Beginnings of 2020 - Daria - A November of Change

 Daria – A November of Change

Daria Morgendorffer returned to her dorm room after her American Literature class.  ‘Not everthing that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced,’ she thought. While she had read some of James Baldwin’s writings back in high school (after moving to Lawndale), the class had re-awakened her appreciation for his work. She had found his moral writings were still rather pertinent, as she could see that there were still divisions in American society along racial lines. She sighed.

 

“Hey, Daria,” her roommate, Natalia Daniels said. “Have you voted yet?” she asked as she stood up.

 

“Yes,” Daria said, guardedly. ‘At least Massachusetts is a Blue State,’ she thought. Even so, she didn’t want to tell Natalia that she voted for Kerry. They had already had arguments earlier in the semester about the impact of Bush Junior’s policies.

 

Natalia brushed her hands through her close-cropped hair. She could see that Daria was agitated. “Sorry.”

 

“That’s ok,” Daria said as she sat at her desk. She wanted to reflect more on Baldwin’s works, but it was obvious Natalia wasn’t giving her the chance.

 

“Some friends and I are going out to Assabet to view the Leonids tonight,” Natalia said. “Do you want to come?”

 

“Um, sure?” Daria said. Viewing a meteor shower seemed like a better idea than re-reading a Baldwin novel she had already read while listening to the Election Night coverage.

 

“Great!” Natalia said. “We’ll leave at seven.”

 

 

Daria returned from dinner to find that Natalia had changed into one of her more colourful and loose outfits. “Wouldn’t it be a bit cold for that?” she asked. She hugged herself, rubbing her velvet covered jumper for emphasis.

 

“No,” Natalia said, shaking her head.

 

 

When Daria and Natalia arrived, Daria could see that Natalia’s friends were drinking beer, whilst listening to the election count coverage on the radio. ‘Aren’t they underage?’ she wondered. She was too, until later in the month. She knew Natalia was a year under her. “Drinking?” she asked.

 

“Yes. Don’t be a square, Daria!” Natalia said. “I’m sure you drink.”