Razor blade on the floor.
Frank asleep.
Asleep?
“I h-a-t” carved in his arm.
No “e.”
No “y-o-u.”
Blood on his bed,
On his floor,
On his arm.
Son! cries Tata.
Dr. Johnson plays doctor.
What’s wrong? we ask.
What’s wrong? we cry.
Call 911.
The ambulance from Talofofo arrives
and carries Frank away.
Tata and Dr. Johnson follow.
We stare at the road
even after the ambulance and truck disappear.
Now who is going to eat
besides the flies
circling the fiesta table?

Who Knew?

Everyone waits by the phone. Olivia won’t leave my side. And Auntie Minerva keeps making the sign of the cross and asks me questions. “Isabel, did you know about the words on the wall? Did you know about the scars? Did you tell your father?”

Did you?

Did you?

Did you?

I say nothing. Finally Auntie Bernadette says, “Minerva, shut up!”

And for one tiny fleeting moment, I feel good.

Time

The procession for San Dimas will start at dusk, but we won’t go. We wait for Tata to return with news about Frank. Mary Kelly and her mother left an hour ago. They left their pink cupcakes behind. Before leaving, Mrs. Johnson grabbed my arm and said, “If you need to talk, call me.”

Mary Kelly whispered, “I’m so sorry,” then closed the door. I wanted to open the door and run behind them. Take me with you.

Later, Teresita drops by and puts her arm around my shoulders. She’s never done that before.

“Why aren’t you at the church?” I ask her. “The procession will start soon.”

“It’s a two-block walk around the village.”

“But everyone will want another look at the queen.”

She lifts her left eyebrow and rolls her eyes. A few hours ago I wanted to ask her why she acted so silly when she was crowned. It was a big deal then. Now it means nothing. The pageant seems like a year ago. How can time do that? One moment flies by so quickly. Another moment stands still.

Bleach

Auntie Bernadette throws Frank’s sheets away, but the blood leaves a red spot on the mattress. “Isabel,” Auntie says, “help me get this mattress outside.”

Teresita, Auntie, and I drag the mattress into the backyard, not the front, where everyone can see our shame. Auntie Bernadette scrubs the spot with bleach and water. Red fades to pink.

She sighs and throws down the sponge. “It’s too late.”

Too late for what? Too late for the mattress or too late for Frank?

Clean State

Tata comes home with a Kmart sack and a pail of paint that matches the color of Frank’s walls. He looks our way, not saying a word. And when he sees Teresita, he frowns at me. He probably thinks our shame should stay inside our house, not seep into the village.

Olivia rushes up to Tata. “Where’s Frank?”

Tata doesn’t turn around. “Go play.” He disappears into Frank’s room.

Auntie Bernadette motions Olivia over and holds her close.