Read Online Homecoming Day by Holly Jacobs - Free Book Online Page A

book and held it out to JT, waiting.
    â€œNo.”
    Laura had found that sometimes the best argument was saying nothing. She simply continued holding the book and staring at JT, waiting.
    JT’s pacing slowed, and she glanced at Laura and the book, but didn’t say anything, either.
    The minutes ticked by. Normally, Laura liked the sound of the clock. Each tick meant she was that much closer to the end of a school day, and when she was in a very pregnant mood, it was a reminder she was that much closer to her baby’s arrival. But today, those ticks represented a contest of wills. Hers against JT’s. And this was one battle Laura intended to win.
    Five minutes must have passed and Laura was ready to set the book down. Her arm was starting to shake from the effort of holding it, when JT sat back in the chair and took the book from her.
    She opened it to the first page. “The. WI. N. D. OW. Was. OP. OP. Op. En.”
    She slammed the book shut. “There. I read it. I can read, so you can quit worrying.”
    â€œJT, you read a sentence. Painfully. Laboriously.”
    â€œBut I read it.”
    Laura was by no means an expert when it came to teaching reading, but she knew there was a difference between being able to push your way through the letters and words, and being able to read.
    â€œListen, JT, I’m an art teacher, but even I know that being able to read easily is necessary in life. I want that for you. You’d have so much less trouble with your classes. Mr. Fritz, the guidance counselor, can set up some special—”
    â€œNo.” JT stood again. “He’s not gonna put me in the stupid classes. I won’t go. I’ll quit school first.”
    â€œJT, sit down. I’m trying to help.”
    Laura wasn’t sure JT would listen, but after a moment, she took her seat again.
    She hit the desk with her fist. “You want to help by putting me in with the rejects?”
    â€œThat’s not kind, and it’s beneath you. They’re simply students who have problems, or who need help to learn more efficiently. You need some extra help in order to—”
    â€œIf you put me in that class, I’m out of here. I mean it, I’ll quit school.”
    â€œJT.” Laura didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know how to communicate with this girl. She knew in her heart that helping JT wasn’t some way to fill the void. Laura was a teacher, trying to do her job. More than that, she liked the girl.
    â€œFine. I love reading, but I’m no English teacher. Still, if you let me, I’ll help you.”
    Her offer seemed to surprise JT. “Huh?”
    â€œI’ll help you. I’ll pick up some material, and then you and I will work here after school each day.”
    â€œYou’re not going to turn me in?”
    Laura shook her head. “I was never going to turn you in. I am going to talk to the principal—”
    â€œNo reject classes, right?”
    â€œRight. You’ll have to promise to work hard. But working hard to learn to read better can’t be any more difficult than struggling with words and having to cover it up.”
    JT didn’t have an outburst this time. She didn’t look angry or frustrated. She looked truly confused. “Why? You never answered why?”
    Laura smiled. “I like you. Why is that so hard to believe?”
    JT shrugged. “I do look in the mirror, so, I know, most people see the piercings and all the black.”
    â€œI am not most people. And you really need to see that you are special. You’re worth caring about.”
    JT snorted her response.
    â€œMay I talk to Seth, too? He noticed and is worried.”
    â€œYeah, but that’s it. No one else.” She paused. “He’s gonna think I’m dumb.”
    â€œNo, he won’t.”
    â€œYou know, you’re kind of naive, Ms. Watson.”
    â€œAnd you know, you have a great vocabulary.