A Home for Jessa (2 page)

    “Hello Ms. Parks. How are you today?”

     “I’m fine Mrs. Drew.”

     “Have a seat Jessa.”

     Here we go Jessa thought.

    “Jessa I was looking over your file and it has come to my attention that you haven’t been placed in a foster home in two years. Now as I am sure you know our goal is to place children in foster care in hopes of finding adoptive parents. That way they can have a real family and a stable home one day. Do you understand?”

    “Yes Mrs. Drew I do, but I am happy being here. I don’t really want to be in a foster home.” Jessa said.

     “And why is that Ms. Parks? Don’t you want to have a real family some day?” Mrs. Drew asked.

      “Yes I would, but have you heard some of the stories the kids that come back here tell about the foster homes they have been in. some of them are beaten, starved and others have had much worse happen to them.”

       “That’s enough Ms. Parks. I will not tolerate you saying such things! All of the foster parents are thoroughly screened and the accusations made by the child are always checked out. And for your information none of them have
ever been found to be true. With that being said go pack your things Ms. Parks a social worker will be here soon to take you to your new foster home.”

       Jessa new there was no use in saying anything else about. She just stood up and headed upstairs.

     “Oh and Jessa,” Mrs. Drew called after her “I don’t want to hear another word about the matter. Do you understand?”

      “Yes Mrs. Drew.”

       “Good now go pack.”

       Jessa pulled the tiny suitcase form under her bed and began packing. It wouldn’t take her long to pack since she hardly had anything. All of Jessa’s belongings fit in the small suitcase with room to spare. With that done she decided to finish a short story she had started a few days ago while she waited for the social worker to come get her. Writing and church seemed to be all the joy she had in life and she was worried that her new foster parents wouldn’t take her to church or let her write. No matter what Mrs. Drew said I know those kids weren’t lying about what had happened to them in there foster homes she thought as she closed her journal. “Lord Jesus I pray that you watch over me as I go to this foster home please be with me and keep me from harm. Amen.”

     “Jessa Parks, I’m Mrs. Turner I’ve come to take you to your new home. Are you ready dear?”

      “Yes Mrs. Turner.”

    Jessa followed Mrs. Turner downstairs and out to the car parked in front of the building. I dread this oh how I dread this Jessa thought as she climbed in the backseat. What if they don’t like me, what if I don’t like them. Jessa wrapped her arms around her stomach so she could try and relieve some of the knots that were starting to form. Oh Lord please be with me she silently prayed.

    “Well Jessa this is it. Here is your new home,” Mrs. Turner announced as they pulled up the driveway.

    Jessa’s heart sank even lower when she looked at the house. It was a nice enough house but what bothered her was the two little boys passing a football in the front yard. She knew that most foster parents took in more than one child at a time but why did it have to be boys.

    “You ready Jessa,” Mrs. Turner asked.

     “Yes,” was the only reply Jessa could give for she knew she couldn’t say no. It wouldn’t do her any good she would still have to stay. As she stepped out and walked toward the house with Mrs. Turner she saw a man and woman step onto the front porch.

    “Jessa I would like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Harris.”

    “You can call us Rick and Sara and these are our two boys James and Nelson,” Mr. Harris said.

     “Well I will leave you all to get acquainted,” Mrs. Turner said handing Rick Jessa’s bag. “And if you need anything or have any problems feel free to call.”

     Jessa watch Mrs. Turner drive away. Not wanting to go in the house but knowing she had to.

   “Come along Jessa,” Sara called. “I’ll show you your room.”

                             Chapter Four

       Jessa had been at the Harris’ for two weeks and she didn’t like it at all. Her room is in the attic, the boys tease her all the time and when she tells on them they lie and say they haven’t done anything. Of course their parents believe them over her because after all they their kids. I don’t even get to go to church she thought to herself. The only good thing is I get to go to a school instead of the orphanage classes.

     “Jessa breakfast,” Sara called.

      Sara always waited until the boys were done eating before she called Jessa down. Jessa knew once she was finished eating she was to wash and dry the dishes. It seems to me Jessa thought that all the Harris’ wanted was a housekeeper. Since she had been her all the chores had fell to her. While James and Nelson got to go outside and play Jessa had to do all the cleaning. A few days after she was here she said something to Rick about the boys not doing anything and that she wanted to go out and play to. All that got her was a hard slap across the face and a warning not to talk back to him again.

     “Jessa,” yelled Rick “Sara said breakfast. Now get down her NOW!”

    Normally one would say coming but Rick would take that as back talk and then Jessa would get slapped. To Jessa Rick was a mean man and Sara was no better for letting him do the things he did. Or maybe she wasn’t? Jessa thought. Maybe she didn’t have a choice? I’ve never seen him be mean to her but I’ve never seen him be nice to her either, he was always good to the boys though.

    “Jessa what took you so long?” Rick asked as Jessa entered the room

     “I was making my bed and tiding up my room.”

      “Still no excuse, you need to start getting up earlier. Now hurry and eat so you can do the dishes and clean the kitchen before school.” And with that he stomped out of the room.

      Jessa quickly ate her breakfast then started cleaning up. We had chore to do back at the orphanage too but not like this she thought as she scrubbed the oven. A lot of the things they have me do are not needed every day. Every day everything has to be cleaned from top to bottom like the oven. Who needs their oven cleaned every day and if it’s use for dinner then it has to be cleaned twice a day. Even if something is already clean it has to be cleaned again.

       “Jessa the bus is here,” Sara said entering the room.

       “But I’m not finished cleaning and if I leave it Mr. Harris will be mad.”

        “Rick has already gone to work, so go on and I’ll finish.” Sara smiled.

        “I’m afraid he’ll find out then I’ll be in trouble Sara.”

        “Don’t worry I won’t tell him. Now go to school and have a good day.”

        Maybe Sara wasn’t so bad, Jessa thought as she grabbed her books and headed out the door. She has never really been mean to me and she isn’t the one that tells me I have to clean everything. Maybe it was just Rick. But why is he so mean to me? I’ve always done was he has told me to do and I’ve been nice, even to James and Nelson. And that has been a hard thing to do.

       School was great Jessa had all A’s and her English and reading teacher had both said that she had the potential to be a great author someday. That excited her more than anything, to think me an author someday Jessa thought as she worked on her assignment. And in that instant Jessa decided she didn’t want to write short stories anymore she wanted to write a novel.

       All through lunch and recess Jessa thought about the novel she would write. What would it be about she thought and what would be the title? Would anybody even want to read it? The bell rang and Jessa went to her locker to get her things and head out to the bus.

      “Jessa,” her English teacher called. “Can you come here for a minute please?

       Jessa ran into the classroom wondering what to expect.

     “Jessa I want you to have this,” she said handing Jessa a book. “It’s a book to help with you writing. You are very good, but if you’re going to write a novel someday you will need something to help.”

      “Thank you so much,” Jessa said taking the book.

       “Now run along or you’ll miss your bus.”

        Jessa was more excited now than she had ever been. She had someone that believed in her writing and that thought she was good enough to be an author one day. Nothing could ruin her good mood. She ran to get on the bus she wished she had someone she could share her good news with but she didn’t. It was made perfectly clear by Rick that he did not approve of her writing, he had told her if he caught her writing he would burn her journal. Maybe I can sneak and tell Sara she thought, but quickly decided against it. What if one of the boys overheard her and told Rick. That’s how she got in trouble for it the first time. No she would just have to keep it to herself, but going without writing was another thing she didn’t know how much longer she could. It was her passion.

            
             Chapter Five

       Jessa smiled the whole way home, but once the bus stopped in front of the house her smile quickly faded. Rick was standing in the door waiting for her and the boys to get home. Just the sight of him made her feel nervous. Jessa thought to herself I’ll just stay out of his way today. I’ll go in and start cleaning and do my homework later maybe if I do that he won’t have a reason to get mad at me. Jessa got off the bus and headed toward the house. On her way through the door she heard James and Nelson tell their dad that they needed to talk to him. Jessa figured they had got in trouble at school again so she went straight in and start cleaning. A few minutes later she heard Rick come through the back door.

       “JESSA GET IN HERE,” Rick yelled.

       Jessa shook all over when she heard him yell for her. She dropped the rag she was using to dust and ran into the kitchen.

       “Did you clean the kitchen this morning before you left?” Rick asked.

        Before she could even answer Rick said. “Don’t you dare even say you did, James and Nelson both saw you leave and Sara cleaning up.”

       “But the bus was here I had to go to school and Sara said it was okay,” she replied.

        “IDON’T CARE WHAT SARA SAID I TOLD YOU TO CLEAN THE KITCHEN,” he yelled.

         “But I had to go to school,” Jessa said and immediately she wished he hadn’t said it.

          “ARE YOU BACK TALKING ME?”

        Before Jessa knew what had hit her he slapped her across the face. He had hit her so hard that it knocked her into the wall. Jessa heard a cracking sound when her shoulder hit the wall and she knew it was broken. Then Rick grabbed her by the arm twisted it and pulled her up the stairs, threw her in her room and slammed the door behind him. She laid crumpled up on the floor sobbing so hard that it shook her whole body. All she wanted to do was go to sleep right where she was but the pain was so intense she couldn’t.

       A few hours later she her foot steps outside the door. Please Lord don’t let it be him please, she silently prayed. When the door opened she was relieved to see Sara enter the room.

      “Jessa, quickly grab a few of your things and come with me,” she said in a hushed voice.

        “I can’t Sara I think my arm is broken.”

       Sara quickly grabbed Jessa’s back pack and threw in a few of her clothes. “Jessa can you get up can you walk?” she asked.

       “I don’t think I can.”

       Sara grabbed Jessa and helped her up. They made their way down the stairs and out the back door. Jessa didn’t know what was going on as Sara put her in the car.

       “Where are we going?” Jessa asked.

       “I’m going to take you to the hospital to get you checked out,” said Sara.

       “Thank you Sara.”

       They drove the rest of the way in silence. At least I know Sara’s not mean Jessa thought, but why did she bring some of my clothes? When they had pulled up in front of the hospital Sara just sat there.

      “Jessa this is what I need you to do,” Sara said, “I’m going to let you out and you go in. Please don’t tell them what happened if you must don’t say anything at all please. If you do they’ll take my boys. Don’t even tell them were you have been living or that I brought you here. They’ll check you out and call a social worker. Do you understand what I am saying?”

       Jessa nodded her heard yes and opened the door.

      “Jessa,” Sara called out, “I am so sorry.” Then she sped away.

      Jessa was so dizzy from the pain that she thought she would collapse right there in the parking lot. She gritted her teeth and started to make her way to the door when a woman spotted her and ran over to her. Jessa knew she looked awful. Her face was all bruised, swollen and streaked with tears. Not to mention she couldn’t hardly walk. As the women got closer to her she could feel herself about to pass out. The last thing she felt was the woman’s arms around her and the woman saying something but she couldn’t make out what and then everything went black.