I have been sixteen for two whole weeks now and I have to say that I don't feel any different than I did when I was fifteen. But then again being fifteen didn't feel much different than fourteen. I guess you don't really notice how old you're getting until you're suddenly thirty and realize it doesn't feel much different from twenty-nine but is very different from being seventeen. At least that's what I think. I wouldn't know since I'm only sixteen.
Since this is my diary I guess I should tell you about myself. My name is Skylar Engle, and as I just pointed out. I am sixteen. I currently live with my mother in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness. Seriously, no joke. We're about half an hour away from the nearest town by dog sled. Which, by the way we do have. We aslo have about seven dogs to pull that sled. We don 't go places very often, but they're there just in case we need supplies or a doctor or something.
Our house is kinda small but secure. My mother has been expanding it steadily since I was born. Originally it was only two rooms - a living/sleeping room, and a kitchen. Now there are three bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. We also have a storage shed where the sled is kept and the dogs sleep. My mother seems to have developed a passion for building, and she's not that bad at it.
Since it's after midnight I guess I'd better go to bed now and maybe something exciting will happen tomorrow that I can tell you about.
September 19th
Today was a pretty interesting day. Aunt Clarice came by, which usually livens things up around here. She's my mother's sister - only one as far as I know, and she's pretty cool. Mom doesn't talk about her family much. From what Aunt Clarice has told me, I know she had a bit of a fight with her parents after she got pregnant with my older brother. She eventually gave him up for adoption and I don't know where he is now, but Mom never mended that rift between her and her family.
Anyway, to get back to my point, today Aunt Clarice showed up - unexpectedly, of course - and announced that she is going to be staying with us for about a week. Mom grumbled about this at first but eventually gave in as she always does. She can't say no to Aunt Clarice. I don't think anyone can, honestly!
So Aunt Clarice set herself up in teh spare rroom and ordered Mom out of the kitchen while she made her famous beef soup. Of course I got to help out - chopping vegetables and such - and it was as good as always. It made me wish I could stay in Alaska with Mom forever. But I know that eventually I'll probably have to go stay with George again.
Oh my, look at the time. Better get some sleep. I'll explain about George tomorrow.
September 20th
Aunt Clarice brought some interesting things with her this time - Books! That might not seem that great to anyone else, but to me it's like gold! I love to read, but of course Mom doesn't have the most interesting collection. It's rather small, and most of it is just books of spells. They mostly have spells that don't interest me - like how to cure someone of Balvazian flu (which I've never heard of) and how to turn a frog red. Besides, even if I did have a frog Mom won't let me try any of the spells, anywho. She tells me that I'm too young.
But today, Aunt Clarice brought all sorts of books. A few magic books, a few spell books, but also story books and school books!
I guess you must be wondering how I get educated living in the middle of Alaska. Truth is I don't. When I'm at George, I get tutored along with his kids, but when I live with my Mom I don't have any sort of learning. Just books that I read. Aunt Clarice's books should keep me busy for a while.
September 23rd
I'm so angry! I guess I should have expected it - but still! I'm so angry!
Today Mom got a letter in the mail back from George. Turns out the end of October it's back to South Dakota and away from Mom.
I guess I should explain about George. It's kinda hard. George is this friend (i guess) of my mother's. He's kind of old...probably almost sixty, and he's rich. That's why his kids are tutored. George is short, bald and rather chubby. Actually he's kind of fat, but no one ever says that out loud. He doesn't talk much, but he's hardly a pushover. When George wants something, he gets it.
I wish I could tell you about how I get along with George, but he's hardly there. His kids, Colin, who's a year younger than me, and Susan, who's eight, hardly see him either. When I'm there I spend all my time with the kids and their tutors.
It's not that I don't like George. I don't really even know him. And I get along great with Colin and Susan. It's just that I would so much rather stay with Mom.
She's never really explained why I have to spend so much time with George. I know he isn't my father - she's explained that much at least. If he was it would make sense but he isn't, so I really don't see why I have to stay with him.
Mom told me the news right after dinner and I was really annoyed. Aunt Clarice was there the whole time or I would have really let loose. But I tried to control my temper and just asked why.
Mom just answered, same as she always does, that it was safer with George and she wanted me to be safe.
I tried to get her to explain what exactly I was safe from. But she didn't explain. She never does. She just keeps insisting that it's "safer" for me in South Dakota. So I went back to my room to cool off. It's about three hours later now and I'm still a little angry. I don't think I'm going to speak to my mother for the rest of the week.
On to part two
