Free Society Girls: Jenysis by Crystal Perkins

time for me to Skype with Jeny, so I went upstairs.”
    “Was Sonia still in the bar?”
    “Yeah. I saw her before I got mobbed outside the elevators. Security came to rescue me, but I’d already lost my favorite hat by then.”
    “Were you on with Jen the rest of the night?”
    “No. About an hour, but then we said goodnight.” I’m not going to tell them what we did during that hour unless I have to, and right now I don’t think I have to.
    “Did you go to sleep?”
    I shake my head. “I was hungry, and I didn’t feel like room service. I ran down to the 24-hour café, and had some late night breakfast. I got noticed, so I ate pretty fast, and then looked into the bar to make sure the girl wasn’t still drinking, before going back to my room. Then, I went to sleep.”
    “Wait, you went back to check on her?” Sierra asks. “Really?”
    “I told you she didn’t seem okay. I thought I would call her a cab or something if I saw her, but she wasn’t there.”
    “But other people saw you?” Rhieve asks.
    “Maybe, but I kind of kept to the shadows in the doorway. I didn’t really want to be recognized again.”
    “Did you stop anywhere else? A slot machine, the tables, anywhere?” Scott asks me.
    “No. I just wanted to get upstairs and sleep.”
    “I’m guessing since you haven’t mentioned times, you don’t remember them.”
    “Not really. I mean, I know I Skyped with Jeny at 11, but that’s it.”
    “Sonia was raped between one and three, as best they can tell.”
    “And I have no alibi.”
    “We’re going to get that security footage.”
    He doesn’t say the other words, but we all know them. We need that footage. The forensics won’t come back with any of my DNA, but with evidence of condoms being used, they can say I took part, even if it’s not my semen on her body. I didn’t rape anyone, but circumstantial evidence has convicted lots of people, and I’m starting to get even more worried that I’ll be one of them.

    * * *
    J enysis
    I know Wayne needs to complete these interviews on his own, but I wish I was there, holding his hand and showing my support. E is doing a valiant effort of keeping me distracted by talking about horses and polo, but I glance at the hallway leading to the library every few seconds.
    “Scott’s the best at what he does.”
    I smile at the boy before me. “I know. I’m glad he’s on our side. Ainsley is amazing, too, but having Scott with us makes me feel better about things.”
    “You don’t think Wayne did it, do you?”
    “Not at all. Not even for a second when the police came to arrest him. People could say I’m biased, because I love him, but I know him and his heart. He couldn’t hurt a woman. Or a man, really. I’ve seen him walk away when he’s being baited, when he could stay and fight. He’s definitely a lover, and not a fighter.”
    “I don’t think he did it, either. Mama told me rape is about power, and Wayne isn’t like that. People always notice him if we’re hanging out, but he’s never mean, and he doesn’t try to get the attention. Some of the people at school think he did it, though. Mama says I can stand up for him, but I can’t fight, either.”
    “He wouldn’t want you to, although he’d be happy to know you believe in him.”
    “I’ll tell him.” He looks uncomfortable for a minute, and then looks me in the eye. “You know I like you a lot, Jen. I have to ask you something, though.”
    “Go ahead.”
    “You’re not going to join in on shaming that woman, are you?”
    “What are you talking about? Sonia? Who’s shaming her? And no, I would never do that.”
    “Wayne’s ‘fans’ are saying stuff. It’s pretty bad.”
    I pull out my phone, and look. I’d been avoiding social media, because I was afraid I’d see someone attacking Wayne, and not be able to control my response. But what I’m seeing is worse than I could’ve imagined—and it’s not directed at Wayne, but at Sonia. His so-called fans