Ann Martin: Dawn's Big Move

You know what she whispered in my ear? Not "Write," or "Brush your teeth," or "Get good grades," or anything like that.

She said, "Let Daddy love you as much as I do."

I had to get on the plane fast before I dissolved into one huge tear.

The entire week flashed through my mind in the time it took the captain to finish his speech. As the "Fasten Your Seatbelt" sign came on, I looked out the window again.

Mom and Richard and Mary Anne were not there anymore. I turned to my book and began writing:

I was a little surprised I'd written the word home. I crossed it out and wrote in California.

But neither one seemed exactly right. I stopped writing and stared at the words for a long time.

Then I made a decision. I'd leave it. After all, it didn't really matter. I could always go back and change it if I wanted.

Six months was a long time.

About the Author

ANN M. MARTIN did a lot of baby-sitting when she was growing up in Princeton, New Jersey. Now her favorite baby-sitting charge is her cat, Mouse, who lives with her in her Manhattan apartment.

Ann Martin's Apple Paperbacks include Yours Turly, Shirley; Ten Kids, No Pets; With You and Without You; Bummer Summer; and all the other books in the Baby-sitters Club series.

She is a former editor of books for children, and was graduated from Smith College. She likes ice cream, the beach, and / Love Lucy; and she hates to cook.