Read Online A Home for Jessa by Robin Delph - Free Book Online Page A

quickly gathered her things and went into one of the stalls. She waited to see if anyone came in before she came out of the stall, after no one did she decided to go put her stuff in her locker and go wait for Summer.
           “You look awful.” Summer told her when she got out of her mom’s car.
            “Thanks a lot.” Jessa grinned.
           “What happened?” Summer asked.
           “I didn’t get much sleep last night. Every time I tried to doze off some woman tried to steal my shoe right off my feet.” Jessa told her.
           “Jessa I’m starting to worry about you. You can’t keep living like this, isn’t there somewhere you can stay?” Summer asked.
           “Like where Summer, where am I supposed to stay?”
            “The church has a shelter for people to sleep at night so they will be safe.” Summer suggested.
           “I know, but when a kid stays they have to call a social worker and then they’ll take me back to the orphanage.” Jessa said.
           “Is it really that bad there? I mean you would be safe, have a roof over your head and food.” Summer said.
           “Summer I can’t believe you just said that. I’m safer homeless than I ever have been there. I mean nothing bad happened at the orphanage, but they just keep placing you in foster homes. I have been beat, raped, starved and abused. So no, I won’t go back there. Besides I can get a job when I turn sixteen, then two years after that I can get my own place.” Jessa explained.
           “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