Which reminds me, I’m sorry about your mom and everyone else who lost their jobs when the show got canceled. My dad says it’s just temporary until everything gets figured out. As soon as that happens, everyone can go back to work, and we can come home, and things will get back to how they used to be. I just want you to know none of what they’re saying is true. Missy Stephenson is not telling the truth. My dad didn’t do what she said. He would never do that to someone, especially not a celebrity guest who is also a movie star. I really hope you know that. My dad’s whole job is taking famous people to high-stakes games. As if he would ever do something to one of them!

You might be wondering why we just disappeared a couple of weeks ago. Maybe you’re even a little mad about it. Well, we had this family meeting, and my dad explained the misunderstanding that happened at work. It was pretty bad. The meeting, I mean. No one likes family meetings, unless they’re about where to go on holiday. Even then they’re not that fun in our family because my sister hates sunshine and joy. But this meeting was extra bad.

My mom didn’t speak the whole time. My dad said he had to go away for a while because of the misunderstandings and false accusations. But he promised it would all work out and that we should follow his Rule #2 for Having a Lucky Life: Look for the Upside. As you know, my dad’s English accent always makes him sound like he knows what he’s talking about and like you can trust him.

My mom and Kate were so upset we didn’t really finish our terrible family meeting, which was a relief. But right after, like the same day, my mom made me and Kate pack up our stuff and she drove us here, and my dad went to a treatment center for people who are having problems, like being addicted to drugs or gambling, which is quite sardonic (I think that’s the word?) seeing as he’s a professional poker player and gambling is sort of his job, or it used to be. I guess in his case he’s staying there to help with how it feels to be misunderstood for being funny and friendly and maybe giving a few too many hugs to celebrities who aren’t used to being touched so they accuse you of taking liberties and ruin your whole life, and the lives of your children.