May 10, 1968
by Janine Stephenson
Almost all of the volunteers have left. They’ve gone to Nebraska, Oregon or back home. We haven’t received our assignments yet. Today Craig tried to help the Indiana staff with their accounting books. Since he’s a philosophy major, Becca ended up helping them set up their new budgets.
I spent most of my day walking around the convent, taking pictures and thinking. I don’t usually get to spend much time alone, and it was nice to breathe the crisp air. It reminded me of New Hampshire, except there’s no snow on the ground.
I’ve been thinking about calling Mrs. Stoutmiller, but we don’t have the money right now. Although she said I could call her collect, I don’t want to do that.
I don’t want to lose touch with her, and I don’t want to lose touch with Benjamin.
I thought about it while laying on the grass, watching the clouds go by.
I’m going to have to leave Benjamin behind, just like I left Mrs. Stoutmiller. Why do people grow close only to say goodbye?
The convent feels empty now. But I could feel everyone who had been here, and everything that happened here the past month.
I don’t know where we’re going and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I wonder who I’ll meet next. And I wonder if I’ll ever see or talk to Benjamin again.
