"It was probably just an animal, sir." The officer says. "Are you sure?" Father asks. "Yes, sir you do understand in America that common stuff like this happens all the time. I understand that in Mexico it maybe different." "Perra." I whisper. "What did you say to me?" The officer demands. "That's Spanish for a beauty. She was complimenting you." My dad smiles at me. "Isn't that right?" I shake my head yes. "You see" says my father "my daughter is a perra too. Well thank you. We will be alright now. Goodbye and thanks again." The officer gets in his car and drives away. Tomas stars laughing and Emilio smiles. "Everyone inside now." Father growls. We all start for the door. He grabs my shoulder. "Not you, Camila. Don't you ever do that again, you hear? That was a stupid thing to do. Now go inside and wash your mouth out with soap." "Dad I'm 17. That's not going to work." "I don't care. Now go!" I run in the store as fast as possible. I head to the bathroom and stick a bar of soap in my mouth. I sit there for five minutes. "He's gone." Tomas says. I walk out and Emilio and Tomas applaud me. I give them a bow as they yell "ENCORE, ENCORE, ENCORE!" "Sorry gentlemen, but that's all I have time for." As I finish my sentence in walks Jake. I turn my head and begin stacking lettuce on one of the shelves."Camila. There you are! I've been looking for you." I just keep stacking and try to ignore him. "Hey listen." He says "Want to go see a movie after your shift is over." "No." "Why not? Is this about the other night? I'm sorry I didn't mean it. I had had 3 beers that night. Please forgive me. Please." "I don't know." "Please. I love you." "You what?" "I love you." I will admit this took me by surprise. No boy had ever said they loved me, except father and brothers. "Ok." "So you'll go with me to the movies?" "Yes." With that he got up and left. What I didn't know was this wasn't a normal go-to-the-movies date. This wasn't even close, but I didn't know then what I know now.
