We both moved to the couch, and Char snuggled next to me while I began reading. I

glanced at her a couple of times, because she was so engrossed.

Charlotte and I could practically be sisters. Not because we look alike (we don't), but because that's how close we are.Charlotte even stayed at my house once when her parents suddenly had to go out of town for a few days. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but Char is my favorite sitting charge — and I'm her favorite sitter. We mean more to each other than that, though, which is why I think of us as sisters.

Also, I wish I really did have a sister or a brother. But likeCharlotte , I'm an only child. And since my parents' divorce, I live mostly with my mother.

Maybe this would be a good time to tell you about the divorce. But beware, it's complicated! Oh, well. Here goes. I grew up inNew York City . My dad has a big-time job there. But just before I was going to enter seventh grade, the company he works for transferred him toStamford,Connecticut , so my parents went house hunting and found a place for us here in Stoneybrook, which is not far fromStamford . Then, in the middle of this school year (eighth grade), the company transferred Dad back toNew York . (I didn't mind much. I had joined the BSC and made friends inConnecticut , but I also wanted to return toNew York and live in the city that felt like home to

me.) However, we hadn't been back inNew York for more than a few months when my parents began to have problems with each other. They were always fighting. And the next thing I knew, they were getting a divorce. Worse, my father was staying inNew York , my mother wanted to return toConnecticut (she loves Stoneybrook), and I was given the choice of where I wanted to live. (In other words, with which parent I wanted to live.) It was an awful decision, but finally I choseConnecticut , promising my dad I would visit him on weekends and vacations — whenever I could.