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 you guys tonight," said Dad.
I'm Mary Anne Spier. I'm 15 and a tenth grader at Stoneybrook High School.
"I'll wait until later when 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," 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."
"That sounds exciting being promoted," said Kaylee.
"I know," said Dawn.
We were busy during the meeting with a lot of calls for clients. Later, after dinner, I was helping out.
"I wonder what Dad's going to say," said Meredith.
"I have no idea," said Carlos.
"Me, either," said Dawn.
As you can see, she and I vowed not to say anything to tell them what we saw in the paper. They probably didn't see it anyway.
Then, we were in the living room where Dad had an announcement to make.
"I'm getting promoted," 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 transferred to Portland, Maine," said Dad. "A manager from a law office is retiring and I got picked to take his place."
"Did you accept it?" asked Sharon.
"Yes," replied Dad.
"Good for you," said Sharon.
My smile went faded. "Are we going have to move there?"
"Yes," answered Dad.
"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. We knew each other since sixth grader, which is how he became a member of our family. His team played against Stoneybrook Middle School.
"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. "I'm putting the house up for sale this week to give us time to sell it. I might even call the real estate tomorrow."
"That's a good idea," said Sharon.
"I'll do house hunting there in the meantime," said Dad.
"I'm done with this meeting," 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.
Dad and I had just moved in Sharon's house after they got married. I was in my room in a bad mood. There is one biggest season 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, D.J. never gets along with Mario (he moved into the girls' room after they moved here from New York). I am firm with D.J. Hate to say this, but he can be a handful.
How would Kristy feel about me moving away? That's another reason why I didn't want to leave here. We have been best friends for as long as I can remember. Plus, I'm a member of the Baby-Sitters Club. Who would replace me and Dawn when it gets busy?
Another thing: I have a trip coming up in June for two weeks after school ends for the summer. I hope Dad would let me go there.
"Mary Anne," said a voice.
It was Carlos who 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.
"That's the problem. And, imagine if she dies while I'm gone? I'd be heartbroken," I said.
"I know," said Carlos.
"Others won't handle D.J. except for Stacey and Kristy," I said.