My name is Erica. I'm five and three quarters! I live in California with my mom, dad, and my big brother. It's hot here, but my dad has a good job, and he works in the city. I go to school at home, with my mom. She tries to help me learn.

I don't like my house. It's stinky and dark, and it is kinda icky. There's a lot of dirt and stuff on the walls. Sometimes I'll crinkle my nose at it, and act like I'm a monster. I have to be quiet, though. I don't want to wake Mama and Papa when they nap.

My brother is named Julian. He has a girlfriend named Anna, who goes to the same school he does! Julian goes to a big kid school, and my Mama says I can go there when I'm big enough. I'm just little now.

Julian is so nice! When I'm sad, he'll give me hugs. When Mama and Papa get angry, he makes sure I feel safe. They don't even get to hit me that much! I love Julian.

A lot of the time, when I'm alone with Mama, and Papa is at work and Julian is at his big kid school, Mama will drink her beer and her special drink for grown-ups. She sometimes gives me some, but I think it's yucky. So I only drink it when Mama says that I have to.

I can't read yet, but Julian says that when his school is over for the Summer, when it gets REALLY hot, he's gonna teach me! I'm so excited to read. I love, love, LOVE the idea of reading.

It's the third day since Papa went to work for the week. I think Mama calls it either Wednesday or Miércoles. It depends on what language she's speaking. If she had her grown up drink, then she calls it Miércoles. I don't know what to call it.

Julian is away at school. He always is when Papa is at work. Mama is starting to have her grown up drink when I eat my cereal. It tastes a little icky, but I don't wanna tell Mama because she might get angry. I don't like it when Mama gets angry when Julian isn't here. Sometimes she gives me boo-boos. She always says sorry, though.

She's playing the TV, watching her favorite show that Julian calls a "telenovela." I don't know what that means, but I watch it with her. It isn't very exciting, and sometimes I get confused because they talk so fast. They're speaking Mama's grown up language. Sometimes Julian speaks it, too. I don't know that much...

We're probably gonna watch the TV for a while. Mama always does. I sometimes take a nap, but I think I'm too big for naps, so I play quietly. Quiet like a beetle is what Papa calls it. I haven't seen a beetle, so I don't really get it.

We sit and watch the TV. Mama keeps watching her show, and I sit. I finished my breakfast, so I leave my dish at my table and watch the TV with Mama. She finished her adult drink a while ago. I'm glad I didn't have any. I think it's yucky.

After a while, Julian comes in. He looks tired. I feel tired. I yawn, big and wide. Julian smiles.

"You're tired already, Erica?" He chuckles, kissing my forehead. He always does that. "Well, guess we can't play together."

Mama looks up from where she sits. "Julian? Is that you? Grab me a beer, will you? Gracias, mi amor." Mama speaks her language so pretty. Julian does too.

I watch Julian walk into the kitchen. It's small and dark. He grabs a beer, and brings it to Mama. He comes back to me, sitting on the ground. "Come on, baby girl. Let's play."

He takes me down the hall to our room, and he hands me a doll. He grabs another doll. "Hi, I'm Jenna! What's your name?" He makes it sound like he's a girl. I think that's funny and I let out a laugh.

"I'm Anna! Like your girlfriend, Julian!" I laugh, smiling. Julian has big, brown eyes. They're so pretty. His hair is long and dark, but not long as mine. I like to tease him, because his hair isn't as pretty. "How are you, Jenna?"

"I'm go-" he stops talking and his eyes stop looking at the dolls when the door slams.

"Julian!" I hear Papa scream from down the hallway. "Where are you? Get over here!"

Julian looks scared. I give him a big hug, because that makes me feel brave when he gives me a hug. He pushes me away when he stands up, kissing my forehead quick. "Sorry, mija, I gotta talk to papa? Okay?"

I nod as he walks out of the room. He shuts the door quietly, and I can hear his footsteps go away from me.

I hear a loud smack, and I hide in the corner. I hold my dolls close, because I get scared when Mama and Papa are angry. Papa is angry with Julian.

"How dare you? I pay for you to live under my roof, and you FAIL math? How dare you?" I hear Papa scream, he's not happy with Julian. "You're grounded! Give me your things! You aren't to have dinner and breakfast for a week! If I see so much as a crumb in your room, I'll kill you, boy!"

Julian is quiet. I think he probably nodded to Papa. You can't talk back to Papa or Mama. They'll get more angry.

I hear foot steps in the hall, but I can't tell it's Julian until he opens the door. "It's okay, Erica. Papa just got angry. You're okay." He whispers, coming over to hug me. His cheek is red. "Papa is okay now. Don't worry. I love you."

I love Julian, too. He's the best older brother. He keeps me safe.

good day to you all. enjoy!