Firegirl

A janitor adds a new desk to the back of the second row. Mrs. Tracy uncomfortably announces that a new student, Jessica Feeney, was badly burned in a fire. Jessica will attend school with them while she receives burn treatments at the New Haven Hospital. Mrs. Tracy says that while Jessica looks different, she is sure that the class will treat her kindly. Mrs. Tracy and the class wait in pregnant silence for Jessica’s arrival. Tom feels as if a terrible thing is about to happen. He wonders if how bad Jessica’s burns are and how he and the class will react. Jeff mutters that there are other Catholic schools closer to the hospital.

Mrs. Tracy brings Jessica into the room. Jessica’s burns are worse than Tom imagined. The red, pink, and white skin on her face looks “smeared” or “melted.” She is hunched over, her fingers are hooked, and her lips are puffy. Tom wonders how Jessica is alive, and he thinks she must be in mental—if not physical—pain. Jessica says “Hi,” but the class stays silent. Mrs. Tracy moves everyone in the second row back one seat, placing Jessica in the front of the row next to Tom.