The Baby-Sitters Club belongs to Ann M. Martin

I just started my freshman year at Portland Voc-Tech High School. I'm Mary Anne Spier. I just turned 14 last month. My friends were here to celebrate it with me, including Logan.

Oh, my father and Kristy's father, treated all of us to go on road trips all summer long. Happy Days surprised us, too. They were here to see me and Dawn graduate along with the pizza party. That was a lot of fun. My grandmother was due to move in with us, but something came up and couldn't join us, but it will happen soon, which is fine by me. She lives in Iowa. She and my grandfather raised me for more than a year after my mom died and Dad wasn't ready to raise me on his own right away.

My family moved here from Stoneybrook because of my dad's job. He's a lawyer. He was promoted and transferred here- someone was retiring and he got picked to take over. Dawn and I are still part of the club and are planning to baby-sit when we visit Sharon's parents.

Right now, my father have been working late because his boss, who is very nice, is out on medical leave recovering from a stroke and needed Dad to cover for the past few weeks. He's been out since we moved here. Most of the time, by the time he gets home from work, I'm already in bed. I miss not seeing him. In fact, Dad told us that his boss is expected to return back on Monday and he'll be working his normal hours. The doctor wants him to work part time for the time being, but Dad doesn't need to cover for his boss or work on weekends.

I'm also planning on getting a new phone. My old phone is kind of had it. I like iPhone. I'm using my baby-sitting money for it. I haven't seen Dad so I can ask him to see if it's okay. I don't want to do anything without permission- he pays the bills and I always help out when I have the money. Sometimes it's tough because all of the younger Willis kids are in their after-school activities, so the only time the girls need me is on weekends, Dad understands on that part. But it does allow us girls to hang out. He did pay a bill on my birthday, which was his treat. If I'm stuck like short on cash, which I throw in from my baby-sitting jobs, he does help me out (we'd just go half and half), which was the part of our deal.

It was also hard for my adopted brother, Carlos. Like me, he lived there for his whole life. He's the youngest of his three siblings. His family, including his both older siblings, was killed in a car accident when he was eight. He told me he almost died when he went in a coma, but he was a fighter. He even didn't know about his family until he woke up from the coma a week later when he asked to see them. He did hit it hard and was suffering depression, but it did change his life when we adopted him. Like me and Dawn, we were already friends for a few years since we were sixth graders. He's into basketball and would play against my school- he was attending Stoneybrook Day School and he choose to stay there, which was no problem with my dad or Sharon.

Dawn and Carlos are attending Portland High School. They take a bus because it's too far for them to walk- it's way past the hospital. Me? Our school is closer. Plus, I want a career.

Plus, my two current best friends, Kayla and her twin, Kaylee told us they were moving here, too. Well, we met in New York while my family was there last year. We were three houses apart. Now, we're next-door neighbors. Their father left not long ago. So, I help out a lot. Their brother, D.J. (he's also a twin to Mario) is a pill. But when I'm there, he knows how to act right- their mom is strict and doesn't put up with his behavior. So, she appreciates it when I help out. They're also attending Portland Voc-Tech High School.

The only good part is that I got a couple of friends here. First of all, April and I have been friends since fourth grade. She moved here before middle school. When she learned I was moving here, she was happy for me. She was the one who told me about the vocational high school. It have shops. Freshman explore before they decide what they want. They picked near Christmas and they start their chosen shops after the holiday break.

My dream career is being a fashion designer. When I do pick shops, I'll pick that. My back up plan is Child Care since I baby-sit. April wants Culinary Arts- she loves to bake and wants to be a baker. Kayla is planning to be a nurse and is exploring medical assistant while Kaylee wants to pick office. Then, I met Beth, who is friends with April. Beth is also exploring in office. Last is April's new boyfriend, Andy. They met while she was exploring Culinary Arts. He's a junior and he's 17. I don't like him for a few reasons. When April comes over, she have the habit to bring Andy over when there is no adults are home. I had to keep telling her. She wants me to keep that a 'secret'. So if she sees Sharon's or Dad's car, she always had to rush to leave the house with Andy before they can be seen. Another thing: He is a troublemaker.

I just met two new guys, Rick and Jack. Dad met them before and they were fine with him, so he did approved the friendship. They seemed to be okay.

I was doing homework on a Thursday night when Sharon came around and said, "Are you going to be free this weekend?"

"What's up?" I asked.

"Your father and I will not be home. Jeff will be here. We made plans to go out for early lunch and a movie," said Sharon. "I was going to ask you if you can keep an eye on him."

"Sure," I said.

"Thank you," said Sharon.

"No problem," I said. "When is he flying in?"

"Tomorrow night," said Sharon.

"I bet Dad can't wait to get back to his regular hours," I said.

"Yes," said Sharon.

"I know I sure can't wait, either," I said. "I miss not having him around. I hope a father-daughter day is still on Monday."