Chapter 11

At that moment, a kid darted out from one of the dark shacks. A few shacks had electricity, but most didn’t. He wasn’t sure about water and sewer. There were some outhouses, he knew. He braked as the child circled the vehicle to his side. He rolled down the window. “What’s the matter, mi’jo?”

He used the familiar term, an abbreviation of mi hijoor my son. Most grandparents used that for the boys in their family.

“Mama, she won’ wake up. Me and Nita are hungry. Poppi went to town to the bar, and he busted mama’s phone. Said all she did was call the drug dealer on it.”

Perry swore under his breath. The situation was so typical. “Okay, let me see if I can get your mama to wake up. Ella esta boracho?”