In Between by Jenny B Jones Read Free Book Online Page A

I couldn’t do that.
    No one is gonna cash a two-party check to a sixteen-year old girl with no ID.
    We sang some songs that were kind of lame. And then Mr. Scott got up at the podium and preached. (Why couldn’t he be something normal, Mrs. Smartly, why? Like a doctor, a lawyer, or even one of those plumbers who show way too much backside?) Everyone seemed to really get into Mr. Scott’s sermon. There were amens firing off all over the place. Then there was a time called an invitation, according to Mrs. Scott. That took forever. Come join the church! Come give your life to Jesus! Come pray at the altar! I think they should’ve passed out snacks during this portion of the service because I got a little hungry sitting there all that time. Maybe have a hotdog salesman come through the pews, like at baseball games.
    But it gets worse. At the end of the service, Mr. Scott introduced me to the whole church and makes me stand up there in front with him and Mrs. Scott.
    To add to the fun, everyone came up and shook my hand or hugged me. (Hugged me! Are you writing all of these things down in that file of yours?) I’ve never been so squished and shaken in all my life. I’d rather be yelled at for giving Jesus facial hair.
    You and I will be discussing this church business soon, Mrs. Smartly. Isn’t this infringing on my rights? My First Amendment rights? My Constitutional rights? My rights as a Texan? Didn’t they fight over the Alamo to secure my right to choose? I choose to not go to church! Remember the Alamo! Okay, so maybe I have the wrong battle in mind, but there has got to be some historical event or law that backs me up. This was never part of the deal. But of course, neither was a drooling, two-hundred-pound dog, but we will address him another day.
    So tomorrow is school. Can’t wait. You have got to know I’m eaten up with excitement over Monday morning. You can’t contain this kind of enthusiasm. This kind of spirit belongs on the Chihuahua cheerleading squad.
    What if everyone hates me? What if someone shoves my head in a toilet and gives me a swirly?
    Mrs. Smartly, I think I just want to come back. I don’t think I can do this. Maybe tomorrow will be such a catastrophe they will send me back. You know deep in your heart you want us to be reunited.
    Okay, maybe you don’t, but I still would like to get out of here.
    Did I mention Millie Scott has been pretty cool? You would like her. And frankly, she could teach you a thing or two about fashion. She knows it all. She has my wardrobe completely trendy. But I did find out for sure those cushy-soled lace up shoes you wear are definitely not in this year. Thought you should know in case you’d like to update. I say that because I look out for you, Mrs. Smartly.
    Just like you should look out for me and get me out of here.
    So Millie Scott is okay so far and has been sticking pretty close. But Mr. Scott (you know, the preacher), he doesn’t really have too much to say to me. I guess he’s just really busy, but we women know when we’re getting the brush-off.
    Well, I’m getting tired. This is more writing than I did all last year in school. I thought I should update you on everything though. I figured you’d probably had some sleepless nights, being worried about me and all, so I wanted to let you know how it was, and also let you know I can be packed and at the end of the driveway in two minutes and seven seconds. I’ve timed it.
    I will let you know how my first day of school goes. If I survive it. I do have something special picked out to wear to school tomorrow. I want to make quite an impression.
    Okay, so hugs and kisses to Trina and her knife set.
    Counting the seconds until I see your polyester dress again,
    Katie Parker

Chapter 10

    M orning. Ugh. My alarm clock is so loud it sounds like the town’s tornado siren is in my room. I was awake most of the night. Again. I did a lot of tossing and turning, as well as a good amount of thinking and