The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Jenna Fox Chronicles 1)

‘Three,’ I say.

He raises his eyebrows.

‘You’re far more versed in Walden than you let on,’ I say.

And not a dickhead at all, I think to myself.

Pieces

Isn’t that what all of life is anyway?

Shards. Bits. Moments.

Am I less because I have fewer, or do the few I have mean more?

Am I just as full as anyone else? Enough?

Pieces.

Allys saying ‘I like you’.

Gabriel snorting out bread, freeing me to laugh.

And Ethan reminding me how much I do know.

Pieces.

I hold them like they are life itself.

They nearly are.

Fine Tuning

‘Don’t forget, I’m coming home with Ethan,’ I call out to the kitchen. ‘So don’t pick me up.’

I walk down the hallway, turn around, and walk back again, watching myself in the full-length mirror. I lift my feet carefully, but it seems overdone. Maybe it’s my arms? Do they swing properly? I go back to the end of the hallway and try again.

Claire calls back, not to me but to Lily, loud so I can hear, ‘Did you hear that, Mom? Jenna’s coming home with Ethan. Sounds almost like a date.’

I smile. The last few days, Mother has been so cheerful, almost giddy that school has gone well. Perhaps she sees my life—and hers—coming back to us.

I stare at the mirror. I think it’s my knees. I walk slowly, willing them into smooth movements. Better. I go to the kitchen. ‘It’s not a date, Mother. I’m just working at the Mission with Ethan until I find my own community project.’

Mother tilts her head and rolls her eyes. ‘Oh. Sure. A community project. I’ve seen Ethan the last two days when I picked you up. He’s—’

‘Claire!’ Lily yells. ‘What’s gotten into you? Do you really think it’s wise to encourage this? Dating? Think it through!’

I glare at Lily. Mother and I are finally having something that resembles a conversation and she has to put a stop to it. Why does she have to be so annoying? So small-minded? So—

‘Don’t be such a dickhead, Lily!’ I tell her.

Mother’s jaw drops and she seems to forget what she was going to say.

Lily is silent for a moment and then bends over the counter.

Laughing? Is she laughing?

I’m afraid I will never understand either one of them.