"Billy's Bulletin"

 
 

The Unexpected Birthday Gift
Hi, I’m Eduardo. For my birthday, I wished with all my heart for a laptop. And I got it! It was a gift from my grandpa.
However, my dad said:

—You’ll have to use it to write and do your schoolwork. But I’m not going to connect it to the WiFi, because that would distract you, and you wouldn’t work seriously.

I felt a little sad. But my grandpa, with his wise smile, told me:

—Look, it’s not such a bad situation. If you show responsibility with your laptop, your dad will trust you more, and maybe later he’ll let you connect it to the internet. Do you know what I got when I was your age?

Then he took an old notebook with yellowish pages and a ribbon with a lock out of a box.
—This was my diary. I used to call it “Newsletter Number 1.”

—Why did it have a lock? —I asked, curious.

—Because a diary should be secret, just for you, your best friend on paper.

—WOW! —I exclaimed—. I want one like that too. On the computer, my parents can spy on everything!

—I used to write about everything: what I felt, what I lived at home or at school. And I kept writing even as an adult. This was my first notebook… but I have many more, even one I still use today.

—That’s awesome! If you like the idea, tomorrow I’ll bring you one like it and show you my own “Newsletter Number 1,” —he promised.

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The Secret Diary and Newsletter Number 1
The next day, Grandpa Billy kept his promise. He gave me a notebook with a lock and a little golden key to keep my secrets safe.
He also gave me his own Newsletter 1.

When I unlocked it, I felt something special.
What secrets would Grandpa Billy be hiding in those pages? And I began to read…

Year 1968 – Third Grade – Billy’s Newsletter
My family is made up of Mom Catalina, Dad Emiliano, my two older brothers: Diego (very studious, wants to be an engineer), and Mateo (also a good student, probably will be a veterinarian).
And me? No idea yet!
Then there’s little Ámbar, and Grandma Emma.
Oh! And we also live with Robby, Grandma’s ginger cat, who sleeps in his basket next to the fireplace in winter and under the trees in summer.

Let me introduce everyone because you, notebook, will be my confidant. I’ll call you “Buddy.” You’ll help me keep everything I feel and think.

Today my friend Javier came to pick me up so we could go to school together. I called him from the window and let him into the house while Mom was making breakfast.
—Who’s your friend? —she asked.
—He’s Javier, he’s in third grade with me. His dad is the blacksmith who lives two blocks away.

Javier was excited because his dad is making something special for the school: “The Tree of Dreams,” a metal tree where kids can hang drawings, letters, and messages.
It’ll be a magical mailbox, visible to everyone, full of wishes and hope.
He asked us to study hard this year, because dreams also need effort to come true. Well, that’s what the grown-ups said, but much later my friend Javier and I discovered a secret that I’ll tell you about later, dear “Buddy.”

Mom noticed that Javier’s uniform was wrinkled and missing a button. Without saying a word, she ironed it, sewed a button on, and gently combed his hair.
Then she asked:
—And how’s your mom doing?
—She’s still in the hospital. On Sunday, Dad will take me to visit her. I really want to hug her and have her back home soon.

—Everything will be alright —Mom told him—. Today you’ll have lunch here. Tell your dad not to worry.
Then she whispered in my ear:
—Take care of your friend at school.

I hugged her and said:
—Even if you seem strict, you’re the best mom in the world. I love you so much!

And Mom, with a smile, said:
—Hurry up or you’ll be late!

Right, Buddy? I have a very special mom.

And What About the Tree of Dreams?
At that moment, Grandpa appeared behind me and asked:

—Have you read anything yet? Are you enjoying it?

—Yes, Grandpa. Great-grandma was really kind!
And did you really build the Tree of Dreams?

—Keep reading… and more surprises will come.

End of Chapter 1