water brought me until I could no longer get there. Left the Ohio long ago to find work along the Mississippi, but that water was still my refuge and my only connection to Aaboukingon. I miss him terribly. As I lay in my bed, I find myself playing through our times together over and over again. I fear this is some curse; the drowning feeling is my fate coming for me, punishment for turning aside from my god and family in favor of a water spirit.

​But I made my choice, and I will take what it brings.

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