By: Casey H
Maryland, Grade: 5

Dear Diary,

Today Dad came home with bad news. He lost his job. Everyone is losing their jobs. I watched Tammy today. Sweet Tammy. She is ten years old and acts so grown up. Mom hurried over to me when she got home from buying groceries.
''Katie, your brother Andrew is in trouble. Pack your bags. We're leaving immediately.'' Her voice sounded so dull, unlike my mother's normal voice.
''Mom, Andrew, what's wrong with him? Is it Arabelle?'' I asked. Arabelle is my neice Tammy's age. Mom didn't want to look at my face.
''Arabelle....is sick. She....oh Katie. Arabelle may be dying!'' she exclaimed. I searched my mother's face for any kind of amusement to give away the joke.
''Mom, you're lying right? She's really not sick. Last night I talked to her on the phone, how could she be sick?'' I asked. My voice came out like a frog's. This was impossible.
''No Katie, this isn't a joke. Arabelle is badly sick. All of a sudden she just started burning up with fever. The doctor can't do anything about it.'' Mom said. I put my face in my hands. Tammy put her hands on my shoulders and comforted me very gently.
''Don't worry Katie, Arabelle will be alright. She'll be fine. Don't worry Katie.'' I listened to my sister's voice. I took a shuddering breath and looked at her. Right now we are pulling up at Andrew's house. He's standing out on the porch with an anxious look on his face. Poor Andrew. Arabelle is really important to him.
Love
Katie