(EUGENE) He staggers toward the house and as soon as he gets inside, I break down crying. Wyce puts his arm around me. (WYCE) “Man, I told you? Didn’t I tell you–didn’t I tell you that he was jealous? He made you feel guilty cause you’re light. He wishes he were light–IT’S KILLING HIM–HIS BEING DARK–HE HATES HIS DARK SKIN AND BECAUSE OF IT HATES YOU–AND ON TOP OF THAT, HE TOUCHES ALMA THAT WAY? MAN WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?” (Pause) (EUGENE) His words rip through me/I break a glass. (WYCE) “Hey man, I understand. I understand how you feel. He’s your father. I understand wanting your father’s love but why would your father touch your girl like that? Why would a father want to humiliate his own son?” (EUGENE) I look at him–bourbon racing in my head. I look down at my hands. The bourbon has gone from my head to my fists. How’d that happen? How did my fists get balled? (WYCE) “Look, man I gotta go but remember what I’m saying. Father or no father–don’t let anybody play you for a punk.” (EUGENE) I watch him leave.