'I see him around school,' I said.
'Mrs. Lopez's husband is a busboy at the club, and he had to work nights too, so I would stay with Mrs. Lopez every night.'
'How was that?'
'She was great. She is great. She's like . . .'
Jeannie stopped and took a little breath.
'I love her,' she said.
'That's nice,' I said.
'She's like my other mom,' Jeannie said.
'Maybe that's why you turned out so good,' I said.
Jeannie nodded.
'You don't like my mom,' she said.
'I didn't say that.'
'But you don't,' Jeannie said. 'I know. Lotta people don't like her. She drinks a lot . . . and she's man crazy. I bet your father doesn't like her. Or your uncles.'
I shrugged.
'She's had a hard life,' Jeannie said. 'But she's my mom and I love her too.'
'Good,' I said.
One of the teachers announced over the sound system that this was the last dance. And to be sure when we left to take all of our stuff with us. No one would be permitted back in the school. And anyone who left anything would have to reclaim it at the principal's office in the morning.
Most of the kids danced the last dance. But we didn't. Jeannie wasn't finished talking.
She said, 'Aunt Octavia, that's what I call her, told me a bunch of kids beat Aurelio up.'
'What for?'
'For being Mexican,' she said. 'Said they called him names, you know, greaser, spick.'
'That's lousy,' I said.
'Mr. Lopez says he finds out who did it, he's gonna kill him.'
'You know Mr. Lopez?' I said.
'A little,' Jeannie said. 'He works all the time. Aunt Octavia says he's crazy mad. And she says a lot of Mexican kids are getting beat up like Aurelio.'
'For being Mexican?' I said.
'Yes.'
'Lopez seems like a nice enough kid,' I said.
'He is. He's not a jock or a tough guy or anything like you. But he's sweet. He's teaching me to play chess.'
'How's he feel about all this?' I said.
'He's afraid to come to school.'
I nodded.
