Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless by Melody Carlson Page A

skins, and she just cooked them and mashed them with their skins on. She said it was healthier that way. And the roast beef was fall-apart tender and the gravy was actually pretty good too, although I had to pass on the canned peas.
    Dinner at River Woods is always served at five o'clock sharp. That's because the old people go to bed early. The residents are encouraged to eat in the dining room, but some of the ones in really poor health or with special dietary needs are allowed to eat in their rooms. I delivered about a dozen trays and then helped several of the residents eat. That was a challenge, but being cheerful and chatting with them helped a bit. All except for one old woman named Bess managed to eat most of their food. And a nurse named Ellen seemed impressed. That made me feel good. At least it was better than being growled at by Scary Mary.
    So as I walk home in the twilight, since it's after seven now, I feel rather pleased with myself. I found a job within walking distance where I get food. And according to my calculations, I made nearly seventy dollars, less withholdings, today. Fortunately my taxes should be minimal, and if my mom doesn't get her act together, I might consider claiming her as my dependent. I don't even feel mad at my mom now. Oh, I'm irritated about her creepy friend, but hopefully my little fit got to him and maybe he's long gone by now.
    My plan is to apologize to my mom when I get home. Then I'll do my best to talk her into applying at River Woods too. When Ms. Michaels was giving me my work schedule, I inquired if it would be a problem to have two members of the same family working there, and she assured me that if my mom was willing and able, she would be considered for a job.
    Oh, I know that even with both of us working, we won't make nearly as much as she did at her new job. But I figure if she can work full time and if we eat most of our meals at work and really pinch our pennies, we might be able to get by for a while. Besides that, she could let her new car go. I warned her to wait on getting it when we moved here, but she was certain that her old Buick would ruin her image at her new job. Still, without those car payments, plus the saved money on insurance and gas, who knows, we might actually make it.
    I'm about a block from home when I check my cell phone, which I've kept off all day (River Woods rules), and am pleased to see that Jayden left me a message. It doesn't say much, except that he was thinking of me and hoped I was having a good day. I actually laugh to consider how shocked he'd be to hear what I'd actually been doing today. Not that I have any intention of telling him, or any of my other friends, about my part-time job. I can only imagine what a hard time Bristol would give me if she knew I spent most of my Sunday with a bunch of old people.
    As I cut through the Westwood Heights parking lot, I notice that my mom's little red car is missing from its reserved spot. Disappointed that my mom's not around to hear my recovery plan, I unlock the front door and decide not to let it get to me. Instead, I'll just take a nice long shower and hopefully she'll get home in time for us to talk.
    But as I go inside, I get a strange feeling. The lights are turned off, which isn't so unusual. But something just feels different, though I'm not sure what exactly. I turn on the kitchen lights and notice a piece of notebook paper on the island with a strange set of keys on top. I move what appear to be car keys and read the note.
    Adele,
Ben and I decided that we all need a break. So he and I are taking a vacation from this place and from you. I'm sorry you think I'm such a disappointment as a mother. Maybe you'll be happier with me gone for a while. These are the keys to Ben's van - the black Dodge parked in the visitor section. He'd appreciate it if you moved his vehicle every other day or so. That way he won't get ticketed by the management.
Take care.
Mom
    I read and reread my mom's