Crossroads Read Online Free Page A

so, Mr. Jackson. And thank you for caring.”
    Mitch watched her speculatively as she walked across the reception area and disappeared out the door. Unlike the parents from his previous conference, Tess Lockwood seemed to have taken his comments to heart. He had a feeling that she wouldn’t easily dismiss their encounter.
    And for reasons that had nothing at all to do with her son, Mitch didn’t think he would, either.

Chapter Two
    â€œO kay, let’s talk.”
    At Tess’s no-nonsense tone, Bruce looked up from his desk, his eyes wary. “About what?”
    She moved to the side of his bed and sat down. “Guess.”
    â€œI suppose Mr. Jackson told you a lot of garbage.”
    â€œâ€˜Garbage’ is a good word for the behavior he discussed.”
    â€œI haven’t done anything wrong,” Bruce declared defensively.
    â€œYou know what? I believe you. But from what I heard, you’re heading in the wrong direction.”
    â€œMr. Jackson just wants to get me in trouble.”
    â€œWrong. He wants to keep you from getting in trouble.”
    Bruce looked at her defiantly. “So now you’re on his side.”
    â€œThat’s right. Because he happens to be on your side.”
    â€œThat’s a bunch of—”
    â€œBruce!”
    He clamped his mouth shut and stared at her sullenly.
    â€œThat’s exactly the kind of behavior I’m talking about. Since when did you start using language like that?”
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œCome off it, Bruce. You’ve let enough slip these last few weeks for me to realize that you’ve expanded your vocabulary. And I don’t like it.”
    â€œWords don’t hurt anything.”
    â€œI disagree. They hurt your character. And they can also give you a juvenile record if you scratch them on the walls in the boys’ rest room.”
    Bruce’s face grew red. “I didn’t have anything to do with that.”
    â€œI didn’t say you did. And I don’t believe you vandalized the cars or stole the computer equipment.”
    â€œI wasn’t smoking, either.”
    â€œMaybe not. But when it comes to drugs, the cops bust you first and ask questions later.”
    He looked at her in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œMr. Jackson gave me a few more details about the smoking incident.”
    He still looked confused. “What does that have to do with drugs?”
    Tess stared at him, and slowly the light began to dawn. He honestly didn’t know! Relief coursed through her and the tension coiled deep inside eased ever so slightly. “That wasn’t just a cigarette, Bruce,” she said gently. “It was a joint. Marijuana.”
    His face blanched. “Who told you that?”
    â€œMr. Jackson.”
    â€œI don’t believe it! Besides, how does he know? He didn’t see anything.”
    â€œHe was a cop, remember? He could tell from the smell. You’re lucky he contacted me instead of the police.”
    Bruce frowned. “He didn’t have a case, anyway,” he said slowly, some of his cockiness returning. “There wasn’t any evidence. And the smell would have been gone by the time the police got there.”
    Anger flashed in Tess’s eyes. “Maybe the next time you won’t be so lucky.”
    Bruce glared at her defiantly. “I can take care of myself.”
    â€œReally? So what are you going to do when they pass around the next joint?”
    His gaze skittered away. “I don’t have to smoke. They’ll be my friends even if I don’t.”
    â€œThey’re not your friends now, Bruce. They’re bad news, and they’re going to drag you down with them. Can’t you see that?” she pleaded, a note of desperation creeping into her voice.
    â€œNo! I like them! They’re nice to me! They’re the only ones who are at that dumb school. Do you know what it’s