Look at You Now Read Online Free Page A

you this access but you must show it to the guards. Your parents have been clear about not revealing your last name to anyone; therefore, no matter what happens, do not reveal your last name. You will be Liz P. while you are here. It is not often—actually, never have we had a resident such as yourself—someone who is in hiding from her community and family—so we are working it out as we go along. You obviously will be the only resident to have access, meaning you are not technically on lockdown. Your father has provided money you might need whilehere, although there are not too many places to spend it. There are beautiful grounds, which you cannot see at night, but in the morning you can look for the paths we have through the surrounding grounds outside. There is also a schoolhouse up the hill, which the girls walk to and from daily. They attend school for a few hours in the mornings. The cafeteria is in the basement; the food is not great, but you will find things to eat. There are vending machines at the end of the hall. You also have pay phone privileges. You will be in a single room for as long as we can offer that to you. At the moment we are clear, but we may have to allow a roommate in, as the girls filter in and out all the time. There is a doctor on the premises, with whom you will meet every week for your OB checkups. The hospital where you will deliver your baby is right next door, easily accessible, through a secure hallway under the building.”
    Ms. Graham kept talking. She sounded strict, like a boring high school history teacher, but there was something else about her. I could feel little drops of kindness, maybe even a softness as she spoke. “There are chores required for the residents who live here, and you will not be exempted from them; it felt wrong not to have you participate. They involve sweeping, emptying garbage, cleaning bathrooms, things like that. Your name will be on the white chore board in the lounge area—with a television, couches, et cetera—on the wing where you will stay. It is not much but the girls spend most of their day there. I am the social worker here; you will report to me once a week to let me know how you are doing. There is a woman in charge of your wing with whom you can consult if you have any issues. There is a chapel behind the facility that is open all hours. There is also a discipline system on your wing for girls who don’t fulfill their responsibilities or who partake in any sort of violence or harm to fellow residents. These girls have had challenging lives; they are also emotional and they’re pregnant. Some of them have had altercations, but for the most part they are well-adjusted and grateful to be here wherethere is a warm bed and food to eat. Smoking is allowed in the lounge and cigarettes can be bought in a machine in the basement. When is your baby due?”
    My mother answered, “Her baby has to be delivered before her high school graduation date, which is June first.”
    â€œI see. Well, let us hope that happens for her.”
    The Katharine Hepburn voice was gone. The hardcore, end-of-her-rope Dorothy had emerged. “That has to happen for her,” she said. “It took a lot of cooperation to get her high school to agree to the school credits transferring and to keep all information off the records. The only unbending requirement is that she be physically present for graduation. Liz will be going off to college in the fall, but not without showing up to receive her diploma. Her high school was incredibly accommodating. Liz, you should feel very grateful.”
    I was having trouble breathing. I whispered, “I’m grateful, Mom.”
    â€œWhen the time comes, Mrs. Pryor, we will see if inducing labor for Liz would be something the doctor can recommend.”
    The Katharine Hepburn voice returned. Dorothy was back in control. “I thank you, Ms. Graham, thank you again for everything . This