USE YOUR HEAD

9. Protect your hands by…

a. Dulling the teeth.

b. Dragging the teeth on the backstroke.

c. Using a vise.

d. Installing a handle.

e. Wearing safety gloves.

It was d. The answer was d. After five hours, I was finally done with this godforsaken test. All of these rich kids taking this test like their father owns the company itself, staring at me as if they know I don't belong here.

"Thank you all for coming, you are now dismissed," the teacher explained. Everyone quickly grabbed their bags and rushed out of the room. I took my time. If I didn't pass this test, I didn't know what I was going to do. All Erin and I talked about lately was St. Ignatius and Jay was so happy, even if he didn't say anything. I didn't want to be a disappointment.

"Thank you," I murmured to the teacher on the way out. She smiled, telling me to have a good day as I walked out of the door. I was supposed to use a school phone to call Jay to come pick me up once I was done, but I was too embarrassed to ask. I already felt like I didn't belong, I didn't want to make matters worse by letting the world know I didn't have a cellphone. It was only a half a mile walk, anyways. I had done much worse before.

"There she is!" Trudy greeted me when I walked in. "I was wondering when I would see your shining face in my station," she smiled. After our first few encounters, I quickly became one of the few people Trudy showed her soft side to. If Jay wasn't around and I got tired of the break room, I would come down and talk with her.

"Not soon enough," I smiled back. "Can you buzz me up?" I asked her.

"Of course," she said, waiting until I was at the gate and then hitting the button. I heard the familiar buzz and I opened the gate, walking upstairs.

"Hey, Gracie!" Adam called, announcing my entrance to everyone. I was hoping I could just sneak in, but that was not the case. As soon as Jay looked up from his desk, I knew I was in deep shit.

"Grace, breakroom."

"It's a tough case," Erin whispered to me as I walked by.

"What in the world makes you think it's okay to just walk here by yourself?" Jay started in on me right when I walked in. "No phone, no friends, what happened to calling me? Huh? Were you even using your head, or did it just fall off after the test?"

"I'm sorry," I whispered. I didn't want to fight with him.

"I'm sorry, is that all you can say? You're not with Dad anymore, Grace, you need to follow my rules now, you know this," Jay continued. "What were you thinking?"

I didn't say anything, which I knew was making Jay even angrier. I didn't have anything to say, really. I should have called him and I didn't. This one was on me and I knew it would be. I just wanted the riot act to be finished.

Jay got down on my level and his eyes reached mine. "I love you," he said, pulling me into a hug. "I love you, and I know, I know it's hard for you to get what that means, but I need you to follow my rules. I need you to be safe. There is a whole world of stuff that I am trying to protect you from and I can't do that if you are off wandering the streets of Chicago when I think you're at school."

"I was embarrassed," I admitted. "Everyone else just left after the test because they had rides or phones or plans. I was by myself. I knew they thought I didn't belong there and I didn't want to make it worse by asking to use a school phone."

"I'm going to get you a new phone, Grace, I told you that. I also told you that if you went to St. Ignatius, that kids were going to treat you differently because you're from the south side. I know you've talked to Erin about it, too. It doesn't mean you go off on your own. It's not safe, baby."

"I know, I'm sorry," I apologized for a third time.

"My job, Grace…there's a lot of bad people out there," Jay sighed, sitting in one of the chairs and pinching his nose. "I'm sorry I blew up at you. This case…there's a lot on the line here."

"Is it about a kid?" I asked. He was usually more on edge when it involved kids.

"No, it's about…" Jay started, but shook his head and stopped, thinking harder about what he was about to say. "Look, Grace, I don't want to scare you, but it's about a guy that could cause us big trouble if he knew you were walking around the streets of Chicago by yourself, never mind without a phone."

"I didn't mean to make you worry," I told him, taking his hand. "You're right, I just didn't use my head. I thought it was only a half a mile and I had done worse before and that once you saw I was here you would be fine and-"

"Grace," Jay chuckled, warming up a little. "I get it. I grew up in Canaryville, too. But you're not there anymore, you're here. St. Ignatius is the first part of that. You're a good kid and you are smart. You just gotta learn how to do what you're told, you knucklehead," he teased, pulling me into a headlock and giving me a noogie.

"Jay, cut it out!" I squealed, laughing. Jay laughed too, but released me.

"How did the test go?" He asked.

"I think it went well," I nodded. "I feel good about it. The tutoring from Kim helped," I pointed out. After the bombing incident, Kim and I became a lot closer. Zoey insisted on helping with Imogene's services, which meant Kim also pitched in and I felt obligated to as well. It was a tragedy that such a young and beautiful girl didn't make it.

"Good. Did you figure out who you want to ask to write your letters yet?" Jay asked.

"Mr. Johnson and Zak already said they would, but I was thinking of also asking Erin, since she's an alumn. Do you think she'd say yes? I know she doesn't know me that well, but like-"

"I think she'll be thrilled," Jay chuckled.

"Awesome," I smiled, right before loud pops came from nearby. My panicked eyes caught Jay's and he already had his hand on his holster, ready for action.

"Stay here, do not move!" He ordered me.

"Jay," I protested, but he interrupted.

"Stay!" He yelled and was out the door.