章節 24: Veintitres
Ever since Kit went on his first date with Rona three weeks ago, he's been running everywhere he went. We might sit together on the bus like we normally do, but his head always seems to be somewhere else.
Today, is no different. "Kit?"
"Hmm?"
"I just asked if you know what you're wearing on Halloween this year? I know it's still a month away, but...."
"Oh? I didn't think about it."
I raise my eyebrow at him. "You forgot your favorite holiday is coming up?" Halloween being Kit's favorite holiday is an understatement. There hasn't been a year when he doesn't dress up. Some years the costumes were scary, others funny, and only one time did it almost not look like a Halloween costume...when he dressed up as Napoleon Dynamite in sixth grade.
He also still does trick or treating. I know this because after Halloween (or after the weekend, depending what day Halloween was that year), he always hands me and Rhett big bags of candy to share the goods.
I'm about to point out it's his favorite holiday when he gives me a guilty look. "I'm sorry Kat, but I really did forget. This month just flew on by and between schoolwork, family dinners, and hanging out with Ro, I didn't have time to think of much else." Family dinners is what he calls his Al-Anon meetings. He told me how there are two kids around our age in those meetings. Ones a girl who started drinking at twelve because her grandparents didn't lock the liquor cabinet and a teen boy who was there in support of his dad.
Kit said the kids around our age weren't very talkative like himself, but he hopes they'll be able to talk better soon. It surprised me that there were teens who wasn't immediately drawn to Kit's friendly demeanor and natural charm. Even Stoner Sal seems taken by Kit and she's the type who dislikes everybody.
Well, almost everybody. Her and Hernando have gotten chummy as of late. Part of me wishes they were chummier though....at least enough to distract Hernando away from El Leon. According to my cousin Madeline when we were walking together outside one day, the leader Alejandro visited Hernando's home to meet him.
Alejandro gave Hernando's mom a gift (if you count more heroin as a gift) and spoke with Hernando for a bit. Hernando told me it felt like a job interview. Except of course, it wasn't for a job but for entry in a gang. Still, Alejandro told Hernando that he thinks he's not ready. So while my cousin was devastated, I was cheering in my head.
Of course, it didn't stop Hernando from saying, "It's a no now, but it won't be later." Which is why I hope Stoner Sal becomes more of a distraction for my cousin down the line. To help keep him out of trouble. Well, kind of...since she is Stoner Sal and all.
When my stop came, I'm the first person from my neighborhood to stand up. I glance at Kit and smile at him. "See you later?"
"Okay," he replies with his 100 Watt smile. His eyes are still glazed over in thought though.
I'm going to leave with my cousin off of the bus because it's not like my best friend is going to snap out of it anytime soon. I've never seen Kit act this distracted before. Usually I'm the one who tends to zone out.
Hernando and I walk together in companionable silence. Keeping our eyes peeled for the dangers of our neighborhood. As we go our separate ways we wave to each other goodbye and everything just feels right in our world for a second.
However, I open the front door with my home key and felt the house silent. I drop my backpack hear the front door and run for the kitchen. Mom and I leave notes for each other on the fridge. I sigh as I read the note mom left behind, probably during her lunch hour: I'll be at a work event tonight. Burger is in the microwave for you.
As I open the microwave, I pull out an envelope I know is filled with money. Burger is code for money. My mom and I came up with it when I was ten and she was promoted to be the top Clerk in the Mayor's office. Which requires her to tag along on some city events. Well, I guess that means I can be a little unhealthy and order some pizza.
"Hello? Hi my name is Kat and I'd like to order a meatlovers pizza? Mmm-hmm." I rattle off my home address and tell them I'll pay the deliverer in cash before hanging up the phone. Then, I pick up my backpack from near the front door and bring my workload to my room.
This is the first time in three weeks I didn't have to take the late bus. There were no sport games scheduled so they didn't need Nurse Petaski or me to stick around. Which is great. So I can do some research for a history project that's due next week. I have to ask my mom if we can shop for some stationary. I need to make up a poster with a timeline and designs. I'll make the best stick figures my class has hopefully ever seen.
We were supposed to pick an Ancient Civilization and I chose Incas. Not because I knew anything about it but because it sounds interesting. Why do I pick interesting civilizations instead of an easier one like everyone else tries to do! I know tons about Ancient Greece more than any civilization started on the Americas continent.
BANG! BANG!
Well, the pizzaman is faster than I was expecting.
BANG! BANG!
Running down the stairs, I open the door but still keep the chain on the door. I don't see a pizza deliveryman with a pizza. Instead, I see Hernando and a guy I don't know holding an injured person between them. "Kat, open the door!" pleads Hernando in rushed Spanish.
I do as he says and am gasping at the sight of gushing blood from the injured man's leg. I am stirred into action as I push off everything from the coffeetable and say, "Nando, bring him over here. I'm going to get my bleeding kit."
Before I know it, I tune everybody out. My sole focus is to:
1. Get the bullet out of the injured man's leg and
2. Stop the arterial bleeding enough for him to go to the ER.
When my two tasks are complete, I take a deep breath and say to Nando, "Somebody still has to bring him to the hospital." Glancing at Hernando I ask, "Is he a friend of yours?"
Instead of him answering, the other person I've never met does. "He's Alejandro from El Leon." My eyes widen as I look at the injured man I just helped stop the bleeding for. For one, he looks too young to be a gang leader. He's probably still an adult but, a young one.
"You brought a member of El Leon to my home, Nando?" I ask him calmly. He's about to answer, but I shake my head and look at the other man I guess who's an El Leon member. "Please, bring him to the ER. I did all I could to stop the bleeding but I'm not yet a medical professional. It's better they see Alejandro before he passes out too."
Without further words said, the other man and Hernando, help bring Alejandro outside again, where there's a running car waiting. Hernando helps put Alejandro in and gets in the car with them. My head shakes at the sight on it's own, without my urging. I hope I never see Alejandro again.
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