- “AGAIN? Aren’t you going to school again? It’s just a week before Christmas vacation starts!" Said Jose.
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“I know what date it is, I just feel really tired today. Just leave before you’re late.”
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“I can’t believe you. I should stay here too and play video games all day then.” Reasoned Jose.
“I can’t believe you. I should stay here too and play video games all day then.” Reasoned Jose.
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Jessica rose from the bed with barely contained fury etched on her face, to physically shove Jose out the front door, throwing his back pack after him down the hallway. .
- “If you EVER say that to me again Jose, I’m going to wipe the floor with you, do you understand me? I’m the one working a shitty job to make sure we eat, and have this apartment. ONLY ME! So get your ass out to school NOW!” Jessica yelled.
.Jose was incredulous by the furious reaction of his older sister. He grabbed is back pack, and ran down the stairs. Just then, John her neighbor, opened his door.
- “Good morning Jessica, I know it’s not my place, but I could not help but overhear the discussion you had with Jose. Would you like to have some coffee and talk this morning?”
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Jessica was shocked at her behavior and felt chagrined to have John witnessed this.
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- “I’m sorry if I woke you up John, I…sure…let me get cleaned up, I will be there in five minutes.” She said.
Jessica surveyed John’s apartment while he brewed fresh coffee and made toast. She ventured to the walls where framed pictures of a young John in Navy uniform hung, also of him and his late wife, as a young couple.
- “I’m sorry if I woke you up John, I…sure…let me get cleaned up, I will be there in five minutes.” She said.
Jessica surveyed John’s apartment while he brewed fresh coffee and made toast. She ventured to the walls where framed pictures of a young John in Navy uniform hung, also of him and his late wife, as a young couple.
There were two old-looking American flags protected by glass hanging on the walls too. One had a strange circular design; she counted 38 stars only. On the other flag, the alignment of the stars was horizontal, she counted on this one only 48 stars. She was engrossed with the design of a medal, when John called her to sit at the table for breakfast.
- “That’s a U.S Navy Medal of Honor; I received that after coming home from World War II. It's given to those in service who displayed extraordinary heroism. Now Jessica, will you please tell me what is happening that you are missing so much school?”
- “That’s a U.S Navy Medal of Honor; I received that after coming home from World War II. It's given to those in service who displayed extraordinary heroism. Now Jessica, will you please tell me what is happening that you are missing so much school?”
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- “I am working five days a week, just after school. I come home so physically tired; I fall asleep and don’t have time to study. I don’t need to lie to you John. Please don’t say anything to anyone, but my dad had to leave unexpectedly. I work to feed ourselves. I don’t want to ask for aid, as it would mean social services involved.”
- “I am working five days a week, just after school. I come home so physically tired; I fall asleep and don’t have time to study. I don’t need to lie to you John. Please don’t say anything to anyone, but my dad had to leave unexpectedly. I work to feed ourselves. I don’t want to ask for aid, as it would mean social services involved.”
John looked at Jessica intently, his intelligent blue eyes slightly clouded by cataracts.
- “I grew up in the great depression era Jessica. Times were very hard, for many years. It was on a global scale. People went hungry, too many unemployed and barely getting by. Many depended on government for food. What I am trying to say is, there is no shame in asking for help. But you must be focused, and stay in school. Now let’s eat, and then tell me what happened to your father.”
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That afternoon, Jessica went to the library to study, and also use the internet. She mulled over what John had advised, and agreed that he was right. She had to stay in school if she wanted to pursue her dream. Then, an idea started to emerge.
She needed to get her dad back home to be able to stay in school. She would not graduate otherwise. She could not study, or even send applications to colleges with all this overload of responsibility and lack of time, sleep, energy, and money.
One thousand dollars would cover his trip back. He had not made it back since last time he tried, he failed, and incurred debt with his relatives.
She needed to get her dad back home to be able to stay in school. She would not graduate otherwise. She could not study, or even send applications to colleges with all this overload of responsibility and lack of time, sleep, energy, and money.
One thousand dollars would cover his trip back. He had not made it back since last time he tried, he failed, and incurred debt with his relatives.
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The way it is, she reasoned, the concept of virginity is just a bunch of BS to keep women subservient.
The way it is, she reasoned, the concept of virginity is just a bunch of BS to keep women subservient.
She was in control of her body; she was no ignorant peasant. She just needed to be careful to take the necessary measures to avoid pregnancy.
Jessica mused that almost every woman, has had to make crucial decisions regarding her own body. Some with life long regrets, pain, risks, and sacrifices. The condition of her body, did not represent who she is as a whole, complex person. She was a woman now; she would make the best decision for her at this time, and take control of her destiny.
- “O.K Jess, I showed the guy your year book picture, and he agreed. New Year’s Eve there’s going to be a bash. I’ll pick you up and we can go together. Just one thing Jess, if you are lying and you’re not a virgin…don’t expect the 1K. This guy you don’t want to get angry…he might give you $200, and more than you bargained for.” Becky said, followed by raucous laughter.
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- “I don’t need to lie. What’s so funny anyway?” Jessica asked.
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- “There’s always glee when angels fall.”
To be continued.
