Forgotten Seventeen and Homeless by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson
Language: eng
Format: epub

"I'l bet you did, too."

She frowns slightly. "I wonder where that

photograph is ..."

Then, to continue my distraction efforts, I ramble

on a bit more about how my accessories won't be

pearls but fake diamonds, and final y seeing that

she's getting sleepy, I tel her good night and move

on to help another resident. It's weird how much I can

relate to old Mrs. Ashburn. It's like we've both been

forced from our homes.

But at least she has a warm bed to sleep in.

n Friday morning I feel strangely

energized. Like maybe I can pul this off for a while

longer after al . Knowing I have a night off from work-

not to mention going to the dance and everything

else-wel , I almost feel like I'm on top again. Like I

might be able to survive my life.

Bristol seems oddly quiet in art. Lindsey and I

make smal talk, and I'm a bit surprised to hear that

Lindsey is going to the dance too. For some reason,

I assumed this librarian's helper had little or no life.

"Byron's just a friend of mine from youth group,"

Lindsey admits to me. "But I think it'l be fun just the

same." Then she tel s me about her dress.

Something she and her mom found at a vintage

shop, and it actual y sounds very cool. I try not to feel

envious to hear of a mom who's involved with her

daughter like that.

"My dress is kind of vintage too," I say to Lindsey

as I smooth the tip of my charcoal stick into a point.

"How so?" Bristol asks.

I'm surprised she's even been listening to us, but

even more caught off guard by the frosty tone of her

voice. As a result, I'm sharply reminded that I'm

going to the very dance Bristol has been left out of ...

with the very guy she wishes she was going with. For

me to talk about it like this, right in front of her,

especial y considering how exceptional y kind she's

been to me lately, wel , it's not very thoughtful on my

part. I wish I could retract my entire conversation with

Lindsey. What was I thinking?

"It's just a plain black dress," I say quickly,

shrugging like Genevieve's favorite dress is simply

an old rag. "Pretty basic, real y." Then to change the

subject, I ask Bristol about her drawing, lavishing

what I hope sounds like sincere praise upon her.

But despite my efforts, she seems cool and

distant now. I'm certain I must've offended her. I so

wish I hadn't said anything about the dance. She's

obviously jealous. Final y the bel rings, and since I've

already packed up my things, I take off without even

saying good-bye. I cannot get out of the art room

soon enough.

"Hey, what's the big hurry?" Jayden jogs to catch

up with me on my way to the cafeteria.

"Oh, sorry." I slow down for him. "I guess I'm just

used to rushing around these days. It's like I'm on

fast-speed or something."

"So ... how's your mom doing now?"

"She's better. Fortunately, she's wel enough to get

moved to the nursing home now." As twisted as it

sounds, I actual y imagine a pale sick image of my

mom resting in one of the beds at River Woods

Care Center.

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