…15 and in 10th grade. Her mother announces that the evil ogre and herself are reconciling. Janice changes into street clothes and walks out calmly. She goes to the runaway shelter on West 41st Street called Covenant House. She is one of three white girls out of the [approximately] 150 girls there. She sleeps on a mat on the floor with her jacket on and gives away her cigarettes. She is no dummy. FACT: Janice feels great. Scared, but great. FACT: Janice’s mother is a bitch. FACT: Janice had warned her mother that in the event of a reconciliation, she would haul ass out of there. FACT: Janice’s mother insisted that the evil ogre was not coming back up until the day before she told the truth. FACT: Janice would like to kill her mother, because her mother said, “Yes, I knew if I took Dick back you’d run away,” but she did it anyway. FACT: I feel like crying right now. “The fifth-floor lounge was crowded.”

Group home bedroom, 1985 “My friend Domenic’s in love with you,” said Genie.

HS for the Humanities, 1986 “Nothing was going to distract me as much as a new boyfriend.”

From the high school newspaper, 1985 “…the skateboard-thwacking party kings…”

Group home, July 2, 1985 red eyes strikes again–notice the chain–so take the damn photo already. I love you, Eric. JULY 2 – HEIDI’S ROOM “We should get married.”

August 28, 1985 August 28, I remember when I loved my mother. She wasn’t always this crazy. She used to realize her mistakes and be sorry – oh god now she’s so sick. She will never permanently split with Dick. Tomorrow I turn 16 years old. Big deal. So where am I now. I hate my mother (everyone hates their mother.), I hate my boyfriend (now that’s original), I hate my life. God I’m depressing! JANICE BABY “I knew something was wrong when my mother didn’t call.”

Central Park, summer 1985   “In summer, Sheep Meadow shared duty with Washington Square Park as the social nexus of the high school universe.”

  August 1986 17 Worked 3-7 – Dick assaulted Mom – went to Poe’s for Mike G’s b-day – ran into Noel on train –  drank + got sick – Suzanna was there – got home 15 m. late 18 Spring came over, went to Soho Sk – Ch. took us to UB40 we got separated – stood w/Ch. then to park – called me his girlfriend – got home 12:00 – concert was excellent 24 Lunch w/Mom – Meadow – Stana’s – park – met Christian at W. Beth – home 25 Slept late – to St.’ w/Zoe + Noel – Thumper – to park – blow – saw Adam + Josh + John – talked with Ch. – home at 12:30

“…Evan’s spartan, all-white apartment in Battery City…” “…smirking at him from the backseat of a cab…”

Commack Motor Inn, 1987 “The blizzard hadn’t passed. It was just starting.”