Hey journal!

It's me, Timmy. My cousins seem pretty cool. J.J., the one who's 8, likes to skateboard. He's good at it apparently. He told me maybe he would teach me how. They can speak a bunch of Spanish from living down south. I can only speak what I know from school, which isn't a lot. At least I can say I know Spanish better than my dad. All he can say is his name, and that he likes cheese.

My aunt must not like us much. We ate last, and she still hasn't talked to us. I'd be thankful if someone spent a whole day flying to see me get married. She had the wedding near the groom's family, too, so we had to drive an hour to get to the wedding. She's been mingling with her friends and his family, and ignoring us completely.

My cousin Joseph helped me change their poem. Now, instead of "Come on in, stay as long as you can, we're all family, so there's no seating plan," it tells incoming guests, "Come on in, stay as long as you will, we're all family, so eat our swill." I think we're funny. Aunt Lauren told us we're naughty, but I think she likes it, too. She spoke in a teasing manner.

Everyone keeps calling me their little cousin because I'm so thin. Only one of them is older than me! But it is true that I look like a railroad track. I look a lot like my dad. In fact, a lot of people think I'm his biological son because of how similar we look. Same body shape, same facial structure, and the same Irish background. I actually look more like him then my actual biological father. He was never really a father to me, especially compared to Dad.

I wish Cattie were here. She's still my sister, even though she's not by law any more. Dad and Uncle Shawn take turns with us so we can stay together. Dad said he and Uncle Shawn have a surprise for us to make up for the time apart, but I don't think anything would make up for being apart from her. She's my best friend in the world, and the only one who understands me. I really miss her.

Joe wants to hang, so I'm gonna go for now. Bye! – Timmy

As soon as his journal was safely back in his bag, Timmy was whisked away by his cousin.

Joe's brown eyes twinkled with laughter. "Must you write down

everything that goes on in your life?"

Timmy nodded emphatically. "Yes, Joey, I do. I'm writing it for my sister. She's kept a journal since we were 11, and she thought I should start one of my own, so here I am." He sighed, sadness in his blue-green eyes.

"You really miss her, don't you," Joe remarked.

Timmy nodded again, "She's been my best friend since we were four, and my sister since we were six. We celebrate our birthday together 'cause we're only 10 days apart, so it's

always been both of us together. We even live together!"

"Really?"

He nodded yet again, "Dad and Uncle Shawn take turns."

"Timothy," called his dad, "Time to go! Say goodbye to your cousin. You'll see him tomorrow."

Hey journal.

I miss my quilt. It's blue, light blue, and white. My dad gave it to me as a welcome present. Grandma's mom made it for him when he was born, and he passed it down. I take it with me between Dad and Uncle Shawn's, and Cattie and I sleep under it. One of the many reasons I can't wait to get home; my quilt.

I'm tired, so I'm headed off to sleep. Goodnight, Journal.

- Timmy