Jolene's Story by Jolene Goh

Author:Jolene Goh
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789814408998
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish

My light case file

After lunch one rainy afternoon, Ms Choi and Ms Diane came looking for me. I was a little shocked to see them and I thought that something bad had either happened to my family or I had done something wrong. I broke out in cold sweat. I thought maybe they found the letters smuggled to me from my friends in the next block.

When we were in the room, Ms Diane took out my case file and then asked me, “Do you know what this is?”

I replied that it was my case file. She instructed me to lift it up and asked if it was light or heavy. I was puzzled at the question. When I didn’t reply, she asked again.

“Is it light?” asked Ms Diane. I was getting more confused.

“Yes, it is light,” I replied cautiously. “But why are you asking me that Ms Diane?” I could not resist asking her.

Ms Diane explained, “That’s because this is very important. For your time in the girls’ home, this case file has to remain as light as possible. The fewer documents there are in here, the better. It means that you have caused less problems. Every misdemeanour will be documented here, so every piece of information here is crucial for your release. Look at that file.”

And she pointed to another file at the other end of the table.

“That belongs to another senior girl here. She is going to be discharged in two months but looking at that file, her release would be reconsidered,” said Ms Diane.

Ms Choi sat quietly as Ms Diane went through my case file.

“Do you know why you are here today?” Ms Choi spoke up.

I shook my head in response.

“Would you like to go home soon?” she asked.

“Of course!” I replied, a little too loudly.

Ms Diane shuffled her feet and started to speak again. “Ms Choi and I have discussed your behaviour for the past five months here.”

So many thoughts went through my head. How was my behaviour in their eyes? I was dying to find out.

“You have always been courteous to the house mothers, we have not caught you doing anything illegal and you do your duties well. You don’t talk back and have not broken any rules. We have decided that you will be allowed to go on your first home leave in two weeks’ time,” said Ms Choi.

My eyes lit up instantly and I grinned from ear to ear. I couldn’t believe my ears and the only reaction was to stare at the both of them, dumbfounded.

“Congratulations, Jolene!” Ms Choi patted me on my shoulder.

“However,” Ms Diane interrupted, “I guess you already know the consequences of absconding from here. We hope you don’t betray the trust that we have in you.”

“Definitely ... I won’t, Ms Diane, thank you so much. Thank you Mummy Choi!” I thanked them as my eyes glistened with tears.

My heart was bursting with joy as I walked back to the dining hall. I couldn’t wait to tell my friends who were attending classes.

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