Read Online Throwaway Girl by Kristine Scarrow - Free Book Online

home life with her mother either. Trina’s mom, Lucy, had become unexpectedly pregnant with her too, but at age fifteen. Lucy had grown up in poverty herself, so she didn’t know any other life. She hadn’t been ready for parenthood. Because she was so young, her friends were out partying and having a good time. Lucy didn’t want to miss out so she left Trina alone for long periods of time so that she could go out with her friends. A neighbour called the police after realizing that Trina and her little sister had been left alone in the apartment for two straight days, and the girls were put in foster care.
    Trina’s been in ten foster homes in ten years. She’s even been in juvie a few times. She’s got quite the rap sheet. She’s been charged with theft, assault, trespassing, carrying a weapon, and a few failures to appear in court. Her quest to have someone, anyone, care about her has put her in a whole mess of toxic relationships, mostly with guys who show the slightest interest in her, but who are all terribly wrong for her. She’s begged, borrowed, and stolen for almost every guy she’s dated. She’s even taken the rap for them, keeping them out of jail by confessing to the police that she’d done it all and they’d had no part.
    Caseworkers and various police officers have all tried to reason with her and get her back on the straight and narrow. “This isn’t the right path for you, Trina,” they’d say, knowing full well that although Trina’s childhood hasn’t been the best, the guys in her life had been orchestrating the criminal activity all along. But Trina is loyal, and the caseworkers and the cops aren’t the ones holding her at night, telling her how beautiful and tough she is, making her heart swell with pride. Her boyfriend Jeremy was doing that, and if ripping off an old lady in the street or robbing a convenience store was what it took to hear those words, she’d do it.
    â€œWe’ve got a new placement for you. It is part of your conditions,” her caseworker had told her shortly after her release from the last thirty day sentence. Where? How far away? The thought of leaving Jeremy for any length of time would be unbearable. But Jeremy assured her he’d get her out quickly so that they could build a life together.
    â€œThey’ve got a spot for you at Haywood.”

Chapter 10
    September 2003
    â€œB ernice , honey, where are you?” Shelley calls. I am sitting against the big oak tree in the backyard with a notebook and a pen. I am writing a story. I’ve been writing a lot lately. My teacher keeps encouraging me to write. He says I have a great use of language and vivid imagery. He tells me that I have a gift and that I should continue to develop it. I’m discovering how much I love to write. Just like reading, I can escape for a while and get lost in the page. Luke has even bought me a pink spiral notebook to support and encourage me. I’ve been writing in it diligently every day.
    I am writing about a young girl who is very sick. Her parents love her with all of their hearts and they are determined to save her. I already know how it’s going to end. Although her situation seems dire, in the end she’s going to make it.
    â€œI’m here,” I yell back at Shelley. I peer at her from around the tree and she smiles and waves, satisfied now that she knows where I am. I return to my page with my thoughts tumbling one after another, my pen moving furiously to capture it all. “Just like me, you’re going to get a happy ending,” I tell my character. “You’ll think that it’s all over for you and then a miracle happens to change everything.”
    I smile as I continue writing. I feel powerful wielding this pen, weaving this story. I can decide the fate of my characters with the scrawl of my hand. Great things can happen when you least expect them.
    I’ve