August 23, 2015

Dear notebook,

I will not be calling you a diary. I repeat WILL NOT. My mom got this for me because she thought have somewhere to express my thoughts would be a good thing after all that transpired this summer. After school let out, my family and I traveled to Gulf Shores, Alabama to visit family there. It seemed like a great family vacation and I was excited.

If only I would've known that traveling to see our family on the beach would lead to a string of events that would affect me the rest of my life. On a windy Tuesday, my summer became one to forget. My younger sister went missing. Aurora was only 9, but was an intelligent girl for her age. She had long, blonde hair and piercing green eyes. She loved animals and was a very curious child. The police station quickly got a lead on her whereabouts and found her 3 days later. My silly little sister wasn't kidnapped.No. She saw a golden retriever farther down the beach and chased it until she became lost. Even her wise little mind didn't know the way back to our cousins' house.

A couple found her and took her back to their condo where she was fed and well cared for. The couple contacted the local sheriff and got her back to us as quickly as they could. I wish that was to only scare i had to have dealt with that summer. Tell you about it tomorrow. Mom just said dinner was ready and we are having chicken spaghetti. Yum!

Sincerely,

Joel Higgins

September 23, 2015

Dear notebook,

It was my fault i know it was. I haven't been writing in you because my mom began taking us to grief counseling and I've been writing in a notebook there. It was my fault I know it was. I can't shake that feeling. Of seeing someone killed and knowing you could've stopped it, but you didn't. Because you were scared and selfish. I can't think straight anymore. It was my fault I know it was. Goodnight.

Sincerely,

Joel Higgins

October 23, 2015

Dear notebook,

The dog took you from my room and i just found where he hid it. I guess I might as well go ahead and tell you what I was talking about in my last entry. My dad and I casually strolled into a Shell gas station on the other side of Gulf Shores a week after they found Aurora.

My dad had his black Oakley's on and was freshly shaved. He drew stares from a couple of girls buying some drinks at the counter. He knew he drew attention from women all the time, but he was totally devoted to my mom and I respected him for that. He headed to the freezer to buy us some Fanta and Sprite as I grabbed a few bags of Lays and Doritos.

The bell rang as it always does when someone enters a gas station, so I thought nothing of it. Then I heard the voice that still haunts my dreams. EVERYBODY ON THE GROUND NOW! THIS IS A FULL BLOWN ROBBERY AND NOBODY IS LEAVING HERE ALIVE! I went into panic mode, but didn't cry because I knew my dad and I were smarter than this confused criminal. Only problem was I had no idea where my dad was. I built up the courage to peek around the corner and my worst fears were shattered.

Three white American teenagers waved pistols in the air as they demanded the cash. I saw my dad in three aisles down. He was holding his finger to his mouth as he gave me a look of fear I had never seen before from him. Five minutes later, they teenagers started walking around the store looking for victims of their horrendous act.

A frightened African American lady was the first to be found. All three men stood in front of her as they pointed their weapons, but the middle one had his legs spread apart. As the lady begged for her life on the aisle across from me, my dad crept over and drug me back to his hiding spot. The noise was deafening and my head pulsed because I had never heard a gunshot in person before. It was over for her. I began thinking it was over for all of us.

There was a third person on the aisle with my dad. He looked like a college student. I will never forget what he said. " I know these guys and I can negotiate them out of doing this. Sir, I will save you and your son's lives. Let me do this." My dad squeezed his shoulder with tears in his eyes and told him to go on.

Darn!My pen is running out of ink and I think dinner is almost ready. I'll try and not let a month go by when I write again! Haha!

Sincerely,

Joel Higgins