Chapter One
Maggie and Ben make an odd-looking couple. He’s tall, well-built, handsome…in a rugged sort of way, with long, shiny, hair. Maggie is a short, plump, Latina, with thick, dark hair, and even thicker glasses. Ben is also two years older than Maggie…and looks it.
“Hey Darla, there’s that Latina chick, Maggie. She thinks she’s so fine, with her guy, Ben. He don’t really care for her. He’s just usin’ her.”
“You got that right, Winnie. That dude is a hunk. He is hot. And, did you see that fine motorcycle he rides? He don’t belong with her. He’s way too fine for her. That girl’s in for a fall. You dig?”
“Ain’t that the truth? She’s in trouble and don’t even know it.”
“Well, there’s the bell. I gotta get to class. See you later.”
“Later.”
* * *
“Oh, Ben. Can you believe it? We’re almost high school graduates. Aren’t you excited?”
“Yeah, Megs. I’m excited. I got about as much of school as I can take. I been here one more year than the rest of you. ‘Cept for my classes in auto mechanics, I don’t care for anything else I had to take. This place is like a prison. No more classes, no more tests, no more hangin’ out with small-town losers.”
“Who are you talking about — losers? Not us?”
“Course not, Megs. It’s them other people here. High school’s a real drag. It’s time to cut loose and party.”
“Oh Ben, let’s not talk about unhappy things. I love my courses, especially my English classes. I love reading. I get to travel all over the world, just by opening a book. Maybe someday I’ll be a teacher; an English teacher.” she says.
“Now, we have the prom to look forward to, and then, the rest of our lives.”
“You got that right, ‘Short-Cakes’…the rest of our lives.”
“Pick me up at seven.” says Maggie.
“I’ll be there. Hop on my bike and I’ll take you home. Hold on tight. We don’t want you falling off before the prom.”
I can’t believe it. I’m going to the prom with Ben DiGioria…the hottest guy in the school. Ben and me, together. I can become a teacher and Ben can be an auto mechanic. We can have children and a good life, together. Life is wonderful. This will be the best prom ever. I can feel it.
“Here you are, home, safe. Remember, I’ll pick you up at seven.”
* * *
“Maggie, your dress is here from the cleaners. You’ll be beautiful in it. Put it on and show your father and me how you look.”
“Thanks, mom. I’ll get dressed right now.”
“Miguel, when Maggie comes down and shows us her prom dress, you tell her she looks terrific. Do you hear me?”
“Right. Terrific.”
“Well, what do you think? How do I look?”
“You look out of this world, dear. Miguel, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah, she looks just fine.” says Miguel, not looking up from his paper.
“Miguel! Look up from the newspaper. Can’t you be a little more enthusiastic about your daughter’s prom dress?”
“Okay. Maggie, you look terrific. Will that do?”
Poppi, are you ever going to care about me? Can’t you be happy for me?
As usual, Miguel has nothing to say to Maggie. He may not have physically left home, but let there be no doubt he abandoned Maggie from birth. One glare from Miguel and Maggie knew to drop the subject.
“Oh, Miguel, you’re such a party-pooper. Never mind your father, Maggie, I think you look terrific. Now, who are you going with to the prom?”
“You both know very well who I’m going with. It’s Ben. “
“Are you sure, dear? Ben is so much older than you and I don’t want you to be hurt.”
“Stop worrying, Mom. Ben and I have a special relationship. You’ll see.”
“Maggie, I love you, but I worry about you. You’re the first in our family to graduate from high school. With your good grades, you could be the first to go to college, too.
Do you know what that means? You could be a professional — a teacher or a nurse or whatever you want. You would have respect and a good income. Maybe you would marry a doctor. You can have a better life than your father and I have. Don’t you want that?
This Ben, he’s too old for you and I don’t like his attitude. He’s not friendly. He reminds me of a ‘cholo’. Remember them, from the old neighborhood…gang members. You don’t want that. You’re a good girl. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I promise, Mom. Now stop worrying. I can take care of myself.”
