11. A lesson for life
The next day Johnny and Thomas, Ricky and Natalie went again into town and begged for money.
But this time Johnny didn't burst into tears.
He watched how smart Natalie and Ricky made it.
He hated it a little, but then he dared to try it as well. But even then when he smoked a cigarette. And his gain wasn't that bad.
Maybe it was a reason that Johnny really looked like a beaten up puppy and this caused pity at the people.
Thomas usually never exposed himself at the level to ask at first for money; he preferred to pinch it. He was a matchless champ in that!
They returned at afternoon again.
When they were at home they saw Anna sitting on top of a wall.
"Hey, Anna! What's wrong with our little sweetheart?" Natalie asked.
"Aw, I'm soo bored!" Anna said and made a face.
Natalie sat to her and said, "Uh, sweetie! Don't ya know anythin' do with ya? Well, then I'm gonna play with ya, ok?"
"Thanks, Sis!"
Both just would go when Isabell dropped in and said to Natalie, "Hey Natalie. Patrick wanna talk to ya. I guess it's 'bout Enrico again..."
When Natalie turned to her sister and would say her that she couldn't play with her, Johnny said shy, "Um, Natalie, I could play with Anna if ya don't mind, do ya?"
"Oh, Johnny! Would ya really do this for me?"
"Why not? I like Anna, too!" this one meant shrugging.
"Thanks, Johnny!" Natalie said smiling. Johnny blushed.
So Natalie went with Isabell to Patrick and also Thomas and Ricky followed both girls to leave Johnny and Anna alone.
"Well and what are we gonna play?" Johnny asked.
Anna thought about it a moment and said then with shining eyes, "Read out of my favorite book."
"Ok, come on!"
Anna jumped from the wall.
Johnny took the girl at the hand and they walked inside the factory, to Anna's mattress. When Anna gave him the book she groaned.
"What's the matter?"
"Aw nothin'. It's ok now."
Johnny touched her forehead and meant, "Oh, I think, you've a bit temperature. Ya better lie down!"
She lay down unwilling. There she started to cough.
"Well, I guess ya caught a cold!" Johnny began to read out of the book.
But he didn't read very long until Anna fell asleep.
He just would go when Ricky rushed to him.
He said gasping, "Oh, Johnny! Here you are! I searched for ya everywhere!"
"Hey Ricky! Be quiet, Anna just fell asleep. I think she has a bit temperature and she coughed! Let's go outside, and then she can sleep alone!"
"But it's 'bout that! Enrico's here and he wanna see everyone! That means also ya and Anna!"
"But Anna's ill! She better stays here!"
"But he wanna..."
"No, we let her stay here!" Johnny said unusual determined.
"Johnny! Ricky! Where are ya? Enrico's gonna get mad!" Isabell shouted.
"We're comin'!" Ricky replied.
The both boys ran outside.
There the others gathered around a dark haired man, which one could point to Italian 'cause of his appearance and accent.
Johnny guessed that this one would probably be the famous-notorious Enrico.
When they were near him he started, "Where were ya so long? When I come everyone has to be there! Get it? Where's Anna? Didn't I say that everyone, and with that I mean everyone as well, should come?"
Johnny flinched with that and explained, "That's impossible! Anna lies in bed. She has a temperature!"
Enrico looked at Johnny surprised and said, "Who are ya? Actually, in which voice ya talk with me? Ya probably don't know who stands in front of ya, do ya? Ya only have to talk when I allow it and when I asked ya somethin'. Otherwise ya have to be silent! Understand?"
When Johnny didn't answer him, he shouted at him, "Did ya understand me? I wanna hear from ya if ya got it!"
"Yeah." Johnny said quite intimidated.
"Thomas, come along with me! We're gonna bring the young disobedient lady out of her bed. I wanna beat her out if necessary!"
"No, please don't do anythin' to her ! I'm gonna call her!" Natalie said.
"Ya stay here! That would fit ya! Disobedience must be punished!" Enrico said and slapped Natalie's face.
He rushed with Thomas, who didn't feel well with this, into the building. Short time later they heard Enrico yelling.
He came out with Anna on the arm. Thomas followed him.
Anna cried and had a red cheek, that she covered crying with her hand.
"Stop howlin' or else I'm gonna beat ya to dead!" he said to Anna.
When they arrived at the others he threw Anna rough on the ground.
"Anna!" Natalie screamed and kneeled beside her crying sister.
"Well, and now to ya! Who are ya actually?" Enrico turned to Johnny.
Johnny answered stuttering, "Um, I'm... I'm J... Johnny. I ran away and..."
But he didn't come further, because Enrico gave him a slap in his face.
At first Johnny stared at Enrico scared then his glance stiffened. He reached into his back pocket, drew his blade out and switched the blade.
"Uh, what? Ya try to threaten me with that? I think the persons here didn't tell ya quite a lot! I rule over ya, I have ya in my grip and I expect from ya that you're devoted to me! Who offends against it, is gonna get to feel my power! Understand?" Enrico meant composed and nodded to his companions.
Two of them separated from the others and came towards Johnny.
This one yielded back and held his blade protective in front of himself and said, "Leave me alone!"
But the both came towards him.
One of them hit him hard into the stomach, so that Johnny gasped for breath and bent a bit. This used the other one and kicked with his knee the switchblade out of Johnny's hand. Then Johnny got once more a rough punch into his stomach. Johnny fell on his knees and gasped. Both left him and returned to Enrico.
This scene ran so fast that the others couldn't even react.
"Well, I hope this was informative enough for ya!" Enrico meant condescending and turned to Patrick to collect the money, which they earned.
When he was gone the others rushed to Johnny and helped him to get up.
Now the rage at Enrico was also unleashed by Johnny!
Another two days went by.
In this time Johnny often went with his new friends into town and begged there for money.
Almost one week passed after Johnny's 'getaway' now.