Free Society Girls: Jenysis by Crystal Perkins Page A

are tearing her to pieces.
    “I have to tell him. Thanks, E. I’ll see you for riding tomorrow, right?”
    “I’ll be there.”
    I kiss him on the cheek, and hurry down the hall. The door to the library opens as I approach, and Scott steps out. “Jen, is something wrong.”
    “Yes. I need to see Wayne.”
    “We just finished.”
    I step to the side to let everyone file out, and then I enter the room, Scott on my heels. Wayne is talking to Sierra and Rhieve, but when he sees me, he hurries over. “What’s wrong?”
    “They’re attacking her.”
    “Her? Sonia? Who’s attacking her? The media?”
    “Yes, and maybe the media has said things, but it’s your fans I’m more worried about.”
    “Show me.”
    He slumps in a nearby chair after looking at the posts, and tweets. “I know they just want to support you.”
    “This isn’t supporting me. I would never ask them for this. I don’t want this, Jeny. I can’t even wrap my head around girls and women saying those things about another woman.”
    “I can’t, either.”
    “I need to make a statement.”
    “Do you want to talk to Alesha first?”
    “No. I want to see Camari. I need her to set something up for me. Right now. This can’t wait.”
    “I’ll call her.”
    He pulls me onto his lap as I make the call. I hold his hand with my free one as he buries his face in my neck. He doesn’t say anything, or do anything at first. He just holds me tight, and breathes.
    “I hate this, Jeny girl. I hate all of it. Why is this happening to me?”
    “I don’t know, but we’re going to find out. I promise.”
    “Thank you for believing in me.”
    “Always.”

9
    W ayne
    “We should talk about this,” Alesha tells me as Jenysis and I walk out of our bedroom. I’m not a suit and tie guy, but I changed out of my swim trunks and into jeans and a t-shirt for the press conference Camari set up. I need everyone to know I’m serious about what I’m going to say.
    I grip Jeny’s hand tight as we walk to the front door. “Nothing to talk about. I won’t let this go on.”
    “You can’t defend that woman without looking guilty.”
    “Sonia. Her name is Sonia. Don’t forget it.”
    “I didn’t forget it, but listen Wayne. Your life is on the line here.”
    “So is hers. What if she does something because of how vicious people are being? She doesn’t deserve this.”
    “I know she doesn’t,” she tells me with a sigh. “I feel for her, I do, but we haven’t even chosen a jury yet. For you to go out and do whatever you’re going to do…without even talking to me…it just might look bad for you.”
    “I’m not talking to you about what I’m saying, because it’s all me. I don’t want words from anyone else. I have to say these things. Just me. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t speak up.”
    “I get that, but can you give me an idea about what you’re going to say? Just an idea?”
    “I’m going to tell them to leave her alone.”
    I turn Jeny so that she’s got her back against the wall next to the door. Like I said, this has got to be all me, but I want to know she’s right there as I make my statement. It may come out as more of a plea, but whatever it takes to get them all to listen.
    “Are you ready?” Camari asks me.
    “Yes,” I tell her, opening the door.
    The flashbulbs practically blind me from the other side. I can’t leave the house, so I’ll be standing in the doorway to speak. The reporters have been told that I won’t be answering questions, but I know they’ll try to ask anyway. Closing the door on them may not be tactful, but it’s a safety net I have no trouble using if need be.
    “Thanks for coming out here on such short notice. I have some things to say, and they couldn’t wait,” I take a deep breath before continuing. “I saw some things on social media this evening that are greatly disturbing to me. People who are calling themselves fans of mine are attacking Sonia Cordova. I am asking you all