I ran to my room, changed my clothes, threw the mini and vest in the garbage. I washed my feet, all black from running across half the city. Took two Tylenol for my aching knees, washed off the make-up, tied my hair back and fled to Anda’s. I had soooo much to tell her.
We never knocked on each others doors, just waltzed on in. Her Dad was watching TV, her Ma, ensconced in the big chair, smoked and smiled. She was the neighborhood fortune teller and she was good. She had that perpetual dreamy air about her. She always smiled. We could never decide if she was perpetually happy or a just a madwoman. Her father was crabbing about something on TV. I loved them both to bits. I politely said hello to them even though it was probably the fourth time they’d seen me today.
I wanted to burst into Kiss and Anda’s bedroom but I calmly walked in and closed the door, our cue that something went down and the parents weren’t to hear it. I flopped on Anda’s bed and gasped “You will never guess what happened?!!” They both looked at me with that “NOW WHAT?!” look. I have a tendency to bring that out in people. I sat up, took a deep breath. The whole story escaped in one long, emotional torrent. Anda’s reaction said it all. Her eyes half closed, telling me “I’m barely believing this story Goldilocks.” But that’s ok too. I would have a hard time believing me if I hadn’t lived it. Kiss got us some Pepsi and we moved on to other things. By the time I got home, I’d let it go.
The next day, I was about to do another of my eternal runs over to Anda’s, when I passed the table and noticed the newspaper. There for the entire world to see was the headline “Local Boys Get Injured Protecting Fifteen Year Old Girl.” I about crapped myself. They got hurt?! How did they know I was 15?! With hair on end, I flew to Anda’s house. Her Dad wasn’t home from work yet, so I didn’t have to wrestle him for the newspaper. I grabbed it off her table and dragged her into the bedroom. “Holy Crap, Anda! LOOK!” I cried.
Apparently, when I fled, Jackie Cole hauled off and hit the young man who’d been holding my hand and broke his jaw. He’d pushed the other boy. I was horrified. Seconds later, their father arrived. Jackie and his goons took off. But being who they were, in the car they were driving, the police caught them a few blocks away. They arrested Jackie and Beeno, who would end up doing time for the assault. I was near tears. I felt so bad for those young boys who got hurt because of me. “I know,” said Anda “but if they hadn’t helped you, Pecker Cole and Pisser Curry would have got you and hurt you real bad.” Not only is she the voice of reason, she is the queen of Choice Words. And Kiss pipes up “they would have raped you.” The reality of it all settled upon us…it was actually quiet in there for a change.
“How did they know I was 15?!” I wailed. “Uh, well look at you Goldie,” Anda says in her annoyed voice. She was right. And fifteen, in a mini and heels, is asking for trouble. I never got to thank those boys. I hope they get to read this and know how sorry but grateful I am.
Next -> Littlest Victim
Tags: choice words, headlines, pecker, Pepsi, washed my feet