Molly's Life Part 6 ~ A turning point decision

The school counselor has REALLY been pestering me about filing a report against my mom. Every single day I get called to the third floor. I know they wanna take me away and that could be pretty awesome and I could have more time for school instead of all these damn punishments but not if my mom KILLS me first. And I mean, don't all kids get disciplined? Isn't old school discipline better???

If they take me away from home I don't get to see John anymore. He smiled and raised his eyebrows at me the other day! I think he likes me and just can't get near me to say it. Okay okay maybe not. Maybe he just wanted me to come swim or something.

Mom will kill me if she finds out about this. I really love school what is going to happen if they find out the truth? Will I be put in public school? Can they REALLY protect me? I mean just a few weeks ago they were talking about a kid who was hurt really badly and DHS had a report on them and didn't act on it. Decided the child was in no danger. If THAT kids mom wasn't bad enough how are they gonna say mine is?

Aah well. I hope they don't interrupt any tests or anything...


(2 days later)

I am so so so glad I grabbed my hidden diaries this morning. Mom was cleaning and I didn't want her to find them. now I am sitting on the stairs in a shelter. Boys on one set of stairs, girls on the other. I have no clothes except my school uniform. They said they will find me some sweats to sleep in and I can wash my uniform for tomorrow. It is going to be SUCH a long bus ride to school.

Well wait, dear reader, let me catch you up. Today in school I finally cracked. I told them everything and they called DHS and that person said they had to tell my mom that a complaint had been filed. I could NOT be alone with her after they came to do that!!! I begged and pleaded and they gave me the address of a shelter. Said they cannot take me out of the home but I can "run away". Dana and her mom brought me here. It is a 30 day shelter. So at least they have to do something within 30 days. I hope. It isn't super dirty or anything and seems a lot of the kids are "in transition". Just waiting for spots in group homes. No one seems to be a true runaway. All those kids who seem homeless... where do they go if all the kids that DHS can't place are taking up the beds here?? Are there enough shelters for all of them? It doesn't seem fair when DHS has all these group homes and stuff and they are taking up beds meant for homeless kids and runaways. I mean I know they chose to run away but everyone deserves a bed. I can't imagine sleeping on the street. I would be so embarrassed.

So I have to go to school tomorrow and pretend nothing has changed. Pretend I don't feel dirty. Pretend everything is okay. I really really hope that caseworker knows what she is doing...