They ate them quickly because they still had to move thirty more bags.They ate them quickly because they still had to move thirty more bags. The next three hours passed slowly. It started to get cooler and darker as night approached. Finally Rabbit came over to him. It was just 9.30 pm. At same time the van pulled up outside the gate and the boys went over. Luis was driving and the other two boys were in the back. Rabbit started to get in the front seat next to Luis. "Git your ass in back, Rabbit. Rafael sits up here, okay?" Luis ordered. The boy nodded meekly and backed out, raising his eyebrows at Rafael. Once inside the van Luis turned around, "Well?" he demanded. "All but three man," Rabbit grinned. I got most for eighty but one fucker wanted four at seventy-five each so I cut a deal." he said as he passed over the three remaining bags and a roll of money. "He's got the rest," he added, pointing to Rafael. "You done good. Real good. He work out okay?" Luis asked. "Yeah, he done great. Cops came by and told some kids off. He waited it out, most guys would'a beeped." Rabbit grinned. Rafael was glad he'd waited. Luis smiled at him and the boy felt very proud as he handed over the roll of money. There weren't many successes in living at Centerville. His schoolwork sucked. Rafael was ten years old and he could barely read. The teachers at the nearby school had no time for the boys from the 'Plantation'. He wasn't dumb, he just wasn't interested. After a few minutes on the road, Rafael turned to Luis. The young man looked away from the road and smiled at the boy. Rafael returned the smile. For the first time in many years he felt proud, even though he knew that what he had done that evening was bad, no worse, it was illegal. He looked away, staring out the window as the van moved forward and watched the passing lights of the other cars, the neon signs of shops, and the orange glow of the street lights. Then the boy felt Luis' fingers brush against his knee. It was a feathery touch that made a circle around and around his kneecap. He glanced sideways, aware that there were three boys in the back of the van but even more aware of the intense thrill that he felt. Luis was driving with just his left hand. His right hand moving gently on the boy's leg and as Rafael looked back at the man, the fingers slithered upward. |