Midnight Kisses by Wayne Jordan Page B

room in her heart to love another child. If there was anyone who could show Jamie love, it’d be Gloria.
    Renée left her office, informing Gillian where she was going. She heard Jamie before she reached her room. The teenager was screaming at the top of her lungs. She hurried down the corridor. Damage control was necessary.
    When she entered the room, she was sure that her shock registered. Food lay scattered on the floor along with a puddle of whatever beverage the girl had been given. However, the rest of Jamie’s midday meal dripped slowly down the front of Cheryl’s white blouse.
    The look on Cheryl’s face was incredulous, but Renée knew better than to laugh. She felt proud of Cheryl, since it had taken her a long time to control her anger. Her current calm was clear evidence of her ability to remain calm, despite the anger Renée knew bubbled beneath the surface.
    â€œJamie.” Renée called her name.
    The teenager turned and Renée’s heart almost broke. She could see the tears of anger in Jamie’s eyes.
    â€œCheryl, I’ll take over from here. Give us some time.”
    â€œOkay, we’ll talk later. I’ll send someone in later to clean up the room up.”
    When Cheryl was gone, Renée moved closer. Jamie had stopped crying, her head was on the pillow and she was staring at Renée, stiff with defiance.
    â€œSo what’s the problem, Jamie?”
    â€œNuttin’.”
    â€œI’m sure if the problem was nothing, you’d have just eaten your lunch without incident.”
    â€œI have nothing to say.”
    â€œJamie, do you trust me?”
    â€œNo, I don’t trust anyone,” she said between sniffles.
    â€œSo why did you ask for me?”
    â€œâ€™Cause you’re the only one in this smelly place who ain’t a fraud.”
    â€œThat’s good to know. But if I’m not a fraud, why don’t you trust me?”
    â€œYou tryin’ to confuse me or something?” Jamie asked.
    â€œNo, just asking a simple question,” Renée responded.
    â€œOkay, I think I trust you, but you better not be playing with me.”
    Renée moved closer to the bed. She reached out and held Jamie’s hands.
    â€œYou can trust me, Jamie. I just want the best for you. I promise I won’t do anything without your knowing. And that’s one of the reasons I’m here. I’ve found a home for you.”
    â€œI ain’t going anywhere I’m not wanted.”
    â€œI promise you, you have nothing to worry about. The lady who you’re going to stay with is Gloria. She was Cheryl’s foster mother. You’ll like her. There will be a few other girls there. If you don’t like it there, I’ll make sure I find somewhere else where you can go.”
    â€œYou don’t have to put yourself through so much trouble. Just let me go where I was. I can take care of myself.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll make you a promise. If you don’t like being with Gloria, I’ll let you do whatever you want to.”
    It seemed like minutes passed before Jamie spoke. “I’ll go,” she said reluctantly. “But I’m going to hold you to your promise.”
    â€œGood. I’ll take you over there when you’ve been discharged. The doctor should be here soon. I have to go up to my office for a little bit. I’ll come down as soon as Dr. Archer arrives. You can get dressed after he leaves.”
    Renée reached out to touch Jamie’s hand. They were trembling. Renée looked at her and realized something. She was still a little girl. Under all that boldness and bravado, she was just a little girl looking for love. Renée felt the urge to hug her, but she decided against it. Gloria’s home would be the ideal place. Jamie would get all the hugs she wanted.
    â€œI’ll be back,” she said softly. Jamie smiled in return, and resting her head back against the pillows,