Kelly: Full Circle

By Tatiana Strelkoff

Kelly: Full Circle, the third and final book in the Changer Trilogy, combines all the elements inherent in promoting animal rights—from the clear view that animals are sentient beings, to all the ways in which they can contribute to our betterment when we work together. And it does so without compromising the elements that make for a riveting adolescent love story: a dangerous mission that could tear a couple apart, and the incredible adventure they embark upon. Kelly: Full Circle aims not only to entertain with a love story for the ages, but to inspire a new generation of youth to work for the protection of animal rights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9780945522096

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CHAPTER ONE

FRIENDSHIP

I know you're anxious to be done with this, to just pretend I never gave it to you, but I've been trying to tell my story in a way that is both factual and engaging. You have to hear it from the beginning. It's long, and I'm afraid of losing your interest before I've had a chance to get to what's really important, but just remember that this is for you specifically, to inform the choices you make and show you where you come from. Trust me and keep reading.

You know how things in films occur so quickly? People commit crimes, go to jail and get out again, choosing a straight or dishonest path depending on the story line? And all within a few hours?

Events take much longer in real life. In my case it was a lot more complicated. The day I was released from Juvenile Hall a social worker named Jennifer from the welfare department at City Hall came to speak to me. She said I was temporarily a ward of the state because Dad was in jail and I had no other next of kin. The paperwork was being done to get me in a foster home until Dad was released. I barely heard her.

During the walk through the building and out into the parking lot I was thinking about Daniel. I had to see him. But when Jennifer stopped and opened the car door I suddenly realized what she said meant. A foster family! Strangers, and I recoiled. I had been through too much to now take this kind of thing sitting down.

I don't want to live with a foster family! I'm almost seventeen. I can live on my own, I said, trying to keep my voice calm and sounding grown up. The last thing I wanted to do was get her annoyed at me.

Not until you're eighteen. That's the law. Jennifer gave me a little nudge but I resisted.

What if I find a family? What if I get friends to take me in? Close friends at least? I had put my hands on the roof of the car to keep myself from being shoved in.

She let go of me and stepped back. When I turned toward her she looked me over. There wasn't anything rude or cold about the way she checked me out. She just seemed curious. Even though she looked pretty young there was a maternal kind of expression on her face. I must have inspired a parental instinct in Jennifer because for some reason she smiled. Who do you have in mind?

My mind raced. I knew who I had in mind, but I wasn't sure if I should say it. First, I felt I ought to ask before volunteering somebody without their consent and, second, I was convinced I hadn't seen the last of Gordie, especially because he had been forced to let me go. I'd be watched, followed probably. Even so, Daniel was the only person I could turn to, the only person that made me feel safe.

The Chester family. My friend, Daniel, and his mother. Except I'd have to ask them first. Myself.

She seemed to be considering this small condition, chewing on her bottom lip as if trying to decide something important. Finally, she nodded. I'll take you but you have to ask now. What I'm expected to do is take you to St. Anne's Half Way Home for teens until a family is found. Since it always takes a few weeks, at the very least, if we can get something organized now I don't think anybody at the welfare department will interfere. Mind you, as long as Mrs. Chester comes in to sign the papers.

I nodded in relief. It was fair. All the way to Daniel's house I prayed he and his mom would be home. I hoped she'd say yes. It was going to be the most humiliating thing I had ever done. I'd never had to do anything so awkward but I was ready to do this if only they allowed me to stay.

My heart leaped when I saw Daniel's pick-up truck parked out front of their house. At least he was home. The social worker and I crossed the scrabbly looking lawn and I knocked on the screen door. I had been rehearsing what I would say, how I would greet them, then Daniel opened the door and I couldn't seem to move or speak.

I opened my mouth but no sound came out. I didn't mean to but tears came to my eyes. Daniel took two, short strides and wrapped me in a hug. He held me close, patting me on the back as if he were my father or older brother. I just cried into his shoulder.

You must be Daniel Chester, I heard Jennifer say. I'm Jennifer Bradley, a social worker from the welfare department. I was assigned to take Kelly into a foster home, however… her voice trailed off and I knew that was my cue. Releasing Daniel, I dried my face on my sleeve. Daniel, I started, my voice all shaky and weak, I have to ask your mom something really important. Is she home?

At that moment Mrs. Chester appeared at the door. She was still pulling her hair back into a ponytail as she came over and hugged me with one arm. Kelly! I'm so glad you came. Daniel and I have been so worried about you. He's been doing everything he can think of to get you out of that dreadful place!

I knew there was no time like the present.

Mrs. Chester, I have to ask you something so important.

Please, she interrupted me suddenly. Do come in. Crazy all of us standing here at the door. She put her arm around my shoulder and walked me into the living room as Daniel closed the door behind us. Would you please have a seat, Ms…․?

Bradley. Jennifer Bradley from the welfare department. Kelly was released from juvenile hall today and I'm in charge of her case.

Would you like some coffee? Ice tea? Lemonade?

I started to say that none of us wanted anything; I just needed to talk to her, but Daniel suddenly moved next to me on the couch, holding my arm and gently shaking his head. He meant I should keep quiet. So, I did.

Ms. Bradley spoke up just then and said some ice tea would be wonderful on a hot day such as this one. At that point Daniel's mom looked over at me and I just nodded in agreement.

I couldn't believe I had to prolong my agony, yet there was nothing I could do. Nobody said a word while we waited for the tea. By the time Mrs. Chester started serving I was actually glad. My throat felt so dry it might have rendered me speechless. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to go through with my request unless I first had something cold and sweet to loosen things up a bit.

Mrs. Chester gave each of us a tall glass of ice-cold tea and then sat down on a chair Daniel brought in from the kitchen, directly across from where I was seated.

Are you okay, Kelly? she said, gently smiling as she took my hand. She didn't look long into my face, barely glancing into my eyes, and I couldn't read the look she gave me. She kept my hand clasped tight in hers so I just took a deep breath and went for it.

Mrs. Chester, the social worker says I have to stay with a foster family because I'm not eighteen and Dad is still in jail. That's the law. I don't want to live with strangers or stay at St. Anne's Half Way Home and I was thinking, kind of hoping, that maybe, I could ask you if…

Daniel's mom had let go of my hand and stood so suddenly, I stopped talking. I could feel sobs welling up as she turned away from me. I sucked in a huge gulp of air, trying to stop the tears when she said: Ms. Bradley, you said your name was, didn't you? Would it be possible for me to take Kelly in? I'm a registered nurse and although I'm a widow I'm certain Daniel and I could act as Kelly's family until her father is able to.

I gulped in even more air, taking so many deep, quick breaths I started to hyperventilate. Daniel must have noticed because he took the glass from my hand and urged me to sit back against the couch. I leaned my head back, shut my eyes and quietly let my tears flow. Then I heard Ms. Bradley say that that would be fine. I didn't hear much of anything else. My head felt so heavy I just let it lay back on the couch with my eyes shut.

I almost felt like I was floating out of my body. Mrs. Chester and Ms. Bradley discussed the details regarding when Mrs. Chester should come to sign papers taking responsibility for my upkeep and welfare. Daniel was off somewhere on the telephone, calling people from the Save our Species Group to tell them I was finally free and safe.

I must have either gone unconscious or dozed off because the next thing I knew something wet was poking my nose. When I opened my eyes, I was staring into a dog face. I jumped as much as I could, considering he was already on top of me. I turned my cheek to his sloppy kisses and started pushing against his chest to try to get him off me. His tail was wagging so hard it was causing a rhythmic drumming against the chair leg in front of the couch.

By the time I had managed to slide out from under him my clothes and the couch were covered in dog hair. It was almost night, the sky a deep, dark blue outside the living room window. The only light was behind me, coming from the kitchen, and as I stood up, trying to get my bearings, Daniel came out, holding a soup bowl.

Mom told me not to wake you so I let Dooley do it. Figured you'd be hungry. He handed me the bowl and a spoon, then took the dog and pulled him closer to him as he sat back in the armchair.

It was just a bowl of baked beans but it was hot and I was starving. Nothing, but nothing, had tasted that good in the last five weeks.

Dooley you said? I asked between spoonsful. Yeah. Dooley Too. Not two like the number, too like also. In memory of Dooley. Remember, I told you about him in the truck?

I nodded and ate some more baked beans. You told me about a stray dog that saved your life by knocking you down so you wouldn't get hit by a car.

That's him. Now I owe two dogs my life. Isn't that crazy? He laughed and hugged Dooley, who was more than happy to return the affection, licking Daniel's face from bottom to top with his long, pink tongue. Kelly. Jeremy's okay.

I stopped mid-chew, then put the bowl down. Thank God I was young then and my heart could take it. Jeremy? It was a whisper.

"He's in Utah. The Finest Friends Animal Sanctuary. Just incredibly lucky, he said, to have made it there. You know Gordie's got us under surveillance, the Group I mean, and me. And I couldn't talk to Jeremy personally. A guy named Mountain sent me a message over the Internet telling me my friend is fine and will be in touch as soon