"We're here!" chirped Ella as our mom steered into the driveway of our new house.

Everything about the house screamed "California." The small, one-story house was painted beige and a small garden had already been started near the porch. Relax,I told myself, the worst that can happen is another tickle fight with Ella.

The car came to an abrupt stop and I heard the familiar click of the car's lock.

"Max, hey! We're here!" Ella shouted as she sprung out of the car, flinging the door open. I swear, I thought that she would rip the door off the hinges or something. Ella was a small girl but that didn't mean she couldn't do any damage.

"Yeah….I know," I replied. I got out of the car quietly, making much less of an entrance, or rather an exit, than Ella had. The car's trunk was open and Ella and Mom were carrying the bags to the house.

"Max, honey. Can you help us with the bags? The furniture will be coming soon," Mom asked.

"Sure."

I worked my way to the trunk of the car and grabbed Ella's pink duffel bag and a box full of Mom's veterinarian supplies. I carefully made my way towards the house, maneuvering around the piles of dirt that littered the grass springing from the ground.

When I reached the door, I almost dropped everything.

"Dad?"

I quickly put my load near the door and ran to hug my Dad.

I haven't seen Dad in years. It's always been my Mom, Ella, and I. He was always on business trips.

I buried my face in his jacket that suspiciously smelled of cigarettes.

"Have you been smoking again? Jeez, Dad. I told you that's not healthy for your lungs. What if you get lung cancer? And your breath reeks!" I began to accuse, burying my face deeper into his arms.

"So what brings you here? Are you moving in with us!" I asked.

"Actually, I've come to bring you something. Just a little stop on the way," Dad said, apologetically.

"Oh."

"Here," Dad said, taking out a fancy, white envelope with my name written in elegant, cursive letters.

I scrunched up my face.

"Dad, no debutante balls. I swear if you make me go to one again, I'm going to send Ella in my place. And you know how that will go," I threatened.

Dad sighed.

"No, it's not an invitation of that sort. It's more of-well, you won't know until you read it. Just know that Ireally hope that you will accept it. It's a really good opportunity for you. In this economy, these things don't really come that easily."

What?Exactly what could be in this mysterious envelope that would make Dad actually beg? He never begged, let alone speak more than a few words.

"Ummm...Okay…," I trailed off.

"Yeah? Well, I guess I'll take my leave. I'm needed at the airport soon. Bye then! Take care!"

I watched with my eyebrows raised as he dashed out of the house. I mean I loved him and all, but he could be really-I don't know-strange at times. I stared at the envelope in my hand. Yep. There was definitely something peculiar about this envelope.

"Maxieeeeee! Look what Dad got me!" Ella shouted, waving a brand new iPod in my face.

Oh, okay. Give Ella the iPod, but give Max the freaking envelope.

"Ooh! What's in the envelope!" Ella asked, finally noticing the envelope that I clenched in my right hand.

"Umm...I really don't know."

"Then open it, silly!" Ella giggled. Jeez. It seemed that her energy would never run out.

"Maybe later."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"Ella, it's my envelope. I'll choose when to open it."

"Pleaseeeeeeeeee," Ella begged, giving me her famous pouty face.

"Ella, you know that doesn't work on me."

"Ugh. I can't believe you're immune to it. I swear, even my geometry teacher softened up because of it. And you know how grouchy he was," Ella whined.

"First-hand," I agreed.

"Mmhmm. And that's why-," Ella snatched the envelope from me, "If you don't open it yourself, I'll open it!"

"Give it back Ella," I said, my voice stern.

"Nope! Not a chance. Not unless you open it. Now!"

"Ugh. Fine," I groaned, admitting my defeat, "Now hand it over."

"Yay!" Ella yelped, jumping up and down before handing me the envelope.

I slowly began to tear at the opening of the envelope. I didn't really know what was inside of it, but I knew that something would happen. Something big. Or maybe it was all just a prank. Maybe a worm would crawl out of it or something.

As I tore to the halfway mark, I waited for worms to crawl out. Nope, nothing.

"Maaaaxxx!" Ella yelled into my ear, "Hurry up, you're taking like forever. You're like slower than a snail!"

I tore faster and slowly lifted the flap.

Inside of the envelope, was a letter.