Jan
I couldn't get used to not having Putz around. It 's funny, most of times you give people and things for granted, and you just don't realize how important they are until you don't have them. And that was exactly what was happening with me those days. I mean, I had fun with Putz and all that, but I didn't know how much I needed him until he had been taken away from me. It didn't help having to face all kind of gossip about him and poor Debbie...even in our own gang. Things had begun to get a bit uneasy between Rizz and me, though knowing her, I hadn't given it further importance. But one day, at a sleepover at Frenchy's place, tensions broke out deffinitely
-God, I hope they find the real killer soon...I miss Putz so much!
-Well, we don't really know if...
-If?- I looked at Rizz, feeling kinda puzzled. Did she really mean what I thought?-Hell , Rizz, you won't even imagine Putz killed Debbie, right?
-Who else could? His jacket and his pocket knife were...
-What the hell are you saying, huh?
Rizzo looked at me, with a challenging air. Marty and Frenchy seemed to be kinda worried about how were things going...
-Calm down, you guys. Wanna some wine?
-I'm calm, French. Just wanna know what Rizz wanted to say...
-Right, I'll tell you. I'm not that sure Putzie didn't kill Debbie, after all evidences say he did, don't they?
-Go to hell, Rizzo! How can you ever think something like that? I know, you were friends with Debbie and all that, but you're supposed to be OUR friend as well, right? How long do you know Putz? Six years or so, ain't that? Time enough to know he would never harm anyone... Damn, this mess is being hard enough to me, I hoped I would have some support from all of you!
She tried to go back, but I was too angry as to stop. I could bear that kind of comments at school, but not if who made them was one of my so called friends.
-I think you both should calm down and talk about this later...
-There's nothing to talk about, French! -I took my Pink Ladies jacket off, and threw it to Rizzo- You can shove this jacket wherever you want. I bet you won't like a killer's girlfriend being in your group, huh?
I stormed out of the room, and heard Marty came after me...
-Hey, Jan, wait...
-What, Marty? I'm not going to apologize, if... God, this is being hard enough for me, I expected having some support from you but you've seen...after so many years of being "friends" and she reacts this way. Well, she can go to hell!
-Will you listen? Sonny and me are in your side, you know that, right?
-You're one of the few...My folks always thought he was the worst choice I could ever make, and now, with all this, I even can't mention his name without them going mad at me... And God, I feel as if all this could drive me crazy...it's all so unfair! I can't stop thinking of how will he be...
-Let me talk to Rizz, ok? And you'll see, Putz will be back much sooner than you think.
-I wish I were as optimistic as you are, Marty. Anyway, thanks...
One week later
Sam and me did get along quite well, he was probably the only one I could really trust there in the Juvie. He had warned me about Harris, one of the guards, and also about Wallace, one of the bullies there. And yet, I fell like a fool ...
I always kept the picture Jan had given me in the same place, under the pillow, and had only talked about her to Sam.
One of the days, when I was back from a shower, early in the morning, as I was going to take the picture with me, I saw it wasn't there. I looked again, hoping to find it... Then, I heard some laughters coming from the other side of the dormitory. I felt rage invading me...
-What the hell are you doin' with that picture? Give it to me!
They didn't answer, just kept rolling the picture, making all kind of jokes sob it it. That was too much to bear, so I just punched Wallace. In no time, both of us were having a fist fight...Sam tried unsuccesfully to stop us, but I was too angry as to listen to him.
Then, we heard Harris's tough voice.
-What the f*** is going on here?
I was nose bleeding, and had a cut on one eyebrow...Wallace didn't look much better.
-I said, what's going on here?- he gave me a stern look-It seems you haven't learnt the rules in here, right? Well, maybe some time isolated will help you.
He grabbed me by an arm and took me out of the room. Sam was about to protest, but I gestured him to stop.
Harris took me to the upper floor of the building, and opened a room...So, that was punishment room...it was small even for only one person, and it had no light. He pushed me inside and closed the door.
-Let's see if two days here calm that rage of yours.
I had been a real fool, falling right in Wallace's foul play. And yet, there had to be a way to get scores settled...