BooksBarbecue
Back American Son Save as PDF
Chapters (23)
  1. Cover
  2. AMERICAN SON
  3. AMERICAN SON
  4. Dedication
  5. Copyright
  6. Contents
  7. AMERICAN SON
  8. PART ONE
  9. Balikbayan
  10. Chapter One
  11. Chapter Two
  12. PART TWO
  13. AMERICAN SON
  14. Chapter One
  15. Chapter Two
  16. Chapter Three
  17. PART THREE
  18. A Dirty Penance
  19. Chapter One
  20. Chapter Two
  21. Chapter Three
  22. Chapter Four
  23. Acknowledgements

He looks aside and shudders a deep breath. His shirt grows at his chest and his biceps expand outward, to make room, then fall alongside his ribs again. The man studies him for a long time. He finds a checkbook and writes Tomas a check and takes Johan’s leash. After rubbing him, he looks at Buster and shakes his head. He dwells on her for a very long time.

I’m sorry. I can understand she’s your pet. But if you ever change your mind about this dog, we can deal. I assure you she’d have a good home with her son. You call us. You call me.

Sure, Tomas says, pocketing the check.

On our way down the steps he wipes a shoulder against his eyes. It could be the wind—I am not sure—but I am so surprised that without thinking I blurt out, Are you crying?

His knuckles hit me hard, so fast I didn’t see it coming. My tongue prods at the shreds of my inner cheek, and salty blood floods my mouth.

Jesus, I say, why’d you do that?

Then his fist comes into my gut, sending me forward at the waist, then his elbow comes around the sharp bone of it, sending me sideways onto the driveway, the concrete meeting my temple. The surface feels grainy against my cheek and the torn pieces inside stick to my molars.

Don’t you fucking talk disrespect to me.

I wasn’t disrespecting you.

Don’t you overstand me with your Flip, peasant Spanish.

I was only answering the lady’s questions, I start to say, but am interrupted by the bottom of his shoe, the gum and sole and dirt pressing into that part of my face where I feel things the most.

PART TWO

Dear Ika,

Thank you for your letter of June 27th. We appreciate your prayers, and certainly your boys will be included in our prayers also. Here in Forbes Park life has been taxing but fulfilling. I am preoccupied with duties at the Polo Club and as Eucharist minister at the church, and Millie has been busy herself in redecorating our house in preparation for Malaya’s graduation party. It has been not two weeks since Julita’s graduation from Ateneo and Millie is very tired. Yet it is so nice to have two daughters earning their degrees at this same time. We are very proud that Malaya will have this master’s degree, and from Harvard!