Chapter 4: When You're a Jet (Tony POV)

The air was crisp and light, and nothing in the world could bring Tony down. No matter what he was doing, his thoughts turned to the one who made him forget every reason he hated himself. Just the whisper of her name made him feel more alive than he ever had before. Maria. Tony floated about the store, cleaning and straightening when he heard the ding of the door opening. After that day in the store, every time he heard it, he hoped it was her again. Instead, it was the person he dreaded seeing, even though he missed him.

"Long time, no see pal.", Riff said as he pulled a new cigarette from his pack. Riff walked in with the same nonchalant, nothing-in-the-world-matter way he had since they were kids. Tony could tell by the way Riff looked at him he wasn't here to see him, but to talk business; business always meant the Jets, which meant a fight was in the works.

"Could say the same thing to you. You know where am at. These days, I can't pin you down for even a minute."

"Well, if you weren't so busy stocking cans and whatnot, you'd know where your friends are. Or your used-to-be friends I mean", Riff said picking up some candy and putting it in his pocket.

"You need to pay for those. And there's no used-to-be about it. I have to work. You know work. That thing where you do stuff for others, they give you money you've earned, and you stay out of trouble.". Tony picked up the next box and continued stocking the shelves.

Riff scoffed. "Yeah, work. The same speech the cops give me about being a 'productive member of society' when they're just trying to avoid doing anything except sit on their fat asses and choke on donuts all day. You know something, Tony? You've been corrupted. Weren't you the one who said that life meant nothing unless you're a Jet? Well, here it is four years later, and you've all but abandoned us."

Tony stopped stocking and turned his full attention to Riff. "I never abandoned anyone. And I've not been corrupted. People change. I did. Especially after that night…"

"Tony, you got to let that go. That Emerald guy had it coming, anyway…"

Tony cut him off, "No he didn't! No one does!", he turned away, going back to his task. "Plus, it's not like I can run around like I used to. My parole officer's got eyes everywhere."

"Tony, we need you. Those Sharks are trouble. This has been our neighborhood since day one. We never let anyone walk our turf who didn't know who we were. Now these Sharks think they got some right to go were they please. We gotta make them know who's top dog. We need you, to take back what's ours."

Tony couldn't say anything that would Riff see. He stayed silent and kept working.

"Alright, buddy-boy. I can see your conflicted. Tell you what. How about coming to the dance next Friday night? Sharks will be there. No trouble, just to talk business with them. Maybe a night out is what you need to remind you of why we started the Jets.". Riff jumped up and headed for the door. "Give ya a couple days to see reason. So long, Superman.". The door swung closed, and all Tony could do was sit down.

He had to use his old nickname… the thing that reminded him of…different times. When he and Riff were closer than brothers and life only mattered with his friends.

Flashback:

Tony and Riff ran as hard as they could. Those Emerald guys were fast, but no one could outrun Superman and Batman. The two fourteen-year-olds ducked into a nearby alley and watched the Emeralds run down past them and onto the next street. Tony and Riff slide down the wall and looked at their haul. So far, they had collected eleven dollars, two packs of cigarettes, and a few pieces of gum.

They didn't know that that last guy they pickpocketed was in the Emeralds. They were a neighborhood gang who strutted around like they owned the world. They vandalized shops, beat up kids younger than them, and even broke into Doc's and trashed the place. Tony and Riff hated the Emeralds. Doc never did anything to anyone, but that didn't stop the Emeralds from throwing a trashcan right through the front window.

"It's time those Emeralds be knocked down a peg or two", Tony said as they divided up the cigarettes, "They think they own the neighborhood, but they don't. Most of 'em don't even live here. This is our neighborhood, and our streets."

"Let's do it Superman! Womb to tomb, right?", said Riff holding out his hand.

"Birth to earth, Batman!". Tony clutched his hand, signifying the beginning of a new gang. They would have the best gang to ever come.

Present:

Tony was pulled back from his memories by the sound of Valentina returning with lunch. She dropped the sandwiches on the counter, and as she went to put her purse away, she said, "I saw that boy Riff leaving a second ago. What did he steal this time?"

Tony grinned, "Just some candy. You can take it out of my pay this week."

"I will not take your money for that boy. I know he's your friend, but he attracts trouble. I don't want you to fall back into that again."

Tony nodded, "Me, either. I promise I'm not going near anymore trouble."

Valentina smiled, "I know. Besides, you have other interests nowadays. Any word from your mystery girl?"

Tony blushed, "None so far." He didn't want to reveal her name just yet.

"Have hope. If she's smart, she'll be back."

Tony chuckled, "Why's that?"

Valentina spoke softly, "Because a smart woman knows a good catch when she sees it." She winked at Tony, then went to the back. Tony continued eating and thinking about what to say when, and if, Maria ever returned. He wasn't going to stumble again when he saw her again.