Black Alley by Mauricio Segura Read Free Book Online Page B

still remembers like yesterday, even though it’s been six years now, he was struck by the fact that she had an unusual look for a Latina. Her light brown hair was always pulled up in a ponytail, her face was delicate with slightly dark skin, and she always looked slender, athletic. With one hand on her hip, she’s rocking back and forth on her Adidas, looking mischevious.
    â€œSo, the fighting’s going to start up again?”
    For an instant, he examines her. She surprises him.
    â€œDon’t worry about it. What I told you still stands: at the end of the school year, I’m done with the gang. Tomorrow, we’ll straighten this whole thing out rápido . It has to be a mistake.”
    He’s annoyed with himself for lying: tomorrow, he won’t forgive them for anything. He has no choice, he must be respected, keep them from starting up again. Besides, he can’t lose face among the members of his own gang. He knows very well they were shocked when they saw Pato and Alfonso’s faces. To disguise his uneasiness, he takes a drag off his cigarette.
    â€œI saw how you reacted when you saw the condor,” she goes on.
    He turns his head towards her and slowly lowers it a notch, to indicate she should talk in a lower voice.
    â€œI’ll tell you about it when we’re alone. Not now.”
    She shakes her head, “It’s always the same with you guys. It’s always about honour and courage.”

    â€œI’ll tell you about it when we’re alone,” he repeats in a low voice.
    After a little while, as if she’s agreed to change the subject, she takes him by the waist with a little smile, then, with a roaming hand, tousles his hair. He takes one last drag off his cigarette and then sends it flying onto the roadway, near the open space. He still isn’t completely used to the idea that he can kiss her whenever he wants. Sometimes, when he’s walking down the street, he stops suddenly: he can’t believe he’s going out with her. She puts her arms around his neck, then strokes his face. She, his childhood friend, the only girl he ever dared flirt with, the only girl he can’t think about when he masturbates because he immediately feels like he has to piss. It’s so new it feels like he’s dreaming. It was like a revelation. He’d invited her to the park, and, just like that, point blank, he’d declared his love for her. Calmly sitting on a bench, she replied that she, too, had been trying to get him off her mind for a long time, afraid that he thought of her just as a friend. But she hadn’t had any luck. A long kiss followed, it wasn’t feverish like he’d imagined it. Yes, it was the first time he’d fallen in love. Today, compared to her, all the girls he’d known seemed unimportant. He looks into her sparkling eyes, and she licks her lips: “The other day you where asking me when. . . .”
    For a moment, their eyes meet.
    â€œI think it’s time.”
    Now it’s his turn to slip his arms around her: is she sure? With her high cheekbones, she offers him a radiant smile: she’s never been so sure of anything in her life. Good, Flaco brings his face close to hers, whenever she wants. Nervously they laugh, then suddenly Paulina’s face becomes serious, almost fearful: he knows it’s the first time she’s going to make love, right? He says yes, he knows. Does it make her nervous? No, not really, she feels so good when she’s with him, Flaco. He presses his lips against hers and feels a warm tongue slip between his teeth.

    Weekdays, before supper, you’d play hockey in the entrance to your building’s garage, for an hour or two, never more: when October came, the darkness fell early in the evening and then the goalie couldn’t see the tennis ball anymore. You were already wearing wool sweaters and mittens and sometimes a toque, but no coats or scarves yet. Then your