with everything we’re doing here, but, I’m hoping that in time you’ll come around. You’ll see the good in it. There’s more to it. Stuff you haven’t seen. That we haven’t talked about. I think, if given the chance, it’d really make you look at it from a different perspective, you know?”
“ So, why don’t you tell me now? Let me decide?”
He shakes his head. “Can’t do it just yet. We’ve got a few things to work out first.”
“What? Like getting it online? Then what? I don’t really have a choice then do I? Whether I like it or not, what’s done is done.”
“I know you want to get your ma back, I feel you on that. We’re going to get her back for you...”
“Then don’t put that shit online, give me the drive , let me get her back...”
“I can’t. It’ s out of the question. Give me some time. I’ll explain everything after we do this run, I promise you. I think once we explain everything to you, then you’ll understand.”
I exhale hard. I want to keep sparring.
Priorities, Tim. Priorities.
“ Alright, man, whatever. Let’s get the supplies.” And then I’m taking what I need and getting the fuck out of here .
I reach for the door handle.
Ruiz jogs around the table and claps a hand down on my shoulder. “One more thing, kid.”
Damn it!
“I see that you and Katia are getting pretty close.” His grip is firm. Not violent, but, insistent.
I let go of the handle and he lets go of me. “Yeah, we...uh, well, we’re just, you know, getting to know each other, she’s a great girl.”
He wraps a hand around the back of my neck and lays his forehead against mine. “Chill homie, chill. Like I said, we’re family. You treat my little sister right, we got no problem.”
His breath is hot against my face. I don’t believe I’ve ever been this close to another man, barring my dad of course. “Yeah, sure...well, cool. I’ll treat her right.”
“That’s good, Tim. That’s good.” He slides his hand down to my shoulder. “Cause, if you don’t, I’ll cut your fucking head off.”
13
Dinner is fried Spam and powdered mashed potatoes.
I grab a clear plastic plate from a counter in the clubhouse and work my way through the line. Francisco is still behind the spatula. He recognizes me, I think. He slaps my plate full with both courses and then urges me on with a jerk of his head. There’s an older woman serving water in small paper cups. She’s much kinder. Much more inviting. The, sit down and stay awhile, type.
“Would you like an ice cube, dear?” She’s missing most of her front teeth on the top and the bottom, but she smiles none the less, big and genuine.
“No ma’am, I’ll take it as is.”
She holds the cup out shakily . “Such a well-mannered young man.”
“Blame my momma,” I say, accepting the cup from her.
She makes a noise that sounds like approval and then turns her attention to the gal behind me.
Outside, members of the community surround the pool. They sit in circles on the pavement, spread out across the lounge chairs and beneath the shroud of the picnic tables outfitted with folding umbrellas. The dull hum of conversation fills the air. I spot Katia and Bethany sitting together near the attached hot tub at the southern end of the pool. They signal for me. I weave my way towards them, dodging elbows, shoulders, and rambunctious kids running laps around the perimeter of the pool. They laugh and swing at one another as they pass me. I lift my plate and drink to avoid making contact with their heads.
“Took you long enough,” Bethany says, scooting out to make room for me.
“That line,” I cross my legs and drop down between them, balancing my plate across the top of my right thigh, “is it always like this?”
Katia nods. “Yeah, keeps the people together. Gives everyone a sense of family.” She finishes off a final forkful of potato and sets her plate aside. “It’s good for morale. Breakfast and lunch, we
“ So, why don’t you tell me now? Let me decide?”
He shakes his head. “Can’t do it just yet. We’ve got a few things to work out first.”
“What? Like getting it online? Then what? I don’t really have a choice then do I? Whether I like it or not, what’s done is done.”
“I know you want to get your ma back, I feel you on that. We’re going to get her back for you...”
“Then don’t put that shit online, give me the drive , let me get her back...”
“I can’t. It’ s out of the question. Give me some time. I’ll explain everything after we do this run, I promise you. I think once we explain everything to you, then you’ll understand.”
I exhale hard. I want to keep sparring.
Priorities, Tim. Priorities.
“ Alright, man, whatever. Let’s get the supplies.” And then I’m taking what I need and getting the fuck out of here .
I reach for the door handle.
Ruiz jogs around the table and claps a hand down on my shoulder. “One more thing, kid.”
Damn it!
“I see that you and Katia are getting pretty close.” His grip is firm. Not violent, but, insistent.
I let go of the handle and he lets go of me. “Yeah, we...uh, well, we’re just, you know, getting to know each other, she’s a great girl.”
He wraps a hand around the back of my neck and lays his forehead against mine. “Chill homie, chill. Like I said, we’re family. You treat my little sister right, we got no problem.”
His breath is hot against my face. I don’t believe I’ve ever been this close to another man, barring my dad of course. “Yeah, sure...well, cool. I’ll treat her right.”
“That’s good, Tim. That’s good.” He slides his hand down to my shoulder. “Cause, if you don’t, I’ll cut your fucking head off.”
13
Dinner is fried Spam and powdered mashed potatoes.
I grab a clear plastic plate from a counter in the clubhouse and work my way through the line. Francisco is still behind the spatula. He recognizes me, I think. He slaps my plate full with both courses and then urges me on with a jerk of his head. There’s an older woman serving water in small paper cups. She’s much kinder. Much more inviting. The, sit down and stay awhile, type.
“Would you like an ice cube, dear?” She’s missing most of her front teeth on the top and the bottom, but she smiles none the less, big and genuine.
“No ma’am, I’ll take it as is.”
She holds the cup out shakily . “Such a well-mannered young man.”
“Blame my momma,” I say, accepting the cup from her.
She makes a noise that sounds like approval and then turns her attention to the gal behind me.
Outside, members of the community surround the pool. They sit in circles on the pavement, spread out across the lounge chairs and beneath the shroud of the picnic tables outfitted with folding umbrellas. The dull hum of conversation fills the air. I spot Katia and Bethany sitting together near the attached hot tub at the southern end of the pool. They signal for me. I weave my way towards them, dodging elbows, shoulders, and rambunctious kids running laps around the perimeter of the pool. They laugh and swing at one another as they pass me. I lift my plate and drink to avoid making contact with their heads.
“Took you long enough,” Bethany says, scooting out to make room for me.
“That line,” I cross my legs and drop down between them, balancing my plate across the top of my right thigh, “is it always like this?”
Katia nods. “Yeah, keeps the people together. Gives everyone a sense of family.” She finishes off a final forkful of potato and sets her plate aside. “It’s good for morale. Breakfast and lunch, we
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