Read Online Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Melody Carlson
Tags: Fiction, General, Juvenile Fiction, Social Issues, Religious, Christian, School & Education, High School, Schools, High schools, Christian Life, Homelessness & Poverty, Homeless Persons, Christian Young Reader, Homeless Teenagers
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scolding was for licking my finger when I wiped a spot of spilled chocolate pudding from the countertop. The irony there is that I've seen Mary lick her fingers numerous times. But I guess when you're the head chef, the rules change.
Mary's shift ends at six, which leaves me to finish the cleanup on my own tonight. But I don't mind. In a way it's kind of peaceful being in the kitchen alone. Also, time passes more quickly when you stay busy. So I'm not complaining. And just like that, my shift is over too. I punch out, grab my jacket, and head for home.
I feel a little uneasy as I walk down the darkened street. But not because I'm worried about muggers or anything. I'm used to being out after dark, and I pity anyone who tries to make trouble for me since I took karate in middle school and I know how to scream at the top of my lungs. In other words, I'm fairly street smart. Mostly I'm uneasy about the fact that my mom is still gone. Oh, I didn't expect her back this soon. And yet I hoped she might call. But I just checked my phone ... she hasn't.
As I let myself into the condo and lock the door, I feel lonelier than ever. This probably won't last for long. Maybe I should enjoy it a little. My guess is that my mom will be back by the end of the week. Maybe sooner. And hopefully I'll be paid by then and able to stock our kitchen with some food.
I'm just starting in on my homework when my cell phone rings. I grab it up, hoping it's my mom. But it's Isabella.
"I found a dress to die for."
"To die for, huh?" I set down my pencil and listen as she describes what actually sounds like a pretty cool dress. "So, did you get it?"
"Not yet. I thought I should make sure you and Lily approve."
"You need our approval?"
She laughs. "No, of course not. But I wanted you to see it first. I've got it on hold until tomorrow. Can you go with me after school to-?"
"I can't," I say quickly. Then I go on spinning a lie about how my mom's still really sick and how I need to be here to help her.
"Wow, that sounds serious." Isabella seems genuinely
concerned. "Has she been to the doctor?"
"Not yet. But if she's not better, I might need to take her in tomorrow.
"Well, how about if I send you a photo of the dress."
"Great idea," I tell her. "But really, you should probably just get it. I mean, it sounds gorgeous."
Then she tells me the price and I almost fall over. It would take me a month's salary to buy a dress that costly. Still, I don't act shocked. And when she says it's really a good deal, I agree with enthusiasm. But after I hang up, I realize that I am totally out of my league here. And I will have to think of some way to get out of this dance without hurting Jayden's feelings.
I close my math book, wander out into the living room, and just start pacing. Really, there has to be a way out. Maybe I could tell him I belong to some weird religion where dancing is not acceptable but that I temporarily forgot. Or perhaps I could fake a broken leg. It would be hard to dance with crutches. Of course, that would require money to rent crutches. Money ... money ... money. If only there were some simple legal way to get some.
Then I remember something. There have been times when my mom, desperate for money, pawned something of value. And sometimes she'd hold on to the ticket long enough to get the item back after she got flush again. So now I'm strolling around my house looking for items of value. But it's pretty bare bones in here. And I don't really have anything that would bring much. Even my cell phone is a cheapie. And my mom doesn't have any valuable jewelry anymore. Not that I'd consider pawning something like that anyway.
the only things worth considering are the thirty-inch flat-screen TV and Blu-ray DVD player my mom insisted on splurging on. As I recall, they were about four hundred dollars. Still, I can't imagine how angry my mom would be to come home to find that I'd pawned her TV. Of course, it might be what she deserves for
Mary's shift ends at six, which leaves me to finish the cleanup on my own tonight. But I don't mind. In a way it's kind of peaceful being in the kitchen alone. Also, time passes more quickly when you stay busy. So I'm not complaining. And just like that, my shift is over too. I punch out, grab my jacket, and head for home.
I feel a little uneasy as I walk down the darkened street. But not because I'm worried about muggers or anything. I'm used to being out after dark, and I pity anyone who tries to make trouble for me since I took karate in middle school and I know how to scream at the top of my lungs. In other words, I'm fairly street smart. Mostly I'm uneasy about the fact that my mom is still gone. Oh, I didn't expect her back this soon. And yet I hoped she might call. But I just checked my phone ... she hasn't.
As I let myself into the condo and lock the door, I feel lonelier than ever. This probably won't last for long. Maybe I should enjoy it a little. My guess is that my mom will be back by the end of the week. Maybe sooner. And hopefully I'll be paid by then and able to stock our kitchen with some food.
I'm just starting in on my homework when my cell phone rings. I grab it up, hoping it's my mom. But it's Isabella.
"I found a dress to die for."
"To die for, huh?" I set down my pencil and listen as she describes what actually sounds like a pretty cool dress. "So, did you get it?"
"Not yet. I thought I should make sure you and Lily approve."
"You need our approval?"
She laughs. "No, of course not. But I wanted you to see it first. I've got it on hold until tomorrow. Can you go with me after school to-?"
"I can't," I say quickly. Then I go on spinning a lie about how my mom's still really sick and how I need to be here to help her.
"Wow, that sounds serious." Isabella seems genuinely
concerned. "Has she been to the doctor?"
"Not yet. But if she's not better, I might need to take her in tomorrow.
"Well, how about if I send you a photo of the dress."
"Great idea," I tell her. "But really, you should probably just get it. I mean, it sounds gorgeous."
Then she tells me the price and I almost fall over. It would take me a month's salary to buy a dress that costly. Still, I don't act shocked. And when she says it's really a good deal, I agree with enthusiasm. But after I hang up, I realize that I am totally out of my league here. And I will have to think of some way to get out of this dance without hurting Jayden's feelings.
I close my math book, wander out into the living room, and just start pacing. Really, there has to be a way out. Maybe I could tell him I belong to some weird religion where dancing is not acceptable but that I temporarily forgot. Or perhaps I could fake a broken leg. It would be hard to dance with crutches. Of course, that would require money to rent crutches. Money ... money ... money. If only there were some simple legal way to get some.
Then I remember something. There have been times when my mom, desperate for money, pawned something of value. And sometimes she'd hold on to the ticket long enough to get the item back after she got flush again. So now I'm strolling around my house looking for items of value. But it's pretty bare bones in here. And I don't really have anything that would bring much. Even my cell phone is a cheapie. And my mom doesn't have any valuable jewelry anymore. Not that I'd consider pawning something like that anyway.
the only things worth considering are the thirty-inch flat-screen TV and Blu-ray DVD player my mom insisted on splurging on. As I recall, they were about four hundred dollars. Still, I can't imagine how angry my mom would be to come home to find that I'd pawned her TV. Of course, it might be what she deserves for
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