Free Home From Within by Jennifer McCartney, Lisa Maggiore Page B

would have a story until she got married and had kids of her own.
    “But I’m only fifteen.”
    “Fifteen years of a story. Some of it you don’t remember, but that’s where the people around you come in. They fill you in on the little details of your unconscious life. Your conscious life is easier to translate because you’re a willing participant—well, for the most part.” Jessica noticed Aunt Lodi’s face saddened.
    “I saw a picture of you and Dad on his nightstand. You were on horses in the winter. Trees and snow were all around you.”
    Jessica could see that Aunt Lodi was searching the archives for a spark of recognition.
    “Oh, is it the one where the sky sits so low you could touch it?” Aunt Lodi asked.
    “Yes. I thought the same thing.”
    “Oh sure,” Aunt Lodi said slowly. “We loved those horses.”
    “Where were you?”
    She hesitated for a minute. “In the UP, on a friend’s farm.” Silence fell until Jessica spoke up again.
    “Can you tell me about it?”
    Jessica saw Aunt Lodi wipe away a tear. “You know, honey, me and your dad have stories that intertwine, even braid. But I don’t feel right telling you that one without him being here.”
    “Maybe you can tell it when we get home.”
    “I think your dad has his own plan, this weekend in the office. But when you do meet, honey, go slow with the questions.”
    Jessica mulled over that thought and then asked why.
    “Because your father doesn’t like to talk about the past. But I will tell you this,” Aunt Lodi said, trying to compose herself. “That picture was taken when something we lost was returned to us. And for the first time in a long time, me and your dad felt complete.”
    Jessica let the statement roll in her head, trying to figure out how lost they could have been.
     

     
    The Piper Mall was
the
place to hang out if you were a teenager. Although Jessica had only been to the mall twice, once with Marilee and once with her father, she heard many stories in school about it. One story she had overheard was about a secret stairwell that kids made out in. As she and Aunt Lodi walked through the crowded corridors, Jessica envisioned her and Paul in the secret stairwell. In her fantasy, she was a great kisser because of all her practice on the pillows. Even Paul was impressed.
    All teenagers were supposed to be embarrassed to be with an adult at the mall, but Jessica did not mind. She was ecstatic about getting a wardrobe she didn’t have to sneak out. Shirts that would be accepted into the Turner home were easy to find. Jeans, however, were not. Aunt Lodi had Jessica try on twenty different styles and sizes, but it all amounted to the same flaw: too tight.
    “I don’t think we’re going to get around this,” Aunt Lodi said with a disappointed tone. She stared at the three pairs in her hands. “These were the loosest although that’s a stretch. I’ll buy them but keep the receipt just in case.”
    Jessica took advantage of the shopping opportunity to get some cooler looking underwear. She felt so embarrassed when she changed in the locker room. All the girls had sexy-looking bikini briefs, one even wore a thong. But Jessica had what amounted to granny panties.
    While changing in the locker room, some girls started laughing while looking Jessica’s way. She ignored them like she usually did, assuming they were talking about someone else, but one of them yelled at her, “Hey, did you borrow those from your Grandma?”
    Jessica had no idea what she was talking about. Borrow what? Jessica’s hands started trembling. They were making fun of her.
    “I guess she doesn’t want to answer you,” a girl with a loud squeaky voice said.
    “Hey, you, did you hear me? Nice granny panties.”
    As her heart pounded in her chest, she jumped at the sound of a slamming locker from behind.
    “Are you shitting me? You’re staring at her undies, you creep?” blurted one of the Mohawk girls.
    Jessica swallowed hard and looked over