A Home for Jessa (8 page)

       “I’m sorry Jessa, like I said I just worry about you.”

       “That’s the bell lets go before we are late.” Jessa said as she turned to walk away.

       Jessa’s first two classes seem to drag on forever. I guess it’s were I can’t wait to see if Miss Waters liked my story and I could get into the young author’s club Jessa thought. I hope I do it may help me with my novel. The bell rang and Jessa jumped in her seat.

       “Lost in thought Ms. Parks?” Her math teacher asked.

        “Sorry.” Jessa said as she headed out the door.

        Catherine couldn’t help but notice Jessa when she came in. She doesn’t look like she did when I saw her this morning, she thought. She has on different clothes and her hair is wet. I know she didn’t go all the way back home and shower. Should I ask her? No I had better not, I need to just leave well enough alone.

       “Miss Waters did you get a chance to review my story?” Jessa asked.

       “Yes I did and I must say I was impressed. You have a real gift for writing.” Catherine told her.

       “So did I get into to the club?” Jessa asked.

       “Not just yet. I’m just the overseer of the club, the club president has to make the final decision on new members. Come by the class after school and we will present your paper and statement and you should you should know something tomorrow.”

       “Thank you Miss Waters.”

       Jessa waited patiently all day and it was finally time to go see the club president. Upon entering the room Jessa noticed that all most all of the members were juniors and seniors. There wasn’t one freshman in the whole group. The president told her he would put it to a vote and give her their final decision tomorrow after school.

       Jessa was so excited that she almost forgot her books in the classroom and had to go back to get them.

       “She will never do.” She overheard a girl say.

       “We have had freshman in the club before. How do you think most of us got here.” A boy said.

       “That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.” The girl said.

       “Then what are you talking about?” ask the boy.

       “You’re going to make me say it aren’t you. Fine she doesn’t belong in this club, look at her she looks like a homeless person you would meet on the street. Who would take us serious with someone like her in our group? No one would that’s who.”

       “That’s enough. Shall we put it to a vote?” Jessa heard the club president say.

        “I for one vote yes.” The boy said.

       Jessa heard a bunch of the kids say no.

       “That’s it then. She will not be joining our club. I let Miss Waters know and she can tell her tomorrow.” said the president.

       That broke Jessa’s heart into. She ran out the crying. They won’t let me in their stupid club because how I look, Jessa thought. That’s fine who needs them anyway.

                         Chapter Eighteen

       The next day at school before Miss Waters had a chance to tell her she wasn’t accepted into the club Jessa decided to tell her she didn’t won’t to join the club. She told her that she had changed her mind and was more interested in just doing her work and studying.

       In away Catherine was relieved that Jessa had decided not to join. Now she didn’t have to tell her she wasn’t accepted. Although I don’t understand why she wasn’t, Catherine thought. She is a better writer than most of the kids that are in the club. Sometimes things just don’t work out the way you hoped they would.

       Over the next three weeks Catherine found herself liking Jessa more and more. Jessa was quit, shy and was an excellent writer, but something seemed off about her. She would come to school most times wearing the same clothes and looking as if she had hardly slept. Maybe something was going on at home.

       “Jessa may I see you after class?” Catherine asked

       “Yes Miss Waters.”  Jessa said.

       I wonder what she wants Jessa thought. I know it’s not about the young author’s club and I have been getting good grades in class, so what could it be about. Jessa thought all during class on what her teacher wanted to talk to her about. As soon as class was over Jessa went to talk to Miss Waters.

       “Jessa the reason I wanted to talk to you is because you always look so tired and unkempt. Is there something going on at home? If there is maybe I can help you.” Catherine told her.

       “No Miss Waters everything is fine.” Jessa said.

       “Jessa if you ever need to talk I’m here for you.”

        “Can I go now I don’t want to be late for my next class?” Jessa asked

        “You can go. Just remember what I said.”

        Jessa hurried to her next class. Thankful that it was Friday and she was going to stay with Summer this weekend. After school Jessa waited outside for Summer.

       “Hey Summer are you ready to go?” Jessa asked.

       “About that, Jessa you can’t stay with us this weekend.” Summer told her.

       “Oh okay.”

       “I’m sorry Jessa we are going to my grandparents for the weekend.” Summer explained.

       “I understand. And it’s okay really, I can find somewhere to stay. See you later Summer have a good weekend.” Jessa called as she walked away.

       I don’t have a clue where I’m going to stay this weekend, Jessa thought. Ever since they tore the abandoned houses down I have been staying at Summer’s on the weekends. Under the bridge is okay during the week but on the weekends it’s kind of scary and I don’t know how I’m going to eat. Ever since the soup kitchen started turning in all the kids that came to social workers I can’t go back there. I’ll figure something out.

        So far Jessa’s weekend had been awful. Someone had stolen her shoes and half of her clothes. I’m glad they didn’t get my laptop, Jessa thought. However, I haven’t had anything to eat since Friday afternoon. Maybe I can go to the diner and see if anyone has left anything on their plate. So Jessa headed across the street toward the diner, but when she got about half way there she got very dizzy and lightheaded.

       Catherine had just came out of the diner when she noticed Jessa standing in the middle of the street. She waited a moment to see if she was coming her way when she noticed Jessa was pale as a ghost and just kept standing there. She called out to her but she didn’t hear her. Then she watched Jessa collapse. Catherine ran over to her.

       “Jessa, Jessa can you hear me? Jessa honey what’s wrong?” she said as she lifted Jessa’s head.

       “Miss Waters what are you doing here?” Jessa asked.

       “I was coming out of the diner and saw you collapse. What’s wrong, are you hurt, are you sick?”

       “I’m fine really. I guess I should have ate this morning.” Jessa told her.

       “Come on I’ll get you something to eat.”

       Jessa wanted to tell her no, but she was so hungry she couldn’t turn down a meal. She got to her feet with the help of Catherine and they went to the diner. Once they got there Catherine ordered her a fried chicken dinner and a soda. Jessa was so hungry that her manners left her and she just started eating as fast as she could.

      Catherine tried not to watch Jessa eat but she couldn’t help it. She acts as if she hasn’t eaten in days Catherine thought.

       “Thank you I feel much better now.” Jessa told her.

        “Jessa how long has it been since you last ate?” Catherine asked.

       Jessa didn’t lie and she wasn’t about to start now. “I have to go.” Jessa said as she jumped up and rushed out the door.

       Catherine just sat there stunned. Why did she take off like that, she thought as she paid for the meal and left. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. Jessa is such a sweet
girl and something is going on. Lord please help me to be a help to this child. Help me to know what to do, she silently prayed.

       I have been homeless for two years and no one has seemed to expect anything so why does Miss Waters. Jessa thought as she headed across the street. I’m going to have to be more careful or I’ll end back up in the orphanage.

        
                    Chapter Nineteen

       It had been a month since Jessa’s run in with Catherine and Jessa had managed to stay as far away from her as she could. She sat in the back of the class and run out the door as soon as the bell would ring.

       Catherine noticed that Jessa had been doing all she could to avoid her. But why, she thought. To make this worse Jessa now looked worse than she ever had. Twice she had come to school with bruises on her face and arms, she was so much thinner now than she was and she was so pale with dark circles around her eyes. Something was wrong and if someone didn’t help the poor girl she was afraid she would end up dead.

       “Jessa you look awful.” Summer said.

       “Thanks a lot.” Jessa replied.

       “You know what I mean. Jessa maybe it’s time you told someone about your situation and got some help.”

       “Geese thanks for being such a good friend. What are you afraid to been seen with me now? Oh I know you don’t to be my friend anymore so sending me back to the orphanage would be great for you.” Jessa coughed.

       “What is your problem? I’ll always be your friend, I’m just worried about you Jessa.

I’m afraid I’m going to lose you.” Summer explained

       Jessa never said a word she just walked away.

      Catherine walked around the corner and say Jessa and Summer talking. After she saw Jessa walk away she decided to go talk to Summer.

        “Hello Miss Waters.” Summer said.

        “Summer may I talk to you in private please?” Catherine asked.

        “Sure.”

         They walked down to her classroom and closed the door.

        “Is something wrong?” Summer asked.

       “I believe so. That’s what I want to talk to you about. Summer how long have you known Jessa Parks?” Catherine asked.

       “I have known her since I was twelve. Why?”

       “Is everything okay with her at home? I mean she looks awful and I fear that something bad is going on. I want to help her but I don’t know what to do.” Catherine started to cry. “She is such a sweet and talented girl I would hate to see anything happen to her. Please if you can help me to help her.”

       Summer didn’t know what to do. She was worried about her to and Jessa did look awful anymore. Do I tell her so she can help her or do I just keep my mouth shut?

       “I understand if you don’t say anything.” Catherine said.

       “I have to go. My mom is waiting.” Summer said as she got up to leave.

       “Summer wait, here is my number. Don’t hesitate to call if you ever need to.”

       Summer new exactly what she meant. She took the number and left. Oh Jessa why won’t you let someone help you.

       Later that night Summer couldn’t get Jessa off her mind. What if I don’t tell and something bad happens to her, she thought. It would be all my fault. If I do tell though Jessa will never talk to me again. After an hour Summer decided that she would rather lose Jessa as a friend then let her lose her life. She grabbed the number from her Jacket and called Miss Waters.

       “Hello.”

       “Miss Waters it’s Summer. Can I talk to you?” Summer asked.

       “Sure.” Catherine replied.

       Summer told her everything. What Jessa’s foster parent’s had done, how she had been homeless for two years and about her book. She told her everything.

       “I’m just so scared for her. Can you please help her?” Summer asked.

       “Summer can you tell me where she is now?”

       “She is under the bridge by the mall.”

        “Thank you Summer. I’m going to go get her now.”

       I hope Jessa understands, Summer thought. I didn’t do it to hurt her but to help her. Miss Water said she would call as soon as she got back from getting Jessa, so I need to stay awake. I hope Jessa is okay. I have a bad feeling.

       Catherine left her house in a hurry. She had to find Jessa and bring her home with her, it’s freezing out here, she thought. When Catherine got to the bridge she got a flashlight out of her trunk to help her see. As she walked under the bridge what she saw chilled her to the bone. She saw two men holding something down as she got closer she saw that one man was holding a girl down why the other raped her. Oh my it was Jessa. Catherine quickly picked up a stick and started beating them. Both men jumped up and ran off leaving Jessa laying there bleeding and beat half to death.