A large, bare, rather grim concrete space, enclosed by tall chain-link fences that both gangs are masters of climbing, the playground, especially in light of Tony's death, retains the feeling of being in a cage.

Velma led Graziella over to one of the few benches in the playground and sat her down, wrapping her arms around her. "Graz," she murmured softly, "honey, just hang in there."

"Riff," the redhaired girl breathed painfully. That single name said everything that she couldn't. "Oh, Riff."

Minnie and Clarice crowded in as well, all of them squeezing Graziella. Clarice knew from her mother that people liked being hugged when they were upset because the pressure soothed certain nerves that comforted the invidual. So she hugged Graziella with all her might, wanting her to know it was okay, they were all here for her, even if Riff couldn't be.

Graziella clung to her friends, more grateful for their presence than she could say. "I--I'm okay," she said shakily, and sniffed. "I just--it got to me again, y'know?"

Velma nodded, stroking her best friend's hair. "Yeah," she said quietly, feeling a stab of guilt. "It's okay, though. Cry, if ya need to. We're here for ya."

"I'm so sorry, Graziella," Clarice murmured, not sure of what else she could say.

Graziella shook her head heavily. "Talk to me about somethin'," she requested wearily. "Anythin'. Just so's I don' have to think about it. Please."

They were quiet for a moment, each trying to think. Then Minnie supplied, "I saw a worm on the sidewalk."

Clarice stared at her.

Graziella's mouth fell open. Then, without warning, she felt a giggle well up out of her. She raised her hand to her mouth as slow, half-sobbing laughter spilled out. Oh, Minnie.

Velma blinked. Well, that certainly did the trick.

Minnie looked worried. "Is she okay?"

Clarice suddenly snorted and started giggling. She clapped a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide in horror as she realized what she was doing.

Graziella couldn't help it; she burst out into full-fledged giggles. "Worms," she gasped.

Velma had to laugh, too. "Oh, Minnie, I love you," she sighed, relieved and grateful for the younger girl.

Seeing that it was all right, Clarice let herself laugh as well.

Minnie continued to smile, albeit with a confused face. "Um...okay."

Clarice laughed even harder at this.

Graziella wiped her eyes, now pretty sure that at least some of those tears were from laughing. "Thanks, Minnie," she sighed, shaking her head, "I needed that. How's Baby John doin'?"

Minnie shrugged, her face blushing. "Oh, he's fine, I suppose," she murmured.

Graziella laughed. "When is he ever gonna make a move?" she teased, pushing her thoughts of Riff to the back of her mind.

Minnie blushed again. "Um..."

Clarice put an arm around Minnie. "I'm sure he'll do it soon."

Minnie's only response was to blush further.

Velma smiled. "He's probably just wantin' to make sure it's perfect, I bet," she said reassuringly. "You know him, he's sweet like that."

Graziella nodded her agreement. "What're ya gonna wear when he does ask ya out?" she asked.

Minnie was turning a furious shade of red. "I don't know," she said quietly.

"I think you should wear that lavender dress you got a few weeks ago," Clarice said decisively.

Velma nodded excitedly. "Yeah. Ooh, and your blue-gray shoes, Minnie."

"What's the dress look like?" asked Graziella curiously. She vaguely remembered Clarice and Velma mentioning a shopping trip around then, but she hadn't wanted to go because she'd had a date with Riff then...

Minnie's face lit up as Graziella posed the question. "Well, it's lavender, of course, and it has a sort of v-neck, and it goes down to about here." She indicated the distance with her hand, stopping it at just below her knees. "And it's got this kind of ruffled hem, and it's just barely off the shoulders, so I'll have to wear a strapless brassiere." She covered her face in her hands, obviously finding the mention of such a garment scandalous.

Graziella smiled. "Sure sounds great, Minnie. We'll have to have a get-together to get ya ready when it happens."

Velma grinned. "Do ya even have one of those, Minnie?" she asked curiously.

Minnie flushed a brilliant shade of pink. "Yes...only I don't wear it very often. Daddy doesn't like me to wear anything that needs one."

"Ah," Velma nodded. "Your dad's...kinda protective, ain't he?"

Graziella snorted. That was the understatement of the century.

Minnie nodded, sighing. "Yes. Mother says it's because he's a police officer and he sees so much trouble he doesn't want me to become part of it."

"He's just looking out for his little girl," Clarice explained, brushing a curl behind Minnie's ear. "Every father wants to do that."

Velma thought about it. It made sense, in a way. "Yeah," she agreed. "My dad don't do that as much, but I think it's 'cause he's mostly in the hospital all the time, an' he don't see the things yours does." She thought of her father's gentle, worried cautions the first time she'd come home late from a date with Ice and smiled fondly. That didn't mean he didn't worry, though.

Clarice smiled a little. "My parents don't really know what the streets can be like; my father works with clocks and watches all day, and my mother teaches kindergarten. But if they did know, they'd probably make Bernice and me go everywhere together!"

Graziella sniffed. "My mom and dad have been against me being on the streets with you guys ever sicne I started."

Velma glanced sideways at Graziella. "Yeah, I think my dad mentioned somethin' about your dad talkin' to him about it. Or somethin'."

"Great," Graziella muttered. "Just fuckin' GREAT."

"No, no," said Velma hastily, "I think this was awhile ago, back when we moved here. Y'know, when you an' I started hangin' out."

graziella sighed. "Nah, they still don't like it... specially after..."

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