He unbuttoned the sheath to his knife, stuck the shiny blade under the simmeringĪnna made to move, he slammed his hand over hers pinning it to the table. He looked at Anna, shook his head, walked around the table and sat Anna down. Was caked with blood, the crooked 18 stared at her father. His bare arms revealed the remains of unfinished tattoos. “Anna, come here.” She walked into the kitchen Anna walked homeĪlong the tracks that separated 18 th Street from Hazard, their biggest rival, every nowĪnd then Anna stepped onto Hazard ground to tempt worth.Īt home Father waited patiently for daughter to return. The tattoo-a crushed box kite, a fallen church, a wilting lily. Gloria raised Anna’s arm, the 18, etched crookedly between thumb and wrist, Of the needle, “Is that better?” Anna sat for an hour-drinking, sweating, her hand “You’re right mija,” grabbed a bottle of tequila took a gulp and spit on the end Gloria held the needle up to a bare light bulb. Of ink made from the blood of pigeons thickened with clay, and a thick grimy She sat her down at a table, took out her tools. They picked her up and walked to Gloria’s house to celebrate.Īnna’s face decorated with cuts and bruises. Veteranas stood at the far end with brass knuckles, mini Dodger bats, and chainsĭangling at their sides. Peewee gangsters in oversizedīen Davis and Dickies stood lined at the front-small fists clenched. She got it when she was jumped into 18 th Street. Grandma Lupe bail and a bus ticket to Mexico. His VCR, TV, and stereo used the money to post With a note that read, “Walk away.” They pawned On his walls piled his jewelry in the middle of his bed Shot his dog, broke his dishes, pissed their names Baron’s home-Ĭrossed out his family photos with a red marker, Him up, saved him from paying those doctor bills.” 45 in one hand, a ten-dollarīill in the other. Out of his left ass cheek his lips and eyelids full Till he turned, the gun’s blast blew him off the porchĪnd into her cactus garden face first-blood poured Showed her a twenty, slipped her a ten-she waited Once she shot a guy who tried some grifter move. Like crocheting needles, well oiled and loaded. She sold it from a large Hefty bag off the porch Worth and a two finger pinch is a nickel,” she said. She never bothered to weigh it, “My palm’s a dime’s She was also the largest dealer of marijuana in Colonia. Mama ran off with some biker-Noah, Jehovah, Went to daily mass, survived three marriages,ġ3 children, and raised four grand kids after their Grandma Lupe fed the poor at the mission,
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