Dear Mom and Dad, I found out about something terrific! Richie is a writer like me! Isn't that cool? There was a secret I learned about him, too. Love, Mallory.
I was writing stories in my journal about my adventures when Richie came to me.
"What are you up to?" asked Richie.
"Just writing. It's my passion," I replied. "I want to be a writer."
"I'm a writer myself," said Richie.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes," said Richie. "In fact, I was a journalist. I worked for Milwaukee Journal."
"What happened if you don't mind me asking?" I asked.
"I wrote in my column and called a famous person fat. I wasn't thinking when I put it in my column. My boss found out and fired me," said Richie.
"Wow," I said.
"This is between you and me. Okay?" asked Richie.
"Okay," I agreed. "Your secret is safe with me."
"Thanks," said Richie. "That was a mistake that I made."
"Mistakes happen," I said.
That would be an easy promise to keep. I'm an expert at keeping secrets. That means I'll have to avoid that subject in case they ask me why he's not at Milwaukee Journal anymore. I thought about only telling Jessi; she's usually good at keeping secrets, too. I trust her.
"Is okay if I tell Jessi?" I asked.
"Sure. Thank you for checking with me," said Richie.
"I figured I would be on the safe side," I said. "We're best friends."
"Telling a best friend is fine," said Richie.
I went to Jessi and asked her to speak with her alone. We went to the den and told her what Richie told me.
"He said he wanted it between us, but he said it's okay to tell you. I promised him on that," I said.
"Okay, my lips are sealed," promised Jessi.
"Good," I said as we giggled.
"I know," said Jessi.
We went back to join our friends. My goal is to keep that secret safe. That night, we all hung around the fireplace and read stories together while we laughed. We get to stay overnight with the characters! That's going to be fun.
We get to camp outdoors. The characters were planning to join us. Cool, huh? I would think so. Jessi and I were whispering while the others were sleeping before we went to sleep.
The next day, we ate pancakes with eggs and bacon inside. We didn't go back to the hotel until later that mid–afternoon.
"I had a fun time last night," said Kayla.
"Me, too," said Kaylee.
"I'm glad you both did," said Mary Anne.
"This is the trip I'd never forget," said Kayla.
"Same here," said Kaylee.
"We should do that again before we leave," said Stacey.
"Good idea," I agreed.