At Wheeler Homes Chapter 4

                                   Chapter 4

Jessica just had to figure out a way to get her mother to agree to go to church next Sunday.  But today – today Jessica determined to be the perfect daughter.  She would do everything that she could do to please her mother.  She wouldn’t give her mother any reason not let her go to church.  Jessica was focused and she was on a mission.  She was determined to make it happen.  They were all three going to church this coming Sunday if Jessica had anything to do with it! 

          Jessica said, “James, are you ready to go to the bus stop?”

          James was frustrated and whined, “I can’t get these shoes tied.”

          Jessica said, “Here, let me tie them for you.”  And she knelt down and began to tie the shoelaces on her brother’s red shoes.

          James sat there real still glad to have his sister doing his work.  He hated tying shoes.  He knew he was taking advantage of his older sister, but she like to help him.  And he liked to let her help him.

          Jessica’s mother was pouring her coffee and glanced out of the back window above the sink.  She suddenly exclaimed, “There’s the bus! Hurry up!”

          Jessica and James grabbed what was left of their peanut butter and jelly sandwich and ran for the back door.  Their mother opened the door as they snatched up their book bags.  She smooched an air kiss in their direction as they ran for the bus.    Gloria was standing at the bus door motioning them to hurry up.  She had one foot in the bus door and the other one firmly on the ground.

          “Gloria is a good friend,” Jessica thought.  “She’s holding up the bus for us.”  As Jessica and James neared the bus, Gloria slowly stepped up into the bus.  Her friends had made it.  Gloria sat down on the bus seat and slid over to make room for Jessica.  James sat down beside one of his friends towards the back.  For some reason, the little boys always went to the back of the bus.

          As the bus took off, Jessica said to Gloria, “I think I’ll be able to go to church with you this Sunday.”

          Gloria looked surprised but pleased.  Both girls smiled as the bus pulled away from the bus stop and headed off to school.