Page 1 of Beyond Perfect

Prologue

25 years ago

“Time for some fun.” The leader of the Tarantulas let out an ugly laugh. Pierced and tattooed up the wazoo, Lupo trained his gaze on Jackie. “I hope you’re ready, kid.”

Jackie held his head high. He had to get through this. Hewouldget through this.

All ten of the gang members lined up with pipes and sticks. No bats, though, because they could kill the new guy with those.

Sneering.

“Woo-hoo.”

“You gonna get hurt, boy.”

“Go!”

Jackie thrust his body forward. The first blow landed on his back. Pain splintered through him but he held his tongue. The second seared his right leg.Oh, oh, God, oh God. The third came out from the front of him and hit his chest. His knees buckled in agony but he stayed upright.

Jackie kept going in a blur. He hunched over, covered his head. Bit the inside of his mouth till he tasted blood.

Finally, he got to the end and dropped to his knees. His whole body was in a big ball of pain. Still, he didn’t scream.

He felt a boot prod him. “Good job, Jacko. You jumped in real fine.”

He got a new name that night and now stood on the other side of the gauntlet himself. He’d been on oxy for a while so he was feelin’ great. When his turn came, he smashed the ten-year-old in the gut. The kid went down.

And didn’t get up.

At least Jacko got his turn. He had years to look forward to. At twelve, he was an official member of the worst gang in upstate New York.

Chapter 1

Present Day

Maisy sat with Annie Stefano working on the next unit for their classes at Pathways. It would be the last one before summer. They usually ended with milder readings and upbeat history lessons. They’d been working ten minutes when Seth Sanders came through the door. “Hey, Seth,” Maisy said.

“Hi, Maisy.” He nodded his head to Annie. “Hey.”

“Hello, Seth.”

“Have you heard about Jackson?”

Maisy tried to keep her voice neutral. “No, I have no idea where he is.” Damn him.

“That’s not what I mean. He’s back.”

Maisy’s heart thrummed in her chest. She took a deep breath to calm it and told herself her reaction was due to anger.

Annie said, “Thanks for telling us.”

“Yeah. See you around.”

When he left, Annie touched Maisy’s hand. “You’re upset.”

“I’m angry. I’ve worried like crazy this past week.”

“He should have let you know he was all right.”

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