Chapter 6
Joe waited patiently at the bus stop, proudly holding a white sign with "Welcome Home, Ditey!" written in big red letters, outlined in black. Sam held tightly to her other hand, swinging it back and forth.
"What time is she supposed to get here?" Delia asked, looking up at Joe. Joe had offered to baby-sit Delia and Sam, while Nina was on her evening shift at work, and Andy was in Denver checking on a brain cancer patient of his. Ephram was going to come with her to pick up Ditey, but he had to cram for a chem test. Luckily, Joe had studied for it the day before, so she could be free to get Ditey.
"The bus is supposed to be in at 4:45," Joe confirmed. She checked the clock hanging off the roof. It said 4:40, meaning Ditey would be arriving any minute. Suddenly, a bus roared into the station, and skidded to a stop in front of them. All three drew their attention to the bus doors, and watched as around 15 or so people got off the bus. Most were commuters, who worked in Denver, but finally, the last one to get off, was Ditey. She was wearing a long sleeved, tan peasant top and dark blue jeans. On her feet were black high-healed boots. Her long, light-brown, hair was streaked with purple and put up in a ponytail. Ditey instantly noticed Joe standing with Sam and Delia. Delia immediately rushed over to her and gave her a hug.
"Hey lil D," Ditey greeted, putting her duffle bag and giving Delia hug. Joe was the next to run over and greet Ditey. She embraced her in a tight hug and they both squealed.
"God am I glad that you're here, Ditey!" Joe exclaimed joyously. Sam rushed over to join the hug, in no way did he want to be left out.
"How have you been?" Joe asked, finally breaking the embrace. Ditey was about 5'5, just about Joe's height. She was slender, and looked a lot like Joe, only with darker hair and eyes.
"Good, cept for I had a big fight with mom a few weeks ago. She just does not understand what it's like to be a teen!" Ditey proclaimed, a hint of frustration entangled in her statement. Joe nodded, smiling because she was right, but frowning at the same time because she didn't want to be right, well not about this at least. Sammy tugged at Joe's coat, to show her that he had become board.
"Yeah Sam, I know you want to go home. We will soon," Joe told him.
"So, Joe, where is your car?" Ditey asked, looking around confused.
"I don't have one. I can't drive legally here for another 5 or 6 months," Joe replied, frowning.
"Wow, I'm surprised you let go of your beloved Sandy," Ditey laughed.
"Who's Sandy?" Delia asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Sandy is my red, '92 ford truck," Joe answered,"Boy do I miss her."
"You miss a car?" Delia questioned, her brow raised once again.
"No, Delia, Sandy is more than a car. It is Joe's baby,"Ditey explained as they began to walk to the house.
"I'm still confused, I thought only guys were that attached to cars,"Delia admitted.
"Well, lil D, when you have a car of your own, your very first car, you'll know what I mean. The bond between girl and machine, is a very strong one, one that can never be broken,"Joe finished explaining. Delia gave her a funny look, which caused Ditey and Joe to burst out laughing.
After about 10 minutes of walking, they reached the house.
"Wow, this is nice,"Ditey sighed, as she stepped into the warm, cozy house.
"Yeah, are you hungry or thirsty or anything?"Joe asked, putting down Ditey's other suitcase in the living room,"Your trip must have been pretty long."
"Um, sure, but first can I get my stuff un-packed?" Ditey asked looking around the house. There was a fireplace in the living room, and a big TV. There were French doors leading to the study on the south wall of the living room, which were painted white. Joe nodded and motioned for her to follow. Joe lead Ditey down the hall to a white door that had a Nirvana poster on it, and a dry erase board that said "Studying for Chem test, please knock" on it. The door let out a soft creak as Joe opened it and went in.
"Well, this is our room,"Joe announced, proudly. It had started out as a bare, hotel-like room when Joe had moved in. But Joe had worked hard to make it more homey, and comfortable. It was very spacious, and roomy. There were two beds, both had dark purple comforters with gold sheets and gold pillows. Joe's bed was closer to the door, where Ditey's was near the window. The walls were white, but were littered with posters of bands, and pictures of Joe's favorite snow-boarders. The wall by Ditey's bed was left blank, so she could do what she wanted with it. There was a large walk in closet, that Joe had divided into two sides, and had placed all her things on one side so Ditey could have the other side to herself. The rug was champagne color, and has a small purple spot by the door where Joe had spilled nail polish. Next to the door sat a white oak desk with a black laptop notebook, that had different band stickers and logos on it. A stack of teen magazines and makeup sat next to it. A wide, black framed mirror hung on the wall above the desk, and next to the desk was a dresser, holding different picture frames with photos of Joe and Ditey, and their friends and family.
"The bed by the window is yours, unless you want the one by the door, it's your choice," Joe told Ditey setting her suitcase in the middle of the room. "Well I am going to go make dinner, make yourself at home." Joe gave her a quick hug and left. Ditey set her bag down on the bed by the window and began to take her clothes out and put them into the closet. Once she was done doing that, she took her own pictures out of her other bag, and set them on the nightstand. It was then that she noticed a little card with her name on it. Inside was a note that said "Look under your pillow". She picked up her pillows, and sure enough there was medium sized box wrapped in silver wrapping paper. Carefully, she opened it, to find the new Rob Zombie c.d. (her favorite), a Strawberry Shortcake tee, and a bottle of her favorite nail polish. Under the shirt was another folded slip of paper that said "Hey, Sis, Welcome Home! Hope you like the welcome gifts! Love, Josie". She smiled and put the card and the nail polish in her drawer, hung the shirt in her closet, and slipped the c.d. into a black c.d. player on Joe's nightstand. She turned to "Draqula" her favorite song, and laid down on her bed. She was glad to be someplace she could call home, someplace with no drama, and time for relaxation. She hadn't been in that kind of an environment since the moved away from Jasper when she was 4.
"Hey Ditey, come in here," Joe called her. Ditey quickly got up and went to the kitchen. As she entered Joe handed her a plate with a grilled cheese sandwich,"I wanted to talk to you about your school schedule."
"I have school tomorrow already?" Ditey whined.
"Yes, and don't try to fake a cold or anything, I always can tell when you fake,"Joe replied," Anyways, you are going to be going to West County Middle School. You have to leave around 7: 15am, and since I don't have school until 8, I am going to drop you off around 7:30, so I can get to school in time."
"Ok," Ditey answered, taking a bite out of her sandwich.
"You have math first hour, Spanish second hour, social studies third hour, science 4th hour, lunch 5th hour, study hall for the second half of 5th hour, English 6th hour, and gym 7th hour," Joe continued,"You can take the bus home after school, because you get out a half hour before me, and Nina doesn't get off until 4:30, so you'll have to take the bus this year."
"All right...can you write that all down? I won't be able to remember all those classes," Ditey responded.
"Already done," Joe handed Ditey a typed schedule that had her locker number and combination added to it.
"Thanks, sooo....how is it here?" Ditey wondered, taking the last bite of her sandwich.
"It's fine, a little quiet, but you'll love it,"Joe answered, patting Ditey on the back,"You'll make friends soon, oh and I almost forgot, but my friend Kayla's little sister is going to show you around tomorrow."
"Oh ok, what's her name?" Ditey asked, looking over her schedule quickly.
"Jisela. She is your age, and is in your homeroom," Joe replied, getting up to pull Sam away from the freezer where he was pulling out a box of popsicels. Ditey shook her head and giggled. Boy was she glad to be home.
Authors note: Jisela is pronounced Hisela, since it is Spanish.
Joe waited patiently at the bus stop, proudly holding a white sign with "Welcome Home, Ditey!" written in big red letters, outlined in black. Sam held tightly to her other hand, swinging it back and forth.
"What time is she supposed to get here?" Delia asked, looking up at Joe. Joe had offered to baby-sit Delia and Sam, while Nina was on her evening shift at work, and Andy was in Denver checking on a brain cancer patient of his. Ephram was going to come with her to pick up Ditey, but he had to cram for a chem test. Luckily, Joe had studied for it the day before, so she could be free to get Ditey.
"The bus is supposed to be in at 4:45," Joe confirmed. She checked the clock hanging off the roof. It said 4:40, meaning Ditey would be arriving any minute. Suddenly, a bus roared into the station, and skidded to a stop in front of them. All three drew their attention to the bus doors, and watched as around 15 or so people got off the bus. Most were commuters, who worked in Denver, but finally, the last one to get off, was Ditey. She was wearing a long sleeved, tan peasant top and dark blue jeans. On her feet were black high-healed boots. Her long, light-brown, hair was streaked with purple and put up in a ponytail. Ditey instantly noticed Joe standing with Sam and Delia. Delia immediately rushed over to her and gave her a hug.
"Hey lil D," Ditey greeted, putting her duffle bag and giving Delia hug. Joe was the next to run over and greet Ditey. She embraced her in a tight hug and they both squealed.
"God am I glad that you're here, Ditey!" Joe exclaimed joyously. Sam rushed over to join the hug, in no way did he want to be left out.
"How have you been?" Joe asked, finally breaking the embrace. Ditey was about 5'5, just about Joe's height. She was slender, and looked a lot like Joe, only with darker hair and eyes.
"Good, cept for I had a big fight with mom a few weeks ago. She just does not understand what it's like to be a teen!" Ditey proclaimed, a hint of frustration entangled in her statement. Joe nodded, smiling because she was right, but frowning at the same time because she didn't want to be right, well not about this at least. Sammy tugged at Joe's coat, to show her that he had become board.
"Yeah Sam, I know you want to go home. We will soon," Joe told him.
"So, Joe, where is your car?" Ditey asked, looking around confused.
"I don't have one. I can't drive legally here for another 5 or 6 months," Joe replied, frowning.
"Wow, I'm surprised you let go of your beloved Sandy," Ditey laughed.
"Who's Sandy?" Delia asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Sandy is my red, '92 ford truck," Joe answered,"Boy do I miss her."
"You miss a car?" Delia questioned, her brow raised once again.
"No, Delia, Sandy is more than a car. It is Joe's baby,"Ditey explained as they began to walk to the house.
"I'm still confused, I thought only guys were that attached to cars,"Delia admitted.
"Well, lil D, when you have a car of your own, your very first car, you'll know what I mean. The bond between girl and machine, is a very strong one, one that can never be broken,"Joe finished explaining. Delia gave her a funny look, which caused Ditey and Joe to burst out laughing.
After about 10 minutes of walking, they reached the house.
"Wow, this is nice,"Ditey sighed, as she stepped into the warm, cozy house.
"Yeah, are you hungry or thirsty or anything?"Joe asked, putting down Ditey's other suitcase in the living room,"Your trip must have been pretty long."
"Um, sure, but first can I get my stuff un-packed?" Ditey asked looking around the house. There was a fireplace in the living room, and a big TV. There were French doors leading to the study on the south wall of the living room, which were painted white. Joe nodded and motioned for her to follow. Joe lead Ditey down the hall to a white door that had a Nirvana poster on it, and a dry erase board that said "Studying for Chem test, please knock" on it. The door let out a soft creak as Joe opened it and went in.
"Well, this is our room,"Joe announced, proudly. It had started out as a bare, hotel-like room when Joe had moved in. But Joe had worked hard to make it more homey, and comfortable. It was very spacious, and roomy. There were two beds, both had dark purple comforters with gold sheets and gold pillows. Joe's bed was closer to the door, where Ditey's was near the window. The walls were white, but were littered with posters of bands, and pictures of Joe's favorite snow-boarders. The wall by Ditey's bed was left blank, so she could do what she wanted with it. There was a large walk in closet, that Joe had divided into two sides, and had placed all her things on one side so Ditey could have the other side to herself. The rug was champagne color, and has a small purple spot by the door where Joe had spilled nail polish. Next to the door sat a white oak desk with a black laptop notebook, that had different band stickers and logos on it. A stack of teen magazines and makeup sat next to it. A wide, black framed mirror hung on the wall above the desk, and next to the desk was a dresser, holding different picture frames with photos of Joe and Ditey, and their friends and family.
"The bed by the window is yours, unless you want the one by the door, it's your choice," Joe told Ditey setting her suitcase in the middle of the room. "Well I am going to go make dinner, make yourself at home." Joe gave her a quick hug and left. Ditey set her bag down on the bed by the window and began to take her clothes out and put them into the closet. Once she was done doing that, she took her own pictures out of her other bag, and set them on the nightstand. It was then that she noticed a little card with her name on it. Inside was a note that said "Look under your pillow". She picked up her pillows, and sure enough there was medium sized box wrapped in silver wrapping paper. Carefully, she opened it, to find the new Rob Zombie c.d. (her favorite), a Strawberry Shortcake tee, and a bottle of her favorite nail polish. Under the shirt was another folded slip of paper that said "Hey, Sis, Welcome Home! Hope you like the welcome gifts! Love, Josie". She smiled and put the card and the nail polish in her drawer, hung the shirt in her closet, and slipped the c.d. into a black c.d. player on Joe's nightstand. She turned to "Draqula" her favorite song, and laid down on her bed. She was glad to be someplace she could call home, someplace with no drama, and time for relaxation. She hadn't been in that kind of an environment since the moved away from Jasper when she was 4.
"Hey Ditey, come in here," Joe called her. Ditey quickly got up and went to the kitchen. As she entered Joe handed her a plate with a grilled cheese sandwich,"I wanted to talk to you about your school schedule."
"I have school tomorrow already?" Ditey whined.
"Yes, and don't try to fake a cold or anything, I always can tell when you fake,"Joe replied," Anyways, you are going to be going to West County Middle School. You have to leave around 7: 15am, and since I don't have school until 8, I am going to drop you off around 7:30, so I can get to school in time."
"Ok," Ditey answered, taking a bite out of her sandwich.
"You have math first hour, Spanish second hour, social studies third hour, science 4th hour, lunch 5th hour, study hall for the second half of 5th hour, English 6th hour, and gym 7th hour," Joe continued,"You can take the bus home after school, because you get out a half hour before me, and Nina doesn't get off until 4:30, so you'll have to take the bus this year."
"All right...can you write that all down? I won't be able to remember all those classes," Ditey responded.
"Already done," Joe handed Ditey a typed schedule that had her locker number and combination added to it.
"Thanks, sooo....how is it here?" Ditey wondered, taking the last bite of her sandwich.
"It's fine, a little quiet, but you'll love it,"Joe answered, patting Ditey on the back,"You'll make friends soon, oh and I almost forgot, but my friend Kayla's little sister is going to show you around tomorrow."
"Oh ok, what's her name?" Ditey asked, looking over her schedule quickly.
"Jisela. She is your age, and is in your homeroom," Joe replied, getting up to pull Sam away from the freezer where he was pulling out a box of popsicels. Ditey shook her head and giggled. Boy was she glad to be home.
Authors note: Jisela is pronounced Hisela, since it is Spanish.