This chapter is very sad.... I'm sorry.

When we get back, Ma's face shows legitimate worry and concern. "Where were you? Are you okay? What took so long?" Then she noticed the small scratches we got from running through the thorns. We all had a long, long, long cut on our legs and she rushed us all into the house out of our clothes, (I was mildly embarrassed, because Juliana and John were watching), but I got over it because we got to use her plush robes as she got "foot baths" ready and hot food and hot chocolate. "Ah... " I say with exaggerated sighs, "this is the life." Then we hear the car drive in. "Dad!" I squeal then stop. The doorbell rings. Dad would never do that, unless he had a surprise. I fling open the door. It's not Dad. Instead it's a man in a sharp black suit with... a puppy? "Where's Dad?" The man sighed. He clearly didn't like his job.

"I'm sorry, but may I speak with your mommy, sweetheart?" He said, clearly trying to be nice. Excuse me? I thought, I know I'm small for my size but this is ridicules! "Excuse me, sir?" I'm a bit snide with the sir. He raises an eyebrow. "But I'm 16." He looks unimpressed. "Alright. Come on in." His face says, finally. Wow, I thought, what a jerk. But at least he brought a puppy for me, John, and Juliana to play with. I follow the man into the living room. Ma took one look and said, "No. Is it? It can't be. No!" She starts to sob.

"Ma'am, are you the woman of the house?" She nods mutely. "I'm so sorry to have to tell you this but," he pauses dramatically, "your husband, Mr. Felix, died in a car crash. Both this puppy and he were rescued, and this puppy was cradled in his arms. My guess is that he had bought this for your three children. He died before making it to the hospital. But he told the attendant at his side in the hospital," she looks up, "'Please, take this puppy and give it to my wife... and our children. I want them to be happy. And tell them I will be with the older twos mother. I'm sorry.'" I shook my head. This has to be a lie. A prank. I expect Dad to pop out somewhere and say, "Psyche! This is a joke!" and for everyone to laugh and be happy. But why would someone joke about dying? It's like my Dumb Diary book, year two, when Jamie's grandma dies. I run over to the T.V. and turn it on and to the news channel. A new caption reads: Accident on Highway 8! Victim dies in ambulance! Then it flips to: Live at victim's house!"Oh no." I breathe. Ding dong! Crap. (actually, I was going to say something much worse, but I chose not to) I sighed and went to the door and open it slowly. There are a hoard of people at our door. They all had cameramen and microphones. They trample in. "Hey! I didn't say you could come in!" One of them sneered at me. "Who cares, little girl." Now okay. I know that I may be small but NO ONE calls me "little girl". Ding dong. "No. Not again." I mutter to myself. I crack the door. There is only a boy about my age. "Hi", he says, his voice deep, "My name's Eli. I saw all the news trucks. What happened?" I stand there speechless. "You don't know?" I ask, "Have you seen the TV? My dad... he died." His voice shows disappointment. "Oh. I, I was hoping that wasn't the case. I'm so sorry. I-" I stop him. "No, it's fine." He nods and says, "Do you want to come outside?" I nod back and say, "Sure... wait. Let me go get dressed okay?" He nods back, and for the first time since I learned that Dad had died, I smiled. I shut the door slowly and turn around. Juliana is behind me, grinning. "So, Mary, who was that?" I blush and reply, "a neighbor. That's all." Her smile broadened "Oh really? Then why-" That's when I skirt past her. "Bye Juliana!" Then I run up the stairs to my room laughing. I enter my room and shut and lock the door. Pound pound pound! "Let me in Mary! This isn't funny!" Actually, I thought, it is. I changed into a red and white skirt and a cute shirt. For shoes I chose my tall high top boots. Now I'm ready to face the world. I thought and left.

See? What did I tell you? anyways, hope you enjoyed!

Iron out, Buh bye!