No Place by Todd Strasser

Author:Todd Strasser
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

19

That night on the phone Talia and I smoothed things over. But it was starting to feel like each time we saw each other, a problem developed that related to me being homeless. And this time there were other repercussions. The next morning after second period, Noah and I were passing the counseling office when Ms. Reuben came out. “Oh, Dan,” she said as if seeing me reminded her of something. “Don’t go anywhere.” She went back into her office and returned with a folder. “You’ve got a study hall seventh period. Why don’t you come down here.”

“How come?”

“We’ll chat about your current situation.”

* * *

Had this happened to Meg, too? For the next few periods I kept an eye out for her. Maybe she could give me an idea of what I was in for. But seventh period arrived before she did.

When I got to the counseling office, Ms. Reuben wasn’t alone. Coach Buder and Mrs. Collins, the school psychologist, were also there. “Have a seat, Dan,” Ms. Reuben said cheerfully.

What’s Buddha doing here? I wondered.

Ms. Reuben interlaced her fingers and leaned forward with a smile. She was a hefty lady with rosy cheeks. “So, how are you?” she asked, like this was just some friendly get-together.

“Fine, thanks.”

She nodded as if that was what she’d expected me to say.

“And your family?” asked Mrs. Collins, looking concerned through her large, round glasses.

“They’re fine. We’re all fine. Look, whatever’s going on is just temporary, okay? It’s not like I’m the only kid in school who . . . who doesn’t have a place to live right now.”

“We understand,” Ms. Reuben said with a phony smile. “We just want to make sure you’re okay. Are you getting enough to eat?”

“Yes.” Even if I was accepting handouts from the lunch ladies.

“Did you know you probably qualify for the free breakfast and lunch program here at school?” added Mrs. Collins.

The bus circle was right outside the cafeteria, so every morning the free breakfast kids were on display for everyone who took a bus. I couldn’t imagine myself being part of that spectacle.

On the other hand, free lunch sounded great as long as some gong didn’t ring every time I got one. “I wouldn’t mind free lunch, thanks.”

“Excellent.” Mrs. Collins wrote something down on a pad. You could see it made her feel good to be able to help. “Do you need an address?”

“Sorry?”

“For your mail. We can arrange for you to get it here.”

“Oh, uh, thanks, but my dad got us a post office box.”

“Do you take the school bus, Dan?” Ms. Reuben asked.

“Not if I can avoid it.”

“We recently arranged for a stop . . . so that it’s not immediately obvious where you’re living? It was a bit tricky because officially, you no longer live in the school district.”

“But of course you can stay and finish the year,” Mrs. Collins added hastily.

That was a jolt. It had never occurred to me that if you had to move because you were homeless, you might have to change schools, too.

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