Throw Away Teen (31 page)

He hadn’t done anything to me before, but this was the first time I’d been home alone with him. I hadn’t really freaked when Liz left to go see Evelyn. I guess I’d expected her to be home before he was. He waited until I answered before opening the door, then he just stood in the doorway and gave me his usual grin. “Hi, B.J. How was school?”

“Okay,” I said. So far, so good. I wasn’t sure if I liked being here alone with him. “I did cheer practice again. I think I’m going to ace the try-outs.”

“All right. I have faith in you.” He stopped and looked at the puppy—kitten pile in the middle of my studio floor. “Well, I’ll be hornswoggled. When did we get cats again?”

“Hornswoggled?” I repeated. “What kind of word is that?”

“It means I’m amazed. Did you bring them home?”

I hesitated. “Yeah, it was kind of a rescue. Liz said I could keep them.”

“Of course you can.” Ted walked across the room and bent to pet all the animals. “You’ll have to think up names for them. Where’s Liz?”

“She went to see Evelyn.”

“Okay. Well, let’s go put on supper. She’ll be hungry when she gets home.” I still felt uneasy, but decided to just stay out of his reach and close to the back door so I could run if necessary. “Sure,” I said. “I already started the spuds. We just need to throw a salad together.”

***

After I did the dinner dishes, I went into the living-room. Ted and Liz weren’t around so I grabbed one of the big pillows. Guard and I cuddled up to watch
Bones
. The kittens shadow-boxed over by the picture window. The boy, all gray with white feet, was bigger than the fluffy tabby, his little sister. I’d have to think up names for them, but right now I wanted to get lost in my favorite show.

I hadn’t decided what to do about Liz and Ted who were probably having a gab session in their room. I really liked them, but shouldn’t they just talk to Jocelyn and Laurie, not use Zach and Evelyn to get at them. It made me wonder what was going to happen when I screwed up. Who would they call to straighten me out? If it was Carol, she might freak like most caseworkers and move me. And I didn’t want to go!

On the bus the next morning, I told Willa about the kittens and what happened with Sarah’s mom and sister.

“Wow, that sounds awful,” Willa said. “I’m glad I wasn’t there. I don’t know what I’d have done. Anyway next time I stay over at your house, I’ll help think up names for the flea-lions.”

I laughed. “That’s a good idea since Ted is calling them Pete and Repeat.”

“And I’ll ask my folks if Sarah can come on Saturday night,” Willa went on. “It’s not fair to leave poor Sarah stuck in hell.”

That surprised me. I didn’t think Willa even knew the word, much less used it.

We headed for the espresso stand as soon as we got off the bus. Once we had our mochas, we joined Sarah and a couple other cheerleaders at their table. Sarah’s eyes were a little puffy and I gave her a quick one-arm hug. “Hi. Are you still beating yourself up because your mom’s a bitch and your sister’s a twit?”

Sarah managed a weak smile. “Actually, I’m surprised you’re even speaking to me, B.J. after what happened yesterday.”

“I still don’t see how any of that was your fault. Besides, I’m surprised you’re talking to me after I called your mother a bitch,” I said. “I guess we both have stuff to handle.”

Her smile widened, became more genuine. “I just admired your guts.”

“Same goes,” I said. “If I had to live with your family, I’d be running for the streets of Seattle. It’d be a lot nicer place to live.”

Rita pushed a package of chocolate doughnuts at me. “Have one. I already told Sarah that nobody blames her because her family puts the fun back in dysfunctional.”

“Well, except for Warren.” Kaitlyn tossed her mane of strawberry blonde hair. “He’s okay.”

“More than okay,” Rita agreed. “But Vonnie has a thing for him, so we can’t chase him.”

Willa stirred her coffee with the straws. “I think we should set it up so Sarah can spend more time at our houses and less at hers. Since none of us want to stay at hers, right?” Willa asked. Rita and Kaitlyn shook their heads, almost in sync. Would I learn to do that when I was a cheerleader? “So, I’m going to ask my mom if you can stay over on Saturday, Sarah. And you’ll be at B.J.’s tonight.”

Sarah smiled and nodded, her eyes watery.

“No offense, Sarah, but your stepdad’s downright rude,” Rita said. “He’s not as mean as your mom, but he comes close.”

“My mom will freak if I’m not home to babysit,” Sarah said, “but I could leave as soon as my stepdad arrives to take care of his kid. He’s usually there by six and Warren will cover for a half-hour if he needs to, but Princess Priss won’t like it.”

“Then, we’ll pick you up at six-thirty,” I told her. “Have your stuff ready. Hiding out at Liz and Ted’s is a good idea. Liz went over and talked to your grandma last night about what your mom did.”

“Oh, that’s gonna go over well.” Sarah heaved a sigh. “Grandma hates being put in the middle. She’ll tell my mom that she’s an embarrassment.”

“Yeah, sounds like major meltdowns to me,” I agreed. “And Liz already told Jocelyn not to embarrass or shame her.”

Sarah shuddered. “It’s hard to believe that Aunt Liz and Uncle Ted met during a war when they avoid confrontations so much. Neither one tells my mom what they think of her behavior.”

“Maybe, it won’t do any good.” I finished my mocha, remembering the way they stepped up with my backpack and how Ted made Ringo and Gabe back off instead of fighting. “But if they get my social worker or guardian ad litem involved when I screw up, I’ll be back in the youth center or in teen boot camp before I can blink.”

“Tell your lawyer that you don’t want to go,” Willa told me. “She has to represent your interests and do what you want, right? And that will give you time to work things out with Liz and Ted.”

“Yeah.” Gawd, she was sharp, smarter than I’d originally thought. I was lucky to have her on my side. The first bell rang and I stood. “Come on, Willa. Let’s get to class.”

***

When I hustled up the drive after school, the B.M.W. was back. Oh my Gawd, didn’t the woman have somewhere else to go? I could think of a few places to recommend, but I wouldn’t. I opened the back door. Guard broke away from Chance and bounced over to woof at me. I bent down and scooped him up. Hugs and kisses ensued, brightening my afternoon.

Standing by the counter, Liz turned and smiled at me but continued talking on the phone. “B.J. just walked in the door, Jessie. Do you have time to meet her?”

“I want to talk to my Aunt Jessie again.” Chance picked up one of the nameless kittens. “Can I, Gramma?”

“You already did,” Jocelyn said. “Once is more than enough.”

“After B.J. gets done, you can,” Liz told Chance, ignoring Jocelyn’s exasperated sigh. “Unless she has to give the satellite phone to another soldier.”

I carried Guard and my backpack over to the phone. He swiped at my makeup with his sloppy tongue so I put him down but he didn’t go back to Chance. Instead, he collapsed on my foot like he knew I needed him. I hesitated, suddenly nervous. Why? I hadn’t been that scared when I was on the streets of Seattle. Why be afraid of some Army woman? “Hi,” I finally said into the phone. “I’m B.J.”

“Hey, B.J.” Weirdly enough, Jessie’s voice sounded a lot like Liz’s and that made me feel more comfortable. “Aunt Liz was telling me about your kittens. I used to bring home stray dogs and cats all the time.”

“Did you get to keep them?” I asked, interested in spite of myself. “Liz said I could have the kittens forever.”

“That’s the same thing she always told me.” Jessie laughed. “I offered to find them homes if they took Jocelyn to the pound, but they never took me up on that.”

I grinned. Jessie sounded like she could be a friend if I let her. “Are you really in the Army and in Afghanistan?”

“Yes, but I’ll be home in time for Thanksgiving,” Jessie said. “I shouldn’t have sniped about Jocelyn. Sorry. I’m sure the two of you get along great.”

“Not hardly,” I said, glancing across the room at the woman who gave me the stink-eye. “She can’t stand me and I haven’t even pissed on her shoes yet. And Laurie dumped me off in the middle of Stewart Falls, but I figured out a way home anyhow. I followed a trail of pizza crumbs to Parthenon and the owner called Liz for me.”

“Good for you.” Jessie took a deep breath. “Sounds like Laurie’s off the wagon again. When she’s drinking, it’s a good idea to stay away from her, B.J.”

“I didn’t smell it on her.” I paused. “But then if it was vodka I wouldn’t, right?”

“You got it, kid. How old are you? Fifteen going on forty?”

“No. I’ll be sixteen in July.”

“Well, that makes you almost a year older than my daughter. When I get back, we’ll have to visit. You’ll like Nikki. She loves animals too.”

Oh yeah, Jessie had a daughter. I remembered Liz and Ted mentioned it before when we toured the house. “Where is she?”

“With my ex-husband. Her dad works in Paris.”

“France? No way.”

Jessie laughed again. “Yes way. Once you get to know us, we’ll arrange for you to visit our home in California. When I’m stateside or somewhere I can have her, Nikki lives with me.”

“It sounds like fun, but what about Guard and my kittens?”

“Aunt Liz and Uncle Ted will take great care of them while you’re gone. But never leave them with Jocelyn. When it comes to animals, she gives blondes a bad name.”

“Got that right,” I said. “Thanks, Jessie.”

“No worries. We need to get to know each other, B.J. I’ve already signed the papers so that if something happens to Aunt Liz and Uncle Ted, you’ll come live with me and Nikki. Actually, it’d be the other way around. I’d put in for my retirement and we’d move up to Washington to live with you.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. From a group home where nobody wanted me, I’d found Liz and Ted who did. Now, their niece said she did, too. “Are you for real? You don’t even know me.”

“Get off the pity pot,” Jessie ordered, sounding stricter than Liz. “My aunt and uncle are happier than they’ve been in years. They think you’re the greatest. And their happiness is important to me.” She stopped, obviously listening to somebody I didn’t hear. “Okay, I’ve got to get back to work, honey. Give Aunt Liz and Uncle Ted a hug for me.”

The dial tone buzzed in my ear for a moment or two then I replaced the receiver. “She said to give you a hug, Liz.” So, I did. Ted could get his from her.

When I stepped away from Liz, Chance gave me the kind of look that any smart foster kid learned to master in the first home. It was the look that said she was being picked on and hadn’t done anything wrong. “I wanted to talk to my Cousin Jessie.”

“
I told you that you didn’t need to talk to her more than once,” Jocelyn said, her hands fisted on her hips.

I bent to pet Guard who was lying on my foot again. “She had to get back to work. Maybe, you could write her a letter.”

“
She’s only four. She can’t write yet.” Jocelyn went to the counter for another cup of coffee.

Disappointment was all over Chance’s face. “Then I’ll write it. And you could draw some pictures for her, Chance. I’ll teach you to write your name, too.”

“
And we’ll put it in the box that the 4-H kids are sending her,” Liz said, smiling. “But not right now, girls. B.J. has to go to karate. Then, Dallas will be here to teach puppy obedience.”

“
Sarah’s coming tonight,” I reminded her. “We have to pick her up at six-thirty,” I said.

“
That’s right. We have lots to do today.”

“
Grandpa said I get to do karate when I’m six,” Chance told me. “We can write to Cousin Jessie next time I come.”

“
Okay.” I headed for the stairs, Guard right behind me and Chance trotting after the two of us. “I’m just going to put away my backpack and grab my gi.”

“
I know, but I like going places with you,” Chance said.

“
Okay, but we have to hustle.”

“
Okay.” She dashed up the stairs ahead of me, Guard scrambling after her.

When I heard Jocelyn speak, I slowed my pace. “I wanted to talk to Dad. When will he get home?”

“
Between six and seven,” Liz said. “You know that. It’s the usual time on Fridays. Why?”

“
Because I promised Zach I’d take care of things. He’s upset about Dad coming to see him and being caught in the middle.”

“
I guess you should’ve thought of the consequences before doing so many reprehensible things.”

“
I didn’t know Dad would tell my husband that he should control me better,” Jocelyn shot back. “I’m thirty-five.”

“
Then act like it,” Liz snapped. “Your dad’s a Marine. He could’ve confronted you about your choices and your actions, but he’s done that before and it hasn’t worked. So, he chose to go to your commanding officer instead. It all runs down-hill, Jocelyn.”

That was interesting. I stayed on the steps and listened as Jocelyn went off about being her own woman and not answering to her husband or being in the military. And Liz told her she wouldn’t have lasted a single day in uniform, much less made it through boot camp or survived in a combat zone.

“
Oh really?” Jocelyn said in a super snarky tone. “And what about your new pet? Could she march in a straight line?”

Liz laughed. “Honey, she could have taught the drill instructors to suck eggs when she was Chance’s age.”

Chance came back on the steps. “Come on,” she told me.

Holding her hand, I headed upstairs, wondering if I’d been wrong about Liz and Ted. Would they really talk to me when I screwed up or would they go to Carol? Last time, Liz had taken me outside to apologize to Carol when I got in her face. Was that something I could expect all of the time? Or was it a one-time thing? And what was going to happen next? I wished I could have stuck around and listened a while longer.

On the way to karate, I sat and watched her drive. Finally, I asked. “Did you talk to Laurie about Sarah spending the night?”