Kapitel 12: Once
School just ended, leaving me with a headache. I hoped Kit was serious when he said we could work on homework. I'd like to get ahead of the pile I have right now.
My backpack weighs me down as Kit, Hernando, and I board the late bus. Kit finished Debate and I was helping Hernando with some of his homework. Hernando understood none of it as I tried to at least help him make sense of his essay assignment. At least we got through the first two paragraphs of the essay assignment.
As for Hernando's math, I was drawing pictures and trying to turn the formulas into a story. It was how my mom helped me with my math homework before she agreed with me that the math became difficult after elementary school.
The bus rolls away from the front curb of the school. Filled with students who stayed after school for their extracurriculars. Mack was sitting right up front behind the bus driver.
"Hi Mack," I reply with a wave. Mack waves back at me but gives Kit an appraising look.
"Hey," Kit quickly says as we sit in the back. Hernando sits in the seat by the aisle, but he's not disappointed. Especially when he's sitting next to a shy and studious cheerleader.
Kit notices who Hernando is sitting next to. "Trella won't give him the time of day if that's what your cousin is hoping for."
"Don't be too sure. If there's one trait Nando has going for him, it's persistence." Like not giving up on his dream of being a member of El Leon. He's starting to play basketball with the members closest to his age almost everyday now.
I also found out the name of the El Leon member who won't stop leaving Mirabella alone: Ernesto. She told me this in confidence on our run this morning. The way she talks about him are how most girls gush about celebrities. And I guess he's kind of a big deal. From what Hernando's told me, Ernesto is right hand man for the leader of El Leon.
He's already got a rap sheet. Hernando heard the other people tell stories about him. Of how he gutted a rival gangster in the stomach so viciously that blood and guts were dripping from Ernesto's hand; of how Ernesto has a knack for taking unsuspecting tourists wheels from their rental cars, leaving them stranded in South Tucson; and let's not forget the fact he's already got two baby Mama's and he's eighteen years old. Worst part is Ernesto is such a snake that he has yet to be captured for his crimes.
None of this seems to bother Mirabella. She doesn't even mind if that Ernesto has other children. "I love children, and I think I'd be a great step mom," was her answer.
"Kat?" asks Kit as he nudges my shoulder with his. "What's eatin' you?"
I shrug and tell him, "There's a young girl in my neighborhood. She's thirteen and there's an eighteen year old in the neighborhood who gives her his undivided attention." As I tell Kit this, Hernando looks at me with worry. "She's confided in me that she doesn't mind his advances and likes the attention. It's just bothersome to me."
"You can tell her what I know," replies Kit.
"What do you know?"
"That eighteen is the age of consent in Arizona. He tries to make the moves on her it's considered statuatory rape." I don't tell Kit what else Mirabella tells me. That one of Ernesto's baby Mama's had her baby when she was fourteen.
"I don't know if that will convince her, Kit. She seems pretty adamant that he's a nice guy." Kit raises his eyebrows at me.
"Do you want me to talk to her? I can, you know. Just cause in my opinion, if he's such a nice guy then he can wait." Kit looks just as troubled about what I just told him as I feel.
Still, in my neighborhood of South Tucson it's just how things are. Girls have babies, babies join gangs, and gangsters die.
The smart ones try to get out of South Tucson. I intend to be one of those smart ones. "It's not necessary, Kit. I just need to find out what her strengths are and help encourage her to...to see another way."
"Well Kat, this girl is lucky to have you to confide in." He looks directly at me as he adds, "However, don't forget my offer. I can still talk to her, you know."
"I know and the moment I feel like I'm stuck I'll introduce you to her. Not a moment before."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein