"So,” Mr. Gregory says, grabbing a nearby chair. He places it in front of him with the back facing forward and sits down, his arms folded and resting on the back of the chair. “Morgan says you haven’t seen your mom in a few days?”
It’s actually been more like a few weeks, but I don't correct him. It's after school and we are having a 'talk'. He continues, “and your Mom’s been evicted from your apartment? Where have you been staying at night?”
“At a coffee shop,” I say.
“And no one’s kicked you out or called the police?”
“No. It’s a 24 hour coffee shop.”
“Alanna listen,” Mr. Gregory leans forward, forcing me to look at him. “You’ve been very lucky…” He stops, his eyes searching mine. “Have you been offered a place to stay… in exchange for some kind of… street work?”
“No!” I say, knowing what he’s getting at. “I haven’t talked to any... street people.”
”Are you using any drugs?”
“No!” I look away. “Why does everyone think I’m on drugs?”
“I don’t think you’re on drugs.” Mr. Gregory sighs. “I just think you’ve been very lucky so far, and that wandering the streets at night, especially for someone your age, can be very dangerous.”
“I know,” I mumble, remembering the man on the bus.
“Has your mom left like this before? Do you have any idea where she might be? Doesn’t she have a cell phone?”
I shrug. “She’s left for the weekend before to do jobs in the city. But she usually comes back. I think her cell phone is cancelled or she changed her number because I can't get a hold of her.” And I don’t care, I think to myself.
“What kind of jobs in the city?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’s Thursday today. Has she been gone since the weekend?”
“No, just since…Monday,” I lie.
“So it’s been four days?”
“Please don’t call the social services people or the police,” I say quietly, feeling sick in my stomach.
“You can’t live on the streets Alanna.”
“But-”
Mr. Gregory puts up a hand to stop me from interrupting him. “I'd offer for you to stay with me but I don't really think that's the best idea, all things considered.” He looks at me. "I made a few calls earlier and we have someone coming to pick you up in a few minutes..."
"No!" My heart pounds in my chest.
YOU ARE READING
Boy Charming
Teen FictionAlanna is an introvert who loves to daydream. Her best friend, and online crush, is a boy that she's never met... but he may be closer than she realizes...
