Chapter 1

Where it all started

It was the start of Jane's first school year in Boston Primary, in fact it was her very first school day. For a second Angela and Jane had their own thoughts on this important day.

Angela thought to herself "not a trace of fear she is such a brave little girl".

For Jane so many ideas on what school would be like and who her best friend would be. Till today her friends were Frankie and Tommy.

They did go to parties of some of the kids in the neighborhood but the three Rizzoli kids spend every day together.

For Jane a best friend was very important someone you would share your little secrets with and your favorite samies peanut butter and fluff.

"Come to think of it I'm a bit hungry now thought Jane." It didn't take much for her to open her school suitcase and take her lunch box out. Plonk she goes to sit on the floor,

" noooo Jane you can't just eat your lunch now. Remember what we discussed at home when all the other kids take out there lunch boxes then it's time to eat."

"But Ma I'm hungry now"

"Jane you had a big bowl of cornflakes just an hour ago"

"But I'm" Jane knew she had to stop nagging when Angela made her big blue eyes even bigger.

Angela Rizzoli looked at her little 6 year old, it felt like yesterday that she hold this little bundle of joy in her arms, brown eyes and a streak of black hair, pitch black hair and the most beautiful dimples. She so much look like her dad but then so does Frankie and Tommy but Tommy has her eyes blue.

"Ma, ma we need to move didn't you hear they called us".

"Yes Jane lets go meet your teacher, Miss Goncalves".

Jane picked up her suitcase and followed her mom….. so many kids standing with their ma's. She looked at all the kids some had tears in their eyes others cried, but she Jane Rizzoli won't do any of that, ok maybe a bit scared but cry no she won't do that. She quickly wiped away a tear that was starting to fall from her eyes.

All of a sudden the only thing she could think about was Frankie and Tommy, sleeping late and eat whenever they wanted to.

When Angela took her hand and bend down to kiss her cheek, she knew her day has started. This means a day away from her family the first of many.

"Jane please listen to what Miss Goncalves says and don't talk back".

"Ja ma and I will wait right her for you this afternoon and yes I know only you will fetch me no mater what, it will only be you".

Angela looked at Jane with tears in her eyes and wanted to give her another kiss, but Jane stopped her.

"Ma please go now I need to go into class".

Jane knew if her ma didn't leave now she would have broken down in tears, and what would they have thought of her. Jane Rizzoli cry no never especially on her first day.

When the final bell went Jane couldn't believe her day was over and she can go home to Frankie and Tommy, how she missed them but will never admit it, not to them or ma.

Jane was sitting in front of her class waiting for Angela. Before she could realize what happened she was lying flat on her back.

"Hey get off me you… sis it's me Frankie I missed you so much today".

He gave her a kiss on the cheek and was aiming to get another one in but she stopped him.

"Hello Frankie were is Ma and Tommy, here" when Jane looked up they were standing in front of her. Tommy had tears in his eyes and was hanging onto Angela for dear life.

"Why is Tommy crying Ma? Nothing to serious Jane let's go".

They spoke non-stop till home. Jane was telling them all about Miss Goncalves, the kids in the class and what it was like to wait for a bell to ring before you could eat. That was the worst part for Jane.

"Ma why did Jane have to wait to eat"? Tommy started to cry again, Angela tried to explain to Tommy again how it works when you start school - a bell rings that basically tells you what needs to be done next .

All of a sudden Frankie was giggling "ma that's so funny a bell tells you what to do. Hey Jane can you at least say something back"

Jane just starred at her brother who was sitting next to her. Poor Tommy had a sad expression on his face, as if he wanted to ask "how can you answer to a bell".

Tommy's sad eyes once again turned into tears. Angela knew why he was behaving like this.

Today was the first time they haven't eaten a meal together and he didn't see Jane for a… what he would call a long time. Angela thought about her conversation with the boys this morning after taking Jane to school.

"But ma someone will take her away and, and we will never ever see Jane again". That even brought tears to Frankie's eyes.

It took Angela most of the morning telling them that school is only 6 hours a day and then they will see her again, but try and explain that to 3 year old that only want his sister home. Frankie give her a nod every now and again showing he understand but the tears were very close.

Angel didn't have the energy to continue the discussion of explaining the same thing over and over again so she took them both for an ice cream.

Hoping it will help them feel better. Thank you for Baglios it saved the day Angela thought to herself.

Opening the front door Jane through her suitcase and shoes on the floor, ready to run up the stairs, she hears a loud voice shouting… "Jane".

As she turns around she knew now she is in trouble. If there was one thing that Angela Rizzoli wouldn't tolerate is untidiness, and Jane knew it.

"JA Ma I'm coming I just want to go and lie on my bed I'm tired".

"Pick up, this is not a pigsty and take out your lunch box and hang up your uniform. You have to wear it again tomorrow".

Jane didn't say a word, turned around collect her suitcase and went up the stairs.

All Jane wanted to do was go to her room lie on her bed, she couldn't believe school can make her so tired.

While preparing supper Angela all of a sudden realize how quiet the house is. "I must check up on them. Frank will be home in half an hour".

"Jane, Frankie, Tommy where are u guys "- nobody answered she went straight to Jane's room and yes just as she expected all 3 of them sleeping, Jane in the middle and Frankie and Tommy on each side. It brought a smile to Angela's face and heart.

Angela called them again "Come you all supper is ready and Pop's waiting. Go wash your face".

They opened their eyes and went straight to the bathroom. Washed their face and when downstairs. Like a little choir they greeted Frank "Hello Pap's"

After supper each one had chores to do even Tommy telling them to put away the plates and clean the table.

"Tommy I can't wait for you to be a bit older then you will do everything in this kitchen and we will just sit and order you around. No you won't he started to shout back at Jane, yes we will said Frankie".

Before they could continue Frank stopped them "Tommy lets go brush your teeth and get ready for bed".

Around 10pm Angela switch off the bedroom light turned on her side and looked at Frank. He took her face in the palm of his hands "I love you Angela".

She smiled gave him a kiss and told him all about her day. A day of great excitement, tears and how ice cream saved the day.

Two weeks later and Jane still haven't made a friend what to say about a best friend.

"I don't like school I want to stay home with Frankie and Tommy".

"Jane we have been through this a few times for you to have a best friend you must be a friend".

"Ma for me to be a friend I have to have a friend".

Angela knew this conversation could continue the whole morning. "Jane I want to leave in 20 minutes please".

This become their conversations for the next week and a half. Angela would always say the same words. "You have to be a friend to get a friend".

Today was different - When Angela pick Jane up from school she notice something was different. Jane was smiling and her dimples were deep. She even hugged Frankie and Tommy when she saw them. Angela thought I'm sure she made a friend not sure if it's best friend yet, but a friend.

On their way home she was telling them what happened on the playground and how they boys asked her to come play ball with them.

She was the only girl and all they boys wanted to be on her team.

"Jane you must be careful when playing ball with the boys they are rough and you can hurt yourself. Can't you find some girls that want to play with you?"

"Ma I play with Frankie and Tommy all the time and you don't say anything."

"Just be careful please Jane – so did you make some friends today."

"Ye I did, but then the girls didn't want to talk to me in class."

"Jane are all your new friends' boys?"

"Yip"

Angela looked at her daughter - Jane was her happy old self again and right now she wasn't going to chance it.

Jane enjoyed playing ball with the boys. She was even invited to a party at Nathan's house once again being the only girl that was invited.

A new year has started and Jane is doing Sub B - Frankie starts his first year. Everything Jane was told on her first day was repeated that morning to Frankie.

A week into school starting and Jane was called into the principal's office, Angela was phoned to fetch Frankie due to a bloody nose.

"What happened at school today spill the beans missy?"

"Ma Jane was only helping me she didn't start the fight it was Keith, he pushed me around and didn't want Jane to play ball with us."

"Ma I only stood up for what you have taught us, he hit Frankie first I couldn't let him do that."

"Thanks sis I'm sure nobody will mess with me again"

"Frankie stop it, your sister doesn't need more encouragement".

"Ma it was Keith not me".

"Jane Clementine Rizzoli that is enough I don't want to hear another word on who started this."

"Ja Ma….."

Jane all of a sudden felt so lonely thinking all she did was protecting Frankie. He is her brother and she had to protect him.

Keith was older then Frankie. Ah well Frankie had a bloody nose and so did Keith but also a fat blue eye Jane thought to herself.

After supper Frank sat Jane down and spoke to her to rather find friends that are girls and stop playing ball with the boys.

"Let Frankie fight his own battles."

That last sentenced almost destroyed Jane, Frank saw the sadness in Jane eyes. Frank Rizzoli just broke his only daughter's heart.

"Janie try to understand your mother is very worried that you might get hurt and Frankie has to learn to be a man."

Jane didn't have to say anything her eyes said it all. The following couple of months was awful for Jane she hated every day of school.

She would go to school sit alone at break time come home go straight to her room. Frank saw what he did to his daughter and on more than one occasion he apologized to Jane but it didn't make her feel better.

She loved playing ball with her friends even though they were boys they were her friends. The only ones she had. Jane would try to befriend some of the girls in her class but they would only be friends for a day or two.

The Rizzoli kids were invited to Giovanni's party on Saturday, Jane already said she wasn't going because he is a boy.

"Jane they have been our neighbor for the last year and we know them well, its ok you can go."

"No Ma I don't want to go they might play ball and what must I then do sit and watch them - no."

Angela knew the talk Frank had with her broke her heart, but they had to do it.

To everyone's surprise Jane did go to the party and she had a wonderful time. The adults where inside and all the kids were outside playing ball including Jane, this meant the world to her - Jane Rizzoli was in seventh heaven.

When they went home that evening Angela notice there was a twinkle in Jane's eyes. Angela knew deep inside of her Jane played ball with the boys and she enjoyed every minute of it.

Was it really wrong to have boys as your friends and play ball with them, even though they were rough.

All Angela wanted was for her kids to be happy.

Laughter filled the Rizzoli house and Angela couldn't remember when last she heard such happy noises.

Giovanni become part of the family - yes together they would get into trouble share laughter's and even got a hiding from Angela.

Angela soon released that what made Jane so happy was Giovanni he was a very good friend to Jane and the boys. Angela also discovered part of that happiness was playing ball and she wasn't going to stop Jane.

Another year has passed and Jane could try out for the school's football team. Jane, Giovanni and Frankie would be at practice during break times. They couldn't stay for practice after school as they did not discuss it with their mother.

"Ma ma would it be ok for Frankie and I to play ball for the School team."

"We can discuss it at supper."

Jane and Frankie smiled from ear to ear.

"Isn't Giovanni coming over today?"

"No he is going to the dentist got into a fight with Keith, but I think Keith will need more than a dentist to fix his mouth. Giovanni hid him…"

"Jane don't tell me you were part of the fight."

"Nope not this time I just watched."

"Is he ok though shame poor child. Why did they fight?"

Before Jane could say anything Frankie shouted it out "a Girl Ma"