My first day back to school sucked. First of all, Rona Holmgren who is apparently Kit's kryptonite, has returned to Tucson.
I remember those blue grey eyes but not like Kit does. I remember her telling me in kindergarten, 'Hi Cryer'. She had no trouble letting me know she recalled my crying episodes in kindergarten.
I guess she can't be that bad right? I mean, unlike Maybelline Struther, she never used derogatory terms in reference to me. Plus, she wasn't being mean by calling me cryer as a kid. As I remembered it she just stated it like it was just a fact instead of an insult.
Point is, I'm not so sure about her. However, that wasn't even the whole reason why my first day back went sideways. Mack tapped my shoulder after I grabbed a bathroom pass from third period. I jumped as I didn't think anyone was behind me. "Mack?! What's..."
"It's one of the freshman, Kat. Get your first aid." I ran to my locker and grabbed my first aid box before following Mack.
Mack was leading me towards the back of the school where a body was slumped near the back dumpster. "Nando!" I yelled as I ran up to my battered cousin.
"Katrina," he whispered.
Right as Mack asked, "You know him?"
"Yes. He's my cousin." As I started assessing the split skin near his eyebrow and blood pouring out of his nose, I shook my head at him before turning to look at Mack. "Mack, I've got it from here. Could you tell Miss Hyer that I won't be returning to math class? Thank you."
I didn't start speaking in Spanish till the back door clicked shut. "Nando, what happened?"
Hernando winced at the alcohol doused in cotton as I started dabbing near his eyebrow. What happened was some kids from South Tucson as well ganged up on him. Apparently, the beating was a warning and a message for El Leon. What those gangbangers didn't know is that Hernando isn't officially a member yet.
After I had time to let the words sink in, I touched my cousins nose. "Are you able to breathe, okay?"
"Not really. Every breath I take through my nose stings." I frowned as I wasn't sure what that meant. Only, that it didn't sound like a good sign. I helped Hernando up, letting him steady himself against the dumpster for a moment. "What are you to these gringos. The school nurse or something?"
"Just a volunteer, but guess what? You're going to meet a friend of mine called Nurse Petaski. Come on, Nando."
Nurse Petaski wasn't too happy to hear that I skipped the rest of math class, but as her assistant sometimes it couldn't be helped. Hernando wasn't the only casualty that day. Just the worse. I didn't miss anymore classtime with the other patients because it was just standard scrapes and paper cuts. Nothing some antibiotic cream and a band aid couldn't fix.
Today had turned out to be a very busy day for accidents. I'm going to have to ask Nurse Petaski for more antibiotic cream packets. I'll do that tomorrow.
"Katrina, try to keep your head from moving. This volume and a light trim won't look the way you want it to otherwise," said Flora. I looked straight at myself in the mirror, seeing what the rest of the world must see. My dark Colombian tan, plain brown eyes, and dark brown hair.
"Katrina, is it true that Hernando was sent back home early today?" asks my mom as she's looking at pictures from a hair magazine. Just like Kit does sometimes, she seems completely disinterested. When in truth, she's all ears.
"Yes. He got sent home and was told to go to the hospital for his broken nose. Did he go?"
Mom slapped the magazine on the chair near hers as she said, "No, Nando didn't go. You know that my sister doesn't have insurance. Nando called me at work and I had to leave early and be the one to bring him to the emergency room!"
"Why does it sound like you're mad at me, mom?" Flora and I share a look of acute alarm in the mirror.
"Because, you were supposed to look out for him." I sighed as I remembered the promise I gave to Hernando: that I wouldn't tell Mama about El Leon wanting to recruit him. That Hernando would spill the beans himself while I just had to act surprised. "What happened?"
Flora moved her scissors away from my hair so I could talk with my mom. "Mama, these things just happen. Kids get beaten up all of the time and Hernando isn't one to snitch. I asked him to tell me who it was and he didn't want to. Is he okay now?"
I haven't seen Hernando since he said he'd call his mom...when he actually meant MY mom...to pick him up.
"Yes, he is. He had some nose surgery done, but I don't even want to think about the emergency bill." My shoulders slump as I think about Hernando undergoing surgery while his mom was drugged out of her mind.
Flora starts on my hair again as she says, "Poor Nando. When will his nose heal?"
"The doctor said in two weeks he should be okay," replied mom.
I glance at Flora in the mirror as I said, "Well, since he has to heal his nose...I don't think he'll be a great running partner. Flora?"
"Mmmm?" she asks me as she starts to comb my still damp hair.
"I was wondering if one of your daughters would like to run with me in the morning." I jerk my head away from her comb so I'm looking right at her. "I think it would help keep them busy. That way they're not bored."
Flora laughs as she replies, "How can my daughter's be bored. They follow you all of the time, Katrina." Just as she says that a sleek red car drives by her place. Members of El Leon always cruise by in sleek red cars...I guess that's why recruitment has been so popular for them. Who wouldn't want a shiny new car?
Flora's oldest daughter Mirabella, a middle schooler, speaks with one of El Leon's members as he rolls down his window to speak with her. He leans towards her and gives her a grin as he laughs at something she said to him.
"Sorry, I'll be back," replies Flora as she walks out. The moment she walks out, the bright red shiny car drives away. She yells at her oldest daughter in a flurry of colorful Spanish words in reference to the El Leon members.
Mirabella stands up straight as she says, "He was just asking me how school was mama!"
"That's how it always starts. First it's about school, then it's about your sisters, and finally your led to a dark alley somewhere and officially become his pet!" I understand why Flora is flipping out. Mirabella is the most...developed middle schooler I've ever seen...no wonder she caught the eye of an El Leon member. She's built older than she is.
Mirabella was about to yell back when she notices I'm in one of her mom's salon chairs. "Oh! Hi Katrina! How are you? I heard what happened to Hernando. Is he alright?"
She was back to being one of the little ducklings that follows me everywhere. "Hernando is fine and me too. I was just talking with your mom that because Hernando got injured at school, I lost my running partner in the morning. I was wondering if you would like to run with me."
Mirabella's light brown eyes widened. "Really?! Can I mama?"
As Flora glances at me, I gave a small nod towards the door she just came from. "Sure Bonita, you should ask your sisters if they want to run with Katrina too. Go on."
Mirabella sprints past out the door as she runs next door to where they live. Flora sighs as she says, "If running will help my girls stay away from El Leon, then I can sleep better at night."
I smile at her before looking at myself in the mirror again, hopefully hiding the truth I know...that Hernando is digging a hole for his grave.