Home

by Brenda Kearns

  Then she turned to Stone and took a deep breath. “We want...”

  “I know what you want, and it turns out you’re going to get it,” Stone said, sounding disgusted. “You’ve been approved for an overnight visit with your mom. You’re going there tomorrow night.”

  Allie stood, mouth hanging open, trying to keep her breathing steady as the excitement bubbled up inside her.

  “This is ridiculous,” JoJo muttered, as she scrubbed the kitchen counter. “You saw what happened today. How did that earn her an unsupervised sleepover?”

  “I tried to fight it, but it’s out of my hands. My supervisor figures that if they’re heading home, we should move things along to get your home opened up for new foster kids.”

  Allie hated it—really hated it—when they talked like she wasn’t in the room. But she stayed silent, barely breathing. This was actually going her way. Blissfully, totally, completely her way.

  “She’s not ready to have those kids back. They’ll end up hurt,” JoJo said, as she tossed dirty pots into the sink and grabbed her scrub brush.

  Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Allie kept her teeth clamped together so she wouldn’t slip up and say something stupid.

  “I’m sorry, JoJo. I tried, but I couldn’t stop this. It’s out of my hands.” Stone picked up her briefcase and headed out the door.

  Allie didn’t move. Didn’t say a word. She watched silently as JoJo scrubbed a dirty frying pan like she was trying to kill it.

  “Well, you won,” JoJo said, under her breath. “You got what you wanted.”

  “I don’t know why you care. I already told you we’re not staying here.”

  JoJo dropped the scrub brush into the sink and turned to Allie. “I care because your mom hasn’t gotten any help, yet. I care because I want you to have a happy life, and I don’t think it can happen if they rush you back before she’s ready.”

  “This isn’t my home. I want to go home!”

  Allie threw open the door and ran. She ran into the fields, tripping and stumbling, blinded by tears. She ran until the tornado of anger and fear in her chest finally faded, then stopped and stared at the setting sun, letting the evening breeze dry her tears.

  One more day closer to going home, Allie reminded herself, as she struggled to catch her breath. She turned back and headed toward the barn. She wasn’t ready to face JoJo. Not yet.

  Allie crept up the rickety ladder into the haymow, her small, bony hands gripping the rungs. The foster workers all said she was too skinny. It was true, but she could fix that at home. She could ask Mom to buy more food.

  When she reached the haymow, Allie crawled on all fours to the nearest pile of loose hay. She made a little dent in the middle—a nook just big enough for her body.

  She crawled into the makeshift bed, lay down on her side and curled up into a ball. The warm light of the setting sun bounced off of Allie’s skin, giving it an odd glow. She lay still, chewing her thumbnail.

  Suddenly, Allie’s eyes shot open. Five pudgy little mice were peeking at her over the edge of her bed. The tiniest mouse set one delicate paw on the hay and leaned in close—so close that it almost touched Allie’s eyelashes with its delicate whiskers.

  Allie blinked, and mice scattered in every direction in their panic to get away. When the skittering died down, Allie reached out and touched the spot where the tiny, warm creatures had been sitting just seconds before. She hugged her knees to her chest and closed her eyes.

  **

  “Allie, wake up.”

  No. The dream was too perfect...Allie, Luke and Madeleine in a big, new car with their mom...

  “Allie, wake up.”

  No. She wanted to enjoy the dream—to memorize every detail.

  “Allie, I’m sorry.”

  Allie opened her eyes. It was JoJo.

  “Allie, I shouldn’t have been so crabby. I’m sorry.” JoJo smiled. “Luke and Madeleine are refusing to go to sleep. They’re insisting that they need one of your bedtime stories. Apparently, mine aren’t good enough.”

  Allie sat up and tried to brush the hay off her clothes.

  “If you get changed, I can toss that stuff in the wash,” JoJo said. “Oh, and Madeleine showed me the books you tucked under the mattress in your room.”

  Allie blushed and looked away, waiting to get in trouble.

  “Allie, you can read any book in the house, any time you want,” JoJo said. “Just stop using them as mattress filler.

  CHAPTER 10

  Allie shot out of bed at 9 o’clock. This was the big day. If their mom could just hold it together for this visit—this overnight visit—they’d be able to go back for some weekend stays, then home for good!

  She touched the big how-to-fix-anything book that was sitting on her dresser. She’d finish it when they got back tomorrow.

  Allie changed into clean clothes, then headed downstairs for breakfast. The kitchen was oddly quiet—just JoJo sitting at the table, sipping tea and reading a book.

  “Good morning,” JoJo said, smiling. “Arthur and Jonathan are down the road harvesting green beans. Old Mr. Winters can’t do it on his own, anymore. His back gets too sore.”

  “When do we leave? How do we get home?” Allie couldn’t hide her excitement, even though she saw the worried look creep across JoJo’s face.

  “Mrs. Stone said she’d be here by 4 o’clock to pick you up.” JoJo put down her book. “The boys did most of the chores. We just need to take care of Tripod, then we can eat.” JoJo glanced at the stairs and smiled. “You can help, if you wish.”

  Luke was sitting on the bottom step. He looked scruffy and sleepy, but he was already dressed in nice pants and a shirt.

  Allie followed JoJo out to Tripod’s spot.

  “Oh, wow.” Allie watched, as Tripod rolled onto his belly and ate right out of his dish.

  “Yep, dogs bounce back fast. And he’s a tough little guy, too.”

  JoJo glanced at Allie.

  “We could get you braces to fix that gap, you know. Child Protective Services would pay the whole shot.”

  Allie clamped her mouth shut. She’d been pushing her tongue through the hole between her front teeth. A disgusting habit.

  “Braces take two years. I’m not staying here.” Allie stared at the dog so she wouldn’t have to look at JoJo. “I’ll be home before school starts. You’ll see.”

  “Allie...” JoJo sighed. Neither of them spoke as JoJo opened the first aid kit and carefully pulled the gauze off Tripod’s stump. The sharp, acidic smell made Allie glad there was a breeze. “Hand me the antiseptic, please,” JoJo said.

  “My mom wants me back.” Allie gave JoJo the bottle. “She was a good mom before. She can do it again. I’m not spending ninth grade on a stupid hick farm in the middle of stupid nowhere.”

  Only seven weeks left until school started. Things were definitely looking up, but Allie had to keep the pressure on—had to do her “normal, but not likable” thing.

  The dog whimpered.

  “I’m sorry, Tripod. This won’t take long.” JoJo gently dabbed his stump with antiseptic. “Allie, you’re welcome to live on my stupid hick farm in the middle of stupid nowhere for as long as you like.”

  “I’ve already been here longer than I’d like.” Allie knew she was being hurtful, but this was part of getting home fast. When the social workers started saying that her mom was doing better, when the home visits started getting longer, Allie had to make sure JoJo was so relieved to get rid of them that she wouldn’t put up a fight.

  Allie knew this was the only way. Still, she couldn’t look JoJo in the eyes. And she was glad Jonathan wasn’t there. He’d be making some snotty comment about getting her a broom.

  Allie lifted Tripod’s stump off the blanket so JoJo could wrap it in fresh gauze. “He’s had a rough time, hasn’t he?” JoJo opened a big tub of goo and smeared it all over Tripod’s scrapes and cuts. He looked like a glazed donut.

  “When does he go home?” Allie asked.
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br />   JoJo frowned. “Hopefully never,” she said. “The Humane Society’s still fighting with the owner, but I doubt he’ll ever get this guy back.”

  Cripes, JoJo was a bleeding heart. Foster kids. Foster pets. Get punched or kicked or ignored, and she’ll take you in and smear salve all over you. Or make you wear braces.

  “You might want to check on your brother,” JoJo said, without looking up from her work.

  Allie peaked over her shoulder as Luke skittered by, his pockets bulging. She sprinted after him and caught his arm, then pulled his baggiest pocket open with the other hand.

  Ugh...he’d stuffed his pockets full of leftover mashed potatoes. What a mess.

  “Go.” Allie gently shooed him away. If JoJo saw what he’d done, she’d start going on about how his hoarding proved that he wasn’t getting enough food at home.

  Luke trotted over to the side of the barn, then started pulling gobs of mashed potatoes out of his pockets and stuffing them in his mouth.

  Gravel scattered as a rusty old truck bounced up the driveway. It skidded to a stop, and a big man covered with faded tattoos stepped out. Tripod struggled to his feet, tail wagging.

  “Shoot, that’s his owner,” JoJo whispered.

  “See? Look at Tripod.” Allie pointed at the dog’s tail. “He wants to go home.”

  JoJo stood up tall and squared her shoulders. “You’re supposed to go through the Humane Society if you want to see your pet,” she said to the man. He glared at JoJo as he kicked his truck door shut. Goose bumps popped up on Allie’s arms, and a weird tingly feeling went down the backs of her legs.

  “It’s my dog, and I’ll see it whenever I want,” the man said, coldly.

  “Get off my property, or I’m calling the police.”

  The man took a step toward Tripod. “That dog’s mine. If I can’t have it, nobody can!”

  Tripod cowered. He tried to scuttle backward, but his missing leg messed up his balance and he toppled onto his side. He struggled to get up, his eyes wide with panic as the man lunged at him.

  “Leave him alone!” Allie wrapped her arms around Tripod and tried to help him up, but the dog was so greasy, it was like grabbing wet soap.

  “NO!” JoJo’s voice exploded in Allie’s ears.

  Allie jumped back, dragging Tripod with her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the man’s foot swing back, then drop down to the ground. Her heart was racing as fast as Tripod’s. Which one of us was he going to kick?

  “That dog’s mine, and I’m getting it back,” the man yelled, as he climbed into his truck. He backed down the long driveway, smashing right over Jonathan’s bike without slowing down.

  “Well, now we know how he accidentally ran over Tripod,” JoJo said, grimly. She quickly squeezed Allie’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you,” she said. “Sometimes creatures need our help. You did a good job.”

  Allie spun around frantically, looking for Luke. He was pressed against the barn, his eyes wide, his cheeks bulging with mashed potatoes. He was standing completely still—the way he often did when things got really tense.

  Allie hurried over and wrapped him in her arms. “It’s okay, Luke. Everything’s okay.” Luke didn’t hug back. His whole body was shaking.

  “They’re not going to let that bad man take Tripod, are they?” Luke whispered. “He won’t take good care of our doggie. Oh, Allie, what do we do?”

  Allie hugged Luke some more, being careful to not touch his overloaded pockets. “We don’t need to do anything. JoJo will make sure Tripod is safe. She...protects things.”

  Allie glanced over at JoJo, then quickly looked away. JoJo was staring at her, holding back a smile.

  “Come on. Let’s forget all about this and get ready,” Allie said to Luke. “We’re going home, soon!”

  There was so much to do, the day just flew by. Breakfast. Dishes. Haircuts for the twins. Lunch. Dishes. A big bubble bath. Clean clothes. Scrubbed teeth. The twins looked amazing.

  “Hmmm...” JoJo stared at Allie, as Madeleine and Luke raced off to show Arthur their new outfits. “Would you like a trim? I could give you a nice layered look and add a bit of lift to the sides.”

  Allie hesitated.

  “If you like the cut, it doesn’t mean you have to stay. I just thought you might want to look nice for your mom.”

  “Okay.” Allie plunked herself down in a chair, and JoJo wrapped the plastic cape around her neck. “I can show you how to use a little mascara and eye shadow to bring out your eyes,” JoJo said. “They’re pretty, you know.”

  “Uh, thanks.” Allie could feel her face getting hot. No one had ever said anything nice about her eyes before. They were just plain and brown. Like her hair.

  Clip, clip, clip...

  Madeleine and Luke snuck back into the kitchen and watched, as big hunks of Allie’s hair slid down the plastic cape and onto the floor. About 20 minutes later, JoJo stepped back and smiled.

  “Okay, now jump in the tub and have a quick scrub, then I’ll show you how to dry your hair so it has lots of body.”

  Allie tried to shoo Madeleine and Luke away, but they were too excited to focus on anything—even cartoons. They yakked outside the bathroom door while Allie soaked in the tub. They yakked on the stairs while she got dressed. They yakked at the table while JoJo showed Allie how to use a blow dryer and gel to get her hair to flip back in layers. They yakked while JoJo put mascara and shadow on Allie to make her eyes look big.

  But when JoJo stood back to check out Allie’s new look, the twins stopped yakking. Stopped completely. They just sat there, staring.

  “What? How does it look?” Allie squirmed.

  JoJo smiled and swallowed hard.

  Madeleine was the first to speak. “Oh, Allie, you look as pretty as Jasmine.”

  “Jasmine?” Luke asked.

  “From Aladdin—the princess in Aladdin, silly. Allie looks as pretty as her.”

  “I think she looks as pretty as Snow White,” Luke said.

  “No, Snow White had white skin. Allie’s got a tan.” Madeleine glared at her brother. “You know nothing about princesses.”

  JoJo laughed. “Do you two ever stop bickering? Allie, go look in the mirror.”

  Allie ran into the bathroom and stared. The ratty clumps were gone. Her hair was still thin, but it was smooth and shiny and layered. And her eyes...they looked big and, well, brown, now. A nice brown.

  JoJo stood at the bathroom door. “What do you think?”

  Before Allie could stop herself, she smiled at JoJo. A real smile.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  JoJo smiled back. Then tilted her head.

  “You know, you look absolutely gorgeous. But if you want braces, they’re free as long as you’re a foster kid. If you wait ‘till you’re back full-time with your mom, she’ll have to cover the cost.”

  Allie took a deep, shaky breath. “Thank you, but no. I need to focus on getting home, not on getting straight teeth.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Every mile, every streetlight, every corner...every minute, they got closer and closer to home. Allie touched her hair. Again.

  “Allie, what’s wrong?” Madeleine whispered. “Are you nervous?”

  “No, I’m fine. I’m just excited,” Allie whispered back.

  It was true. Sort of. Allie’s chest was getting tighter, and she kept having to remind herself to breathe. That was good, right? It meant she was excited about going home.

  “I’m nervous, too,” Madeleine said, as she leaned up against Allie’s arm. Luke was already squished against Allie’s other side. Great. Now she couldn’t touch her hair. It felt so nice—so smooth. Allie couldn’t keep her hands off it. Now she’d have to. At least until they got out of Stone’s car.

  Stone glanced in the rear view mirror, but said nothing. She was clearly ticked about taking them home. Probably figured Allie had won, or something. Which, of course, she had.

  “You can take your time picking us up, tomorrow,” All
ie said, just to dig it in.

  “Nice try. It’s a 24-hour visit. I’m dropping you off at 5 o’clock, and I’ll be back by 5 tomorrow.”

  Luke slid his head up Allie’s arm, so he could whisper in her ear. “Do you think Mommy has stopped drinking?” he asked.

  Allie picked at the little flakes of skin around her nails, pulling them off to make sharp sparks of pain shoot up her fingers. It gave her something to think about other than the butterflies in her stomach. It distracted her a bit, so she could answer Luke without her voice sounding wobbly.

  “I’m sure she‘s trying,” Allie whispered. “She’s trying very hard, because she loves us very much.”

  “So we’ll have fun tonight, right?”

  “Right,” Allie said, as she yanked off another flake of skin.

  The car jolted to a stop in front of the apartment building, and Luke and Madeleine both lunged for the backpack.

  “I’ll carry it, it’s heavy,” Allie said. “Walk nicely down the hall, please.”

  Stone climbed out of the driver’s seat as the three kids spilled out of the back. Allie turned to her and stood up straight so she’d look bigger.

  “You can stay here,” Allie said, trying to sound like the boss.

  “Sorry, I can’t. I need to see with my own eyes that she’s sober before I leave you here.”

  “Yeah, but you’ll split up our family without a second thought. What a saint.” Allie glared at Stone, then spun around and followed the twins inside. It was a quick walk to the apartment—they were on the main floor, on the cheap side of the building that faced the noisy street. Allie hustled the twins down the hall, trying to get to their apartment before Stone did. If Mom was drunk, Allie would have to cover for her somehow.

  But Stone had long legs, and even in her wobbly high heels she was fast. By the time Allie got to the apartment door, Stone had caught up to her.

  Allie knocked on the door. No way she’d let Stone see where she hid her emergency key.

  When their mom threw open the door, Allie took a breath. Her first full, deep breath since they climbed into Stone’s car. Their mom’s eyes were clear, she was looking right at them and she was smiling. She was sober!