1. January 8, 1935
Dear diary I just started living with my mother’s friend, Grace. She’s wonderful
women. She lets me wear makeup and curl my hair. I love to do those things. My
mother is ill right now. Grace loves Jean Harlow. She always tells me that one day
I will be a big movie star. In my spare time I love to read and write poetry. I think
I’m really good at it. I sort of miss playing ball with the children in the orphanage, I
enjoyed that. People said I was quite good for my age. Grace is getting married
soon. His name is Ervin Silliman, but everyone calls him Doc. I don’t really like
him.
Love, Norma.
March 11, 1937
Dear diary, I haven’t written in this diary in a while. I am 11 years old now and
currently still living with Grace and Doc. I’m living with them and his daughters
from his previous marriage. He tries to do bad things to me and tells me not to
tell. I’m very scared I hate living here. I wish it was still just me and Mrs. Grace. Or
I would rather be in the orphanage. Grace will not listen to me when I try to tell. I
wish someone would listen to me. Last night I think I heard Grace say she was
thinking about sending me to live with my great aunt Olive. I hope so, anything is
better than this.
Love, Norma
June 12, 1942
Dear diary, I’m 16 now, the last time I wrote I said I was going to move in with my
great aunt, I did. Things weren’t much better than they were with Grace and Doc.
One of Olive’s sons attacked me. I didn’t stay there long. It seem like everywhere I
go I can’t be happy, unless I’m with my mother. I wish she was well. I moved back

2. in with Grace and Doc. I am attending Van Nuys high school. I met this boy he
lives next to me, his name is James but everyone calls him Jim. We are in a
relationship and I really like him
Love, Norma