The Baby-Sitters Club belongs to Ann M. Martin
I was reading a magazine one Friday after school when Dad came home.
"What's going on? You look happy about something," I said.
"I have news to tell tonight," said Dad.
I'm Mary Anne Spier. I'm 15 and a tenth grader at Stoneybrook High School.
"I'll wait until everyone is home," said Dad.
"Um, okay," I said.
A few hours later, I was going to Claudia's for the meeting. Before I got there, Claudia said, "I heard Mr. Spier is getting promoted, it's in the paper."
"Really?" asked Kristy.
"Act normal when Mary Anne comes with Dawn in case I'm wrong," said Claudia.
"Good idea," said Kristy.
That was when I showed up.
"Dawn's running late. She had a sitting job for the Newtons, they're stuck in traffic," I said.
"She texted me to tell me, too," said Kristy.
Dawn came just before the meeting started.
"I noticed Richard in the paper," said Dawn.
"For what?" I asked.
"He's getting promoted, that's all I saw," replied Dawn.
"Wow. I noticed he looked happy for something," I said. "He didn't say what it was because he was waiting until everyone is home."
We had a busy meeting. Later, after dinner, I was helping out.
"I wonder what Dad's going to say," said Meredith.
"I have no idea," said Carlos.
Then, we were in the living room where Dad had an announcement to make.
"I'm getting promoted because I work very hard," said Dad.
"I saw that in the paper today at work," said Sharon. "My workers were happy for you."
"I knew something was up," I said.
"Congratulations," said Meredith.
"Thank you. There is more to the news that I found out today," said Dad.
"What do you mean more?" I asked.
"Randy told me I would be transferring to Maine," said Dad. "A manager from a law office is retiring and I got picked to take his place."
"As in we're going to move there?" I asked.
"Did you accept it?" asked Sharon.
"Yes," replied Dad.
"Good for you," said Sharon.
"And, you just accepted it without us?" I asked getting upset. "My whole life is here."
"Mine, too," said Carlos.
He grew up here like I did.
"I don't mind," said Dawn.
"Me, either," said Meredith.
"I do," I said as Carlos agreed.
"We are moving until you kids get out of school for the summer," said Dad. "It will be in Portland."
"That means you'll see April more," said Meredith.
"I don't care, I'm not moving," I said.
"We're still going. I'm putting the house up for sale this week to give us time to sell it," said Dad. "I might call the real estate tomorrow.
"I'm still not leaving," I said as I got up to leave the room.
"Count me out, too," said Carlos as he left the room, too.
"I thought they would both be happy for me," said Dad.
"That's normal," said Sharon.
"True," said Dad.
I was in my room in a bad mood. There is one big reason why I didn't want to move: My best friend, Kayla, is struggling with cancer. How am I going to tell her and her twin, Kaylee? I have been very supportive. I take her place if she can't help Kaylee watch their six younger siblings. Chemo makes her feel tired or dizzy. I'll find a way to tell them. Plus, the twin brothers, D.J. and Mario fight all the time.
Carlos came in to see me.
"What are you going to do about Kayla?" asked Carlos.
"I thought about it, too. That's the number one reason I didn't want to move," I said. "I don't know how I'm going to tell her, especially Kaylee."
"I agree. You always support her," said Carlos.
I'm "That's the problem. And, imagine if she dies while I'm gone? I'd be heartbroken," I said.
"I know," said Carlos.