The Baby–Sitters Club belong to Ann M. Martin. Happy Days belong to Garry Marshall.
I was in my room reading a magazine when I heard there would be a sweepstakes to meet the Happy Days characters in Milwaukee, WI. That was in the magazine. That sounded interesting to do that. I could tell this to my friends. That would be cool. I know who would like this, too. My best friend and neighbor, Kayla Willis, who is struggling with leukemia since the beginning of the school year. She told me her mom loved Happy Days. I bet she would love to meet them.
Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Mary Anne Spier. I'm 15 years old and attend Stoneybrook High School for tenth grade here in Stoneybrook, Connecticut. I live with my family: my father, my stepmom, Sharon Schafer and her daughter, Dawn, who's also my best friend, and my two adopted siblings, Carlos Peters and Meredith Sousa. As you can see, my mom is not in the picture. She's been dead for a long time and I don't remember her at all.
Cam Geary, whom I've been recording with for a year, was away in the Bahamas, which is why I'm home on a Monday afternoon. He'll be back at the end of the month.
And, I have an idea to have Kayla meet the Happy Days characters. I could do it for a surprise for her and I'll just mention it to her twin, Kaylee, who's my third best friend, and I'll just tell her not to say anything to Kayla. I can wait to tell her if we win the sweepstakes because I don't want her to keep her hopes up. In fact, this would be perfect way for them to celebrate their 15th birthday. They were born on March 17th, 1987.
Later, at the meeting, I got the magazine with me. I invited Kaylee to come over. I didn't add Kayla so she won't know what's going on.
"Any new business?" asked my oldest best friend, Kristy Thomas.
I've known her all my life, which is why I mentioned my oldest best friend.
"I do," I replied. "There is going to be a sweepstakes to take a trip to Milwaukee, WI to meet the Happy Days characters."
"Oh, cool!" exclaimed Claudia.
"Don't mention it to Kayla, I want it to be a surprise. We can wait until we're winners first," I said.
"That would be a great idea," said Kaylee.
"Yeah," agreed Kristy.
"We can enter it together," said Stacey.
"Sweet," said Mallory.
She filled out the form that was in the magazine and teared it carefully. After that, she put it in an envelope.
"You can mail it on your way home," said Mallory adding my returning address on the top.
"Okay, great idea," I agreed.
This is going to be so exciting. I did mail that on my way home.
Then, I called Kristy and said, "What I didn't mention is that the trip is a perfect way to celebrate their 15th birthday while we're visiting Happy Days."
"Good idea," said Kristy.
"I want it to be a secret, so don't say anything to neither of them," I said.
"My lips are sealed," promised Kristy.
The next day, at school, I didn't see Kayla and I knew why she was out. Leukemia would tire her out and when it does, she would miss a day of school. I worry about her and she doesn't have much time to live. She has two months to live and I cannot imagine about losing my best friend.
Two weeks later, I had mail and I noticed it was from the Happy Days sweepstakes! When I opened that, I was already smiling. My friends and I won that trip to meet them and it won't be for another two weeks. I am so happy about that! On top of that, the plane tickets were already sent to us. That was awesome. I'll tell my friends later when I meet them at the diner for supper.
I was in my room doing homework. After that, I put it in my backpack. Then, the phone rang as I picked up.
"Hello. Oh, hi, Kaylee, what's wrong?" I asked.
"Kayla's in the hospital," said Kaylee who sounded like she was going to start crying.
"What? Is she okay?" I asked.
"She was feeling worse and she was coughing up blood," said Kaylee.
"Gosh, I didn't know leukemia could do that to anyone. I had that when I had pneumonia," I said.
"I never knew that either," said Kaylee.
It's true that I had pneumonia and it happened back when I was 14 sometime before Christmas and as a result, I have breathing issues. That's no fun.
"Are you with her?" I asked.
"No, I'm at home. Mom told me about it," said Kaylee.
"Do you think I can go see her?" I asked.
"Kayla would like that," answered Kaylee. "She's already admitted there anyway."
"Okay. I'll be meeting the other girls at the diner. Do you want to come along? I got news to share," I said.
"Sure, I would like to have company," said Kaylee. "And, a break from D. J. and Mario. They are driving me nuts. My father's home, so I'll go see Kayla with you."
D. J. and Mario would fight twenty–four hours a day. I can be very firm when they're like that. I went to the house right away and they were fighting all right.
"Knock it off now," I said as I separated them.
"No way," said the boys.
"Then one of you go to your room and the other on the chair," I said.
I told you I could be firm to them when they fight. The Willis parents are relieved when they need my help.
"Go do what you're told or you're both grounded," said Mr. Willis.
That made them obey me.
"Thank you," said Mr. Willis.
"I'm leaving with Mary Anne so we can see Kayla together," said Kaylee.
"Okay, you need it," said her father.
"And, we're joining the girls at the diner for dinner," I added.
"Alright, that's fine," said Mr. Willis.
We left there to go visit Kayla who was in a bad shape according to Mrs. Willis.
"Is she going to last longer than two months?" I asked.
"So far, yes," replied Mrs. Willis.
"Good, I was hoping to hear that," I said. "I never knew that leukemia could cause anyone to cough up blood."
"Sometimes it can," said Mrs. Willis. "The doctor said it could happen anytime."
I try to worry, but between you and me, I do not like the sound of that.
"She's not awake yet though, so it may take awhile," said Mrs. Willis.
"Can we stay for a bit? Mary Anne and I are going out for dinner. Dad already knows," said Kaylee.
"Okay," said her mom.
After we stayed, I couldn't handle it any longer. I do like visiting Kayla since she is my best friend. I am surprised that Kaylee can handle it. She is stronger than I am. Later, at the diner, I told the girls everything about Kayla. Then, I showed the girls the letter.
"We won? No way," said Stacey.
"Yes," I replied.
"Awesome," said Kaylee.
"I'll wait until Kayla wakes up before I tell her the news, too," I said.
"Good idea," agreed Claudia.
After dinner, at home, I told the other crew the news. I did not want to tell them about Kayla even though they know she's been sick. I was scared I'd started crying. That's how sensitive I am.
"That's good," said Sharon.
"I know, it won't be for another two weeks," I said. "That would be perfect since Cam would still be in Bahamas at the time."
"I agree with you," said Dad.
Later, in my room, Dad came in to be with me.
"So, what was new with Kayla today?" asked Dad.
"She wasn't at school since her leukemia tired her out," I said as I also told him about the phone call from Kaylee.
"Oh," said Dad.
"Kaylee and I went to see Kayla before we went to the diner with the other girls," I said. "I was in a perfect mood earlier, so I didn't want to ruin it at the moment."
"I understand," said Dad.