Homecoming Day Read Online Free PDF Page B

clutched the manila folder she’d put JT’s homework sheets in, pulled her coat tight against her chest and waddled to the door with Seth at her side. He let her take the lead. She appreciated that.
    She knocked and they waited. When no oneanswered, she rang the doorbell and called out, “JT, it’s Ms. Watson, and I’m not going anywhere until you open the door. And it’s very cold out here. I’m so huge that my coat doesn’t want to button, so the baby bump sort of sticks out. I bet the baby’s as cold as I am.”
    Yeah, using the baby was low, but if it got results, she wasn’t above it.
    Seconds later the door opened and JT stood there scrubbed bare of any makeup and wearing a pair of holey jeans and a pink, oversize sweatshirt that made her look so much younger than she did in school.
    â€œMs. Watson?”
    Laura held out the envelope. “I brought your homework. Can we come in for a moment?”
    JT jerked her finger in Seth’s direction. “What’s he doing here?”
    â€œLieutenant Keller stopped by and offered to bring me. He seems to think my absurd size makes it hard for me to reach the steering wheel and, therefore, I shouldn’t drive any more than I have to.”
    â€œYou are kinda big.” JT’s grin said she was teasing. “I mean, you’re right, if you did up your coat, a button would probably pop off and become a lethal weapon.”
    Seth glommed on to JT’s mood and said, “Now, when my sister-in-law Eli was pregnant, I thought she was big, but then I met Laura here. She gives the phrase big-as-a-house a whole new meaning.”
    â€œHey, you two.” Laura waved her hand and tried to look outraged. “I’m standing right here in my tight, unbuttoned coat.”
    JT grinned. “Yeah, big as a McMansion for sure.”
    Seth laughed. “I was thinking castle, but your definition works, too.”
    Laura waved both hands. “Hey, still here.”
    â€œOh, we know, Ms. Watson. There’s no way anyone could miss that.” JT snorted with glee.
    â€œGee, try to do something nice for someone and this is what happens,” Laura groused, which made both Seth and JT laugh.
    â€œYeah, you guys can come in.” JT stepped aside. “I mean, Mom has a rule about no one in the house when she’s not home, but I’m guessing that doesn’t apply to cops and teachers.”
    Once inside, Laura’s first impression was, wow. The house was beautifully furnished. Not quite the McMansion that JT had mentioned, but a well decorated home in a lovely neighborhood.
    Laura wasn’t sure what she expected, but her dislike for Mrs. Thomas might have colored her opinion of the type of house the woman would own.
    JT led them into an immaculate living room. Curtains coordinated perfectly with the fabric on the furniture. Books were arranged artistically rather than functionally. Fresh flowers rested in an elegant vase on the coffee table.
    JT seemed unsure of what to do next. “You wanna sit down, Ms. Watson? You look beat.”
    â€œI am beat. Thanks.”
    She sat on the couch, and Seth sat next to her. Now that JT was more at ease, Laura decided to broach her concerns. “JT, I stopped in because I was worried about you.”
    Guilt was written on the teen’s face. “I’m fine. I felt a bit funky this morning, but I feel better now.”
    â€œSo, you will be in school tomorrow?” Laura asked. “You’re sure?”
    Gone was the guilt and in its place was defiance. “Yeah. I wouldn’t want to miss my detention.”
    â€œThat’s not why I was worried, and I think you know it,” Laura said softly.
    JT sighed, sounding much older than she looked. “Yeah, I do. None of my other teachers minded I was absent, I bet. Especially not Mrs. Lutz. She’s the reason I’m serving detention.”
    Laura cocked her head to one side and