New School, New Life, New Everything
Friday, July 10, 2002
Journal,
I am an orphan and my mom died two or three weeks ago. My dad left when I was two. Now 12 years later I still have not seen him and my mom just died.
My aunt Anne picked me up today. I guess I have to live with her now until I’m 18. She is not fun at all. She lives in Alabama. She is old and has no kids and is not married. What am I suppose to do? I really don’t know her. All I know is she is my mom’s sister. I've met her twice at the most, but that was when I was four. Do I talk to her or just ignore her?
When we get to her house she showed me my new room. My room is in the basement. It’s scary down here and dark. Why can’t I have a room upstairs? There are like billions of other rooms, but no, I get the basement where all the bugs and mice are. Great!
Her house is big. She could fit 20 kids in here. It’s also old looking. Like from 15 years ago. The floor squeaks whenever you walk and the walls are bright red. Who paints their house bright red?
I should not be complaining though. I just went from an apartment to a huge house I get almost to myself, besides my aunt.
I’m hungry. Do I just help myself or ask? The problem is I don’t know how to get back to my aunt or the kitchen for that matter. Do I call for help or just sit there? It’s scary thinking about living here until I’m 18. Why couldn't just go live with my grandparents or someone go find my dad. Anything is better than living here. I’m not being ungrateful, some people don’t even have homes. I’m lucky my aunt (who barely knows me) took me in. Otherwise I could be living on the streets.
Grace

Monday September 5 , 2002
Journal,
Tomorrow is my first day of school. I have a hard time fitting in. I had one friend back in Arizona. Her name was Jessica. She told me that I needed to stay, but I couldn't do anything about that because the judge told me where to go and that would be my aunt’s.
Goodbye.

Tuesday September 6, 2002
Journal,
Today was the first day of school. We had to wear uniforms. I hate uniforms. I sat alone at lunch and nobody would help me find my classes. They said the principal was out sick today so that didn't help. He was suppose to show me around and get me some friends. Maybe tomorrow.

I got home at 3:05. When I got home from school my aunt’s car was gone. I didn’t know where she went. Maybe she left a note or maybe she thought she would be back in time. There was no note when I got into the house. So I just sat in the living room because I had forgotten how to get to my bedroom. I really wanted to take this uniform of. It was itchy and uncomfortable.

We live right across from the ocean. I really want to go get my swimsuit on and go swimming. Its about 85 degrees. Arizona is hotter, but its still pretty hot outside and it would be nice to take a swim.

Its 5:57 and my aunt still isn't home. Do I go look for her or call the police? I’m scared. We have never talked before so I don’t know if she has a job and she works until 8 or if she was at a friend’s house or if she was grocery shopping. Speaking of grocery shopping. I’m starting to get hungry. I haven’t eaten since 11:30 and now its 6:00. That was six and a half hours ago! Ugh you can hear my stomach growling all the way from China! Back in Arizona my mom worked from 7:00-2:00. So she was home when I got back from school. When she went shopping or to a friends house, she always took me with her. We also ate every four hours so we never had an empty stomach. So you can now see how hard it is for me considering I haven’t eaten in six and a half hours.
I had to clear my head so I went for a walk. When I got back from my walk which was around 7:30. My aunt still was not back. Now I was starting to freak out. I was going to call the police.
After they put me on hold for 20 minutes they came back to the phone.
“Hello, Addison police station,” the guy said.

“Hello,” I said, “ My aunt has been gone since 3:05. This is really not like her and I am starting to worry.”

“Alright do you want us to send out people to look for her?” he questioned.

“If you don’t mind, that would be great,” I answered.
“If we find her we will come to your house. May we have your address?”he asked.
“Yes, 5469 West Lincoln street, Addison,” I said.
“Great,” he said, “We will give you a call as soon as possible.”
I hung up more worried than I have ever been. I just sat on the couch in silence. About a half an hour later the police knocked on my door.
“Hello, police here. Please let us in!” some lady said.
I opened the door as quick as possible still worried about where my aunt was.
The lady told me that she had some bad new. I was so scared of what might have happened to her.
“I’m so sorry,” answered the lady, “Your aunt has died.”
I didn't even have time to hear what they said next because I shut the door almost crying. I know I didn't know my aunt that well, I just didn't have anyone else to live with.
Just thinking of going to a new school makes my stomach want to turn inside-out. That would be my second new school in less than one week. I would have no friends again and nobody to sit by at lunch again nobody to show me around again! Its hard being the new girl in school. I just want to go back to Arizona.
Good night.

Sunday September 17, 2002
The next morning my mom’s best friend came and got me I didn't talk at all. I just looked out the window hoping that I didn't have to move to a foster home.

Grace

Friday September 22, 2002
I have been staying with my mom’s best friend for the past couple of days. Yesterday I got and call from the police. They said it was about my aunt and they told me it was a long story and asked if I had time. I told them yes. They said that she was actually a ghost hunter and all of those rooms were for the ghosts she found. I was terrified when I heard this. They kept going and said that my aunt fell asleep and one of the ghosts, who didn't like her, had taken her to the car and drove her far away into a tree. That is how my aunt had died. I felt chills going up my back. What if one of the ghosts had come with me?
Goodnight!

Tuesday September 26, 2002
I was still scared about what happened the other day with my aunt and the police. Even though my mom’s best friend told me not to worry, I still did. I didn't know what to do! What if ea ghost did follow me home. What if my aunt was a ghost and I could see her. Does that mean I can see all ghosts? I don’t know and I hope not. I’m going to take a hot shower to get this out of my head.
Sincerely, Grace Riencraft.