Read Online Homecoming Day by Holly Jacobs - Free Book Online

mural. I have this idea—”
    Laura nodded at the chair next to the desk.
    â€œBefore we talk about the mural, JT, we have to talk about another topic.”
    The girl looked nervous. “Did I do something else?”
    â€œNo, nothing like that. It’s…” Laura hesitated. Part of her wanted to ease into the subject, but instead, she jumped in head-first and handed JT a book. “I’d like you to read the first page to me.”
    JT glanced at the book, then at Laura. “Why?”
    â€œBecause I asked you to.”
    JT passed the book back to Laura. “Read it yourself.”
    â€œThat’s how you reacted the other day when the lieutenant asked you to read the instructions to him. And when I talked to your teachers—”
    JT looked furious. “Why did you talk to them?”
    â€œBecause I’m worried about you. We’re in your third month of high school, and you seem to be floundering. You’re passing your classes, although not by much. Mostly D’s and two very low C’s. Your French teacher said she was very pleased with your spoken vocabulary, but your written vocabulary wasn’t nearly as good. Your math teacher said you did great on equations, but had trouble with word problems. Do you see the theme? I do. So, JT, do you have difficulty reading?”
    JT kicked the side of Laura’s desk. Her heavy boot made a thud that reverberated. “I’m not stupid.”
    â€œNo one said you were,” Laura said gently. “But little things you’ve said and done lead me to believe you might be having a problem.”
    â€œYeah? Well, if I’m so stupid and can’t read, how’d I make it to the ninth grade?”
    â€œIf I had to guess, I’d say you’re very smart and learned a bunch of tricks that have helped you get by. That maybe when you’re asked to read something you don’t feel comfortable with, you get mad and cop an attitude.” She pointed at the book on her desk. “Anger is a great way of deflecting a problem.”
    â€œFirst, you’re a reading expert, now, you’re a psychiatrist? Gee, it must be nice to know it all, Ms. Watson.”
    â€œBeing snarky might work with other people, but I’m not backing down, JT.”
    â€œYou talked about my math and French teachers, but how about my English teacher? I bet Ms. Lutz didn’t tell you I had a reading problem. Bet she said I was a waste of time.”
    Laura didn’t respond because although Debbiehadn’t used those exact words, in essence that’s what she’d said.
    â€œHow come none of my English teachers ever said something? None of ’em, ever.”
    â€œI don’t know. But I’m saying something. I noticed. And I’m not going to let you pretend this away.”
    JT glared at Laura. “I can read fine.”
    Laura handed the book back to her. “Then read the first page.”
    JT shook her head. “I don’t have to prove anything to you. I don’t owe you anything.”
    â€œNo, you don’t have to prove anything to me, and you certainly don’t owe me anything, but I’m not going to stop nagging until you read a page out loud to me.”
    â€œWhy do you care?” JT burst out and jumped to her feet. “I’ve been trying to figure it out and can’t. Are you some do-gooder, or are you trying to find something to do since your baby’s daddy died? I’m not some distraction for you.” She paced to and fro in front of Laura’s desk.
    JT’s remark had been a direct hit, but Laura wouldn’t let her own pain dissuade her from what needed to be done. “JT, nothing, and no one could distract me from the pain of losing my fiancé. You’re not some charity case, some cause for me to focus on. This is me, caring about you. This is a teacher who’s concerned about a student. Read the page.” She picked up the