The Juvie Three

Healy’s head has healed, but he still hasn’t regained his memory. Gecko wrestles with his desire to tell Healy everything, but he chooses to wait until his memory comes back on its own so that Healy can protect them from the social worker.

At home, Arjay is practicing guitar for his upcoming gig, Gecko is typing up Healy’s weekly report, and Terence is reading for school. They argue about how they’re going to earn money to keep paying for their food. Terence tells them he has something “in the works” (141). Arjay advises caution, and Terence angrily kicks a nearby cart, which causes the bowling trophy to fall and break again. He lashes out angrily, saying that they’ve all thrown caution to the wind as Arjay has joined a band and Gecko’s gotten himself a girlfriend. He warns Gecko not to tell her the truth.

Gecko bristles, but he knows that Terence is right. More and more he’s having to direct Roxanne away from sensitive questions about his home life. Gecko is envious of Roxanne and Arjay for having families that care for them. Roxanne invites Gecko to come to a party her parents are throwing so they can meet him. Despite the risks, Gecko agrees.

The party turns out to be on a luxurious yacht. Gecko enjoys the view of the New York City skyline until a crew member summons them to meet Roxanne’s father. He’s standing with a group of friends, one of whom turns out to be Deputy Chief Mike Delancey, the “number two cop in New York City” (147).

Terence and Gecko have come to a club called Pus Grove to support Arjay’s first performance in his new band. While they wait for Arjay to come onstage, they see Casey in the crowd. Gecko panics and wants to warn Arjay, but he’s too late—the club goes dark and Arjay’s band, This Page Cannot Be Displayed, begins to play. Terence is unimpressed with the band, but he begrudgingly admits that Arjay has talent.

Casey finds the boys in the crowd and gushes over Arjay’s performance. Terence and Gecko go to find Arjay, who is with his band and being propositioned by a “slick-haired thirtysomething in a black turtleneck” who encourages them to consider a band manager (153). Arjay is less than enthusiastic because he knows that things like tours and contracts aren't going to be an option for a while.

Terence wants to frighten Casey into silence, but Arjay feels he can talk to her instead. As they speak, however, Casey showers him with questions, and Arjay realizes that Terence might have been right; Casey is talking too much. In a moment of desperation, Arjay kisses her, and she kisses him back.

Gecko and his classmates are in the middle of a historical reenactment—the signing of the Declaration of Independence—when the school guidance counsellor shows up and summons Gecko to the office. Mike Delancey from Roxanne’s father’s boat is there waiting for him. The police officer tells Gecko that he discovered who he is and where he’s living. Gecko is terrified that their ruse has been discovered.

The officer explains that Roxanne’s father doesn’t think that Gecko is an appropriate match for his daughter. Mike tells him that he needs to break up with Roxanne, otherwise he’ll call Healy and Gecko will be sent back to juvie. It’s at that moment that Gecko realizes that Mike doesn’t know the truth. Unwillingly, he agrees.

At lunch, Gecko sits down with a meal to avoid going to see Roxanne at the hospital. While there, he sees the bully Goliath trip Diego. Inflamed by all the injustice around him, Gecko marches over and throws his food into the bully’s face. As Goliath’s friends rush over, Gecko notices that Terence has appeared at his side ready to fight with him.

Goliath’s friends hold him back because they’re afraid of Gecko and Terence, and they flee. With his lunch ruined, Gecko decides to go to the hospital and break up with Roxanne.

Once he arrives, Roxanne joins him, and another nurse sends them to the laundry room for linens. While downstairs, Roxanne attempts to make plans with him, but Gecko tells her that it’s over. He attempts to go back to not thinking, but he finds himself unable to. Roxanne is visibly upset and throws a box of detergent at him before telling him to leave the hospital.