Chapter 20
Jodi: Dad held my neck and pushed me against the wall. He was strangling me. I tried to fight back but I couldn't. He laughed and lit a cigar. He pressed it into my arm. The heat surged through my body.
I woke abruptly. It was just a dream. I sat up in bed and turned the lamp on. I had been having bad dreams ever since mom died. It was her funeral tomorrow. John was coming to pick me up at 9 and then the funeral car was leaving Claire's at half past. I was staying with some foster family again. It was only my second night here. I miss my own bed. I miss John. I miss Andy.
John: The funeral was strange. They kept calling her a 'loving wife and mother'. Loving? She either helped dad beat the crap outta us or she just sat there and watched him do it. It's her fault we're in this mess. She should have divorced dad as soon as he started doing this shit. We could have had a good life.
I'm saving up my money for a flat. I haven't told her this yet, but I want to become Jodi's legal guardian. I don't want her to be in foster care for another two years. She's smart, she could actually do well in school. I messed up and I don't want her to as well.
Jodi: After the funeral, we all went for a drive with Andy. We stopped near this field and just sat around, talking. It was nice being with everyone again. It helped to take my mind off things. Andy and Claire hadn't been in school much lately either, so Brian and Allison told us all what was going on. Everyone was talking about us. My mom's death and dad's arrest had been all over the local news. Great. I was dreading going back.
Andy: It was Monday. I drove round to Jodi's foster home and picked her up for school. She was still in pain but she could talk and eat like normal now, and her ribs were healing quite well. When we got to school, the rest of the guys were already waiting for us. Everyone stared at John and Jodi. I didn't like it.
Jodi: Everyone was staring at me. Principal Vernon called John and I into his office. I didn't really listen to what he was saying, something about being understanding. Because of this, I walked into my lesson late. Everyone turned and watched me walk to my seat. I was sat near the jocks, Andy's old friends. They started whispering and laughing before saying comments to me about my dad. They said they didn't blame him for beating John and I. I can't deal with this. I grabbed my bag, stood up and walked out.
I sat under the bleachers and searched through my bag. I found my dope, rolled a joint and smoked it. I did want to quit, but it helps so much with the pain. After about five minutes, principal Vernon walked around the corner.
"Come on Bender. With me." He said. I took one last drag before following him to his office. "Take a seat". I sat down. "Now Bender, I know you're going through a tough time at the moment but you cannot let your school work slide."
"Why not? Who cares?"
"I do. And I know you do really."
I stood up. "No I don't! I couldn't give a shit about anything anymore! It's all bullshit!" I was pacing the room, Vernon stood up.
"Jodi, you need to calm down. Sit back down please."
"No! You can shove your seat up your ass! I'm so done here! I should have left a long time ago!" I walked towards the door but Vernon stopped me. He put his hand on my shoulder. "Get off me Dick."
"This needs to stop! You are smart Jodi! You can do well!"
"Shut up!" My angered reached breaking point. I exploded. I sweeped everything off his desk. Threw a mug at the wall. Smashed photo frames. I punched the wall so hard it dented. Oh shit.
John: I was in class getting Brian to give me the answers to a dumb test when Dick walked in and called me out. He started walking so I followed him.
"Where are we going Dick?" I asked him.
"I caught your sister earlier Bender. She walked out of her class and was smoking dope under the bleachers-"
"Well can you really blame her? No one understands the shit we've been through!" I interrupted him, starting to get annoyed.
"I know that John, that's not all I was going to say. Now, I brought her to my office and she lost her temper. Again."
"And?"
"John, I think Jodi needs counselling. And it would probably be a good idea for you to give it a go as well."
I stopped walking. "Counselling? Are you for real? I'm fine. She's fine. The sooner we get out of here the better." I went to walk away but he stopped me.
"John please. I want to help you, both of you. I've spoken to Jodi's foster parents and social worker and they all agree that counselling may help her. But John, she isn't going to agree to do it on her own. I need you to help."
"Fine. But I'm doing this for her not for you, I'm only doing it so she can prove to you that there's nothing wrong with her."