Diary of Juneth Toll

Entry 1

As a child in Portland, I never paid attention to what was happening around the world because as much as I knew, was how to properly tell time with a wall clock. I knew how to multiply from 1 to 12. I knew how to tie my shoes, lace my shoes, and “Run For The Arts”. I was taught about Christopher Columbus and how he “good of a man” he was.

It was only until I was eighteen, when I learned that Christopher Columbus was the bad guy. I learned what the word “genocide” was, I learned how the ice caps were melting, how the police weren’t looking at me because they thought my shirt looked nice. I didn’t even realize that my own neighborhood was going downhill. I read articles upon articles about how the city gave up on the construction projects for my neighborhood. So there sat empty lots, homeless camps, old worn down furniture, and us. No one ever bothered or offered help.

I built my home in a store, it took a little bit of work but used to be a Fred Meyers until the city flooded so I had just about all of my resources to build bridges across the aisles, and I know what you’re thinking, “But Portland is known for the rain..”

We are, but not for the city to sink. I still remember the day it started too. I was working at a pizza restaurant and it was extremely busy, especially for a Tuesday.

Flashback to Election Night

I tried calling in some help from my manager, but the lines were busy. I figured I would try again soon.

About an hour later, I was on my 167th order, I only remember this because it was the most disgusting pizza I had ever made.

No sauce with pineapple, anchovies and olive.

Anyway, the power went out and we had no windows except for two in the lobby, so I couldn’t see jackshit. My phone rang.

“June? June? Can you hear me?”

“Yes.. Hold on, the fucking power went out. It’s the storm, but don’t worry, I’m not opening any of the refrigerators or freezers.”

“Dude fuck the food, get out of there. They’re evacuating the entire district.”

“It’s only raining, why would they evacuate?”

“The entire city is-”

The line went dead and not long after, the ceiling above the lobby collapsed. I couldn’t get out through the front door and we didn’t have a backdoor. Split second decisions really do count because if I didn’t run to the fire escape, I would’ve been stuck. The building doesn’t seem so tall when you’re walking towards it from the parking lot, but the drop had got to be the start of my acrophobia.

So as I stood there, frozen in fear, rain dripping from the ends of my hair, clothes sticking to my skin like honey. I heard my driver calling for me from the side of the building.

“June you have to jump. Like now.”

“I know, but I-I can’t.”

People across the street on top of their building screamed for me to jump too. I knew I was about to cry, just from the way my eyes had warmth to them as if I just got done staring at a fan.

“You can do it. Don’t think, jump. Now!!”

The wind roaring and shaking the trees from side to side, I jumped.

That’s the last I saw any of my coworkers or even my family. I’m not even sure if they’re alive anymore, but I guess all that’s left is to hope they are. I met a dog a couple weeks ago and I named him Kevin Noodles, because whenever I cook any pasta or ramen, he sneaks a bite.

Entry 2

You would not believe me, but there’s fish now. I hadn’t seen any fish for quite awhile up until I caught one in one of my traps. By “traps”? I mean Kevin was swimming in one of the aisles to get a toy and came back with a fish. Considering none of the freezers work, I had to eat fish for a week straight to make sure it didn’t go to waste.

The water was contaminated with sewage and gasoline for the first year or so, but being that I was studying to be a hydrologist slash engineer? I worked with what I had, traveled around the city on my boat to figure out a way to get a clean source of water and look for survivors.

Entry 3

You know, it does get lonely and talking to Kevin all day, doesn’t seem to keep me sane, and sometimes I look at this necklace my brother gave me before he moved. That day, we went to Wunderland on Hawthorne. While playing Space Invaders, that’s when he broke it to me that he was being deployed for a “special mission”.

I was too young to understand that you weren’t coming back. I should’ve known when you handed me this necklace. Sometimes I just want you to come back so I can tell you how much I miss you, or how much I hate that you lied. Why didn’t you just tell me? You could’ve talked to me. I would’ve listened.

Entry 4

There’s something I need to tell you, it’s my deepest darkest secret and do not tell anyone else. Here it goes…

I suck at this diary bullshit. But you already know that haha.

But today, I set some actual traps to hopefully catch some fish, but I managed to find this old generator, so I used that to get the damn radio working again.

I heard somebody say there’s survivors. Could it be true? Maybe my family made it after all.

Entry 5

Today is my birthday. I turn twenty eight, but I only have a can of sweet peas until I’m out of food.

I really hope I can get this boat to a decent condition for our trip.

Oh yeah, did I tell you? Kev and I are going to Seattle! I haven’t been there since ‘09.

I still have the iPod my mom bought me too, but it doesn’t work because I have yet to find a charger.

Gosh, just thinking about the endless amount of times I’d play any Elton John song, is insane.

Entry 6

You know I’m just laying here with my hand in the water, feeling it rush through the space between my fingers. It got me thinking…

Did we do this to ourselves? I mean the massive storm?

Science proved to us again and again, that if we kept going the way we did, we would do some critical damage? Is this nature getting us back?

Entry 7

Well it’s Mother’s Day.

I could really go for some sweets and a couple balloons. Some of those beautiful ones, with the cursive writing, flower designs, in the shape of a heart.

My mom used to sing Your Song by Elton John. Sometimes when she didn’t want to? She would just hum and I swear if an angel heard….

I miss you mom and I hope you miss me.

Entry 8

I’ve waited such a long time, search each day for my family, but I’m afraid if I stay any longer, I might never leave.

I don’t want to admit it to myself, but I don’t think my family is here anymore.

But while I leave, don’t worry mom. I’ll sing for you, just as you did for me.

Kevin and I are leaving Portland today. I heard there’s survivors in Seattle so we’ll head that way.

If you find this, please follow and help yourself to the fishes in the traps that I actually made this time. If you see teeth marks, blame Kevin.

I love you Endlessly,

Juneth Toll