Free A Home for Jessa by Robin Delph

anyone has left anything on their plate. So Jessa headed across the street toward the diner, but when she got about half way there she got very dizzy and lightheaded.
           Catherine had just came out of the diner when she noticed Jessa standing in the middle of the street. She waited a moment to see if she was coming her way when she noticed Jessa was pale as a ghost and just kept standing there. She called out to her but she didn’t hear her. Then she watched Jessa collapse. Catherine ran over to her.
           “Jessa, Jessa can you hear me? Jessa honey what’s wrong?” she said as she lifted Jessa’s head.
           “Miss Waters what are you doing here?” Jessa asked.
           “I was coming out of the diner and saw you collapse. What’s wrong, are you hurt, are you sick?”
           “I’m fine really. I guess I should have ate this morning.” Jessa told her.
           “Come on I’ll get you something to eat.”
           Jessa wanted to tell her no, but she was so hungry she couldn’t turn down a meal. She got to her feet with the help of Catherine and they went to the diner. Once they got there Catherine ordered her a fried chicken dinner and a soda. Jessa was so hungry that her manners left her and she just started eating as fast as she could.
          Catherine tried not to watch Jessa eat but she couldn’t help it. She acts as if she hasn’t eaten in days Catherine thought.
           “Thank you I feel much better now.” Jessa told her.
            “Jessa how long has it been since you last ate?” Catherine asked.
           Jessa didn’t lie and she wasn’t about to start now. “I have to go.” Jessa said as she jumped up and rushed out the door.
           Catherine just sat there stunned. Why did she take off like that, she thought as she paid for the meal and left. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. Jessa is such a sweet girl and something is going on. Lord please help me to be a help to this child. Help me to know what to do, she silently prayed.
           I have been homeless for two years and no one has seemed to expect anything so why does Miss Waters. Jessa thought as she headed across the street. I’m going to have to be more careful or I’ll end back up in the orphanage.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

                             Chapter Nineteen
     
     
           It had been a month since Jessa’s run in with Catherine and Jessa had managed to stay as far away from her as she could. She sat in the back of the class and run out the door as soon as the bell would ring.
           Catherine noticed that Jessa had been doing all she could to avoid her. But why, she thought. To make this worse Jessa now looked worse than she ever had. Twice she had come to school with bruises on her face and arms, she was so much thinner now than she was and she was so pale with dark circles around her eyes. Something was wrong and if someone didn’t help the poor girl she was afraid she would end up dead.
           “Jessa you look awful.” Summer said.
           “Thanks a lot.” Jessa replied.
           “You know what I mean. Jessa maybe it’s time you told someone about your situation and got some help.”
           “Geese thanks for being such a good friend. What are you afraid to been seen with me now? Oh I know you don’t to be my friend anymore so sending me back to the orphanage would be great for you.” Jessa coughed.
           “What is your problem? I’ll always be your friend, I’m just worried about you Jessa.
    I’m afraid I’m going to lose you.” Summer explained
           Jessa never said a word she just walked away.
          Catherine walked around the corner and say Jessa and Summer talking. After she saw Jessa walk away she decided to go talk to Summer.
            “Hello Miss Waters.” Summer said.
            “Summer may