Home at Last

“A year and a half ago, the end of my sophomore year, I was suspended for something I didn’t do, but I took the rap.” A pause. “What was it?” “An exam got stolen and was passed around. The guy that did it was a senior, a guy I knew. He was going to some fancy college. I didn’t say anything when I found out, he was my friend. I thought it would blow over; everyone would just forget. Boy was I wrong! They found the test in my locker. I got called to the office and I swore I didn’t know how it got there. No one believed me. I think they thought I was covering for someone, but they wouldn’t let me off the hook. I got suspended for the rest of the school year, had to do lessons at home. I was lucky they passed me. “When I came back, my junior year, I thought it would all be forgotten, like no one would even think about it. I took the rap helping a guy, and I was the one everyone looked at and talked about. I went from good guy to ‘stay away from Johnny, he’s trouble’. My whole junior year was the pits. So, I quit. I didn’t care anymore. No one else did.” “What about your parents?” “Things changed there, too. They never believed me; thought they had a thief for a kid. The shame was too great. Now, they don’t even admit it ever happened.” David knew now why Mr. Garrison claimed he knew nothing of the reason for Johnny’s changed behavior. “My dad used to do things with me, then he started doing things with my little brother and sister. I just eat and sleep there. As soon as I graduate, I’m gone.” “So, the guys from the grocery store are your friends?” “Yeah,” he shrugged, “they were there. They came up to me. After a year of no one to talk to, it was kind’a nice to have someone to pal around with. They don’t ask for anything.” “They ask for your allegiance to their group.” “Maybe.” Another shrug. “Johnny, they drink and smoke. That’s two bad habits; you’re under the legal age to do both.” “But everyone does.” Johnny stood up, exasperated, “Don’t you see everyone needs someone, even me.” pg. 169