Keesha's House Read Online Free

in between
    collapses. I’ve worked really hard
    to get this all set up—it’s hard
    to think of doing it all again. Next summer, this schedule
    will be fine, but my boss won’t let up between
    now and then. I asked him for ten extra minutes to give me time
    to get from school to work, but he says that’s not in the cards.
    If I can’t do just
    what I’m supposed to do, just
    when it should be done, too bad. I know it’s hard
    for you, he says, but I’ve got a business here. Cards
    of sympathy are next door at Hallmark. My schedule
    is impossible. Barely time to sleep, no time
    for homework except at the bus stop between
    school and work. Report cards come out in two weeks’ time
    and I have to work hard just to pass. My schedule
    will be: school and work, work and school. No time in between.

I KNOW THE VALUE      JOE
    I know the value of a house like this.
    Old and solid, hardwood stairs and floor.
    But when I showed up at Aunt Annie’s door
    when I was twelve—bruised, scared, clenched fists—
    all I knew then was: I could stay.
    As long as you need to, Joe , was what she kept
    on saying, right up till she died and left
    the house to me. So now that’s what I say
    when kids show up and I know they can’t ask
    for what they shouldn’t have to ask for. They need
    more than I can give them. I know I’m
    no Aunt Annie. I ain’t up to the task
    of tryin’ to be their legal foster dad.
    But I can give them space—and space is time.

ON HER OWN      LAURA (STEPHIE’S MOTHER)
    It’s time to talk to Steph about the boy
    who could have been her brother—maybe is
    her brother. How can I describe the joy
    of holding him, the morning—cold—when his
    new parents—married, educated—reached
    to take him from me? I don’t know his name
    or where (or if) he lives. My parents preached
    at me. I listened. I won’t do the same
    to Steph. She has to do this on her own.
    I know wherever Stephie is tonight
    she’s thinking hard about the baby, us,
    herself, and Jason. She’s out there alone
    and I can’t help. Sixteen. I know. She might
    not know how much she’s loved, or who to trust.

YOU DREAM ABOUT A KID LIKE THIS      COACH HARDEN
    Jason hasn’t told me much himself
    but there’s a rumor going around the team
    about his girlfriend. When I heard it, I felt
    sick. You coach for twenty years, you dream
    about a kid like this, an athlete born
    for greatness. Varsity his freshman year,
    state all-star two years in a row. More
    natural talent than I’ve ever seen here
    at Marshall High. And he knows how to work
    for what he wants. He could go anywhere—
    free ride, recruiters calling every day.
    Now what? He’s not one to shirk
    responsibility. He seems to care
    about this girl. But you should see him play.

IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR HIM      MRS. MASON (DONTAY’S CASEWORKER)
    I thought I’d finally found a good, safe place
    for Dontay, far from his old friends and school,
    with such a nice family, of his own race.
    This summer they were going to join the pool
    so he could learn to swim. I hope he meets
    new friends , I said. It would be good for him
    to know some different kids. But Dontay treats
    this like a punishment. I hate to swim ,
    he says, I hate that part of town. He can’t
    seem to adapt himself. It’s sad. Now
    he’s run off, and he’ll be hard to find. Three days
    since he left. I’m not sure they want
    to take him back. He’s good at heart. But how
    can I help Dontay if he won’t change his ways?

LORD, GIVE ME STRENGTH      ROBERTA (CARMEN’S GRANDMOTHER)
    I got to get my own self in control
    before I try to talk to Carmen. Right now
    I’m so mad at everyone, the whole
    world look ugly to my mind. I don’t know how
    LaRayne could leave her girl like that.
    It