But then Watson Brewer (that's Kristy's stepfather — he just happens to be a millionaire) moved Kristy, her mom, her big brothers Sam and Charlie, and her little brother David Michael, across town to live in his mansion with him. It seemed like a fairy tale to me, but it has caused some problems. For one thing, we

miss having Kristy nearby. For another, we have to pay Charlie to drive Kristy to and from our dub meetings. Plus, Kristy's mom wants Watson and his two kids and Kristy and her brothers to become a real family. So ... no vacation for any of them. Just plenty of togetherness at the mansion.

However, it was fun to have a new family in the neighborhood. And the Perkinses have little kids, which is even better. Kristy had been the first to baby-sit for them. A sitting job right in her old house!

"It was weird," Kristy said. "There was my bedroom and my living room — with this strange furniture. I mean, you know, different furniture. But the girls are great. And Mrs, Perkins is nice, too. I didn't meet Mr. Perkins. The older girl, Myriah, is really smart. And she takes all kinds of lessons — ballet, tap dancing, swimming. And she's only five and a half. Gabbie is the little one. She's two and a half. She says cute things like 'Toshe me up.' Thaf s something she invented. It means, 'Pick me up and give me a hug.' And she kept calling me by my whole name — Toshe me up, Kristy Thomas. . . . Want to see my room, Kristy Thomas?' I think you guys will like the Perkinses."

The phone rang then, and once it started, it kept on ringing. Everyone knew we were home from our vacations and back in business. Even Mrs. Perkins called. By the time our meeting was over, we all had jobs lined up.