Home From Within by Jennifer McCartney, Lisa Maggiore

at her haters. She could see the strain on all their faces.
    “We’re just joking around with our friend, right?” said one of the girls. But Jessica did not respond. She looked at Mohawk girl with relief.
    “Yeah, right,” said Mohawk girl. “Quit fucking around with her or I’ll beat your asses.”
    In a flash, the girls turned around and continued changing into their gym uniforms. Jessica wanted to quietly thank Mohawk girl, but before she could, Mohawk girl was in the gym getting ready to slam some of those girls into the wall during floor hockey. Later that week, Jessica saw Mohawk girl outside walking by herself. She decided it was a perfect opportunity to say thank you. Jessica walked to where she was and then realized she did not even know her proper name.
    “Uh, excuse me.”
    Mohawk girl turned around wielding a cigarette in between her fingers. “Yeah.”
    “I just wanted to thank you for last week, you know with the girls in the locker room.”
    “No sweat,” she said, as she coolly blew smoke out of her mouth.
    Jessica was going to leave it at that, but she was so curious about two things: why she did it and were her parents okay with her hair?
    “I really appreciate you standing up for me.”
    Mohawk girl smirked. “I didn’t do it for you per se. I did it for all those who get picked on by the elite.”
    “Oh,” Jessica mumbled, feeling not so special anymore. “Can I ask you a question?”
    “Shoot,” said Mohawk girl.
    “Are your parents cool with your hair?”
    Mohawk girl laughed out loud. “Funny,” she said and walked away.
     

     
    Aunt Lodi brought the clothes to her father for inspection. After a few tense moments, he agreed she could wear them, but he would have to see the jeans on before giving his total approval. Her mother stood back with a grim look on her face. Jessica was careful not to show her happiness, in case her mother felt the need to squash it.
    The evening Aunt Lodi left, Jessica started to feel that deep lonely feeling again. She tried to cling to all the wonderful moments they had together but as Aunt Lodi’s car pulled out of the driveway, desolation washed over her.
    Jason turned to Jessica. “I’m sad.”
    No sooner was Aunt Lodi down the block when her mother demanded they get in the house. Everyone was to pitch in and help clean up the mess. The radio in the kitchen was tuned back to news coverage, and the whole family worked until bedtime sanitizing, mopping, and washing the entire house. Even her father, who rarely said one damaging word about his sister, agreed she was disheveled. Exhausted, Jessica dropped onto her bed. Before falling into a deep sleep, she pulled her pillows, including the ones she sneaked from Aunt Lodi’s bed, tight against her skin.

 
    C hapter 10
     
     
    On Saturday morning, after Jason and her father returned from a jog, Jessica was summoned to the office. She brought a pen and notebook so she could be as accurate as possible with her note taking. Her father was at his desk when Jessica walked in. He told her to have a seat and then handed her a piece of paper.
    “Here’s my family tree. Your mother’s is on the other side. Any questions?”
    Jessica studied the paper under duress; this was not how she envisioned this moment. Stories and memories were supposed to be shared. Aunt Lodi said everyone has a story to tell and Jessica wanted to hear it. She took a deep breath then swallowed hard, summoning up as much courage as she could gather between her fears.
    “Do you think you can tell me about your childhood?”
    His face tightened. “That’s in the past. This is now; this is where I want to be.”
    Jessica pursed her lips together. “It would add to the paper if I could have some more details.”
    “Be specific. What details do you want?”
    “Just one story about you, you know, and your parents.”
    He walked to the French doors and stared out for a few moments. The gray spring day brought a few sprinkles of