Shocks

Yesterday Carlos was out here taking out his shocks from his black souped up low rider Honda. They look like humans I said. There's the legs and knees and the spring is the torso and head. Carlos laughed.

This is Emily she writes books, he said to Anthony. Isn't that cool? Everyone here knows how to fight but do they know how to write? He said.

I have a friend who never learned to read. I'd like to teach him. Reading saved my life.

Me too! Carols said.

I would take long walks and get lost, when I was as a child. Luckily I could read the maps.

in the Dominican Republic?
and also in NYC

One time I was walking for three hours, 17 miles. "I knocked on a person's door and say I apologize for bothering you, "I am lost, can you tell me where I am I need to get here. And they would take out the GPS and show me. I was not afraid," he said.

You have strength and wisdom inside you, I said.
Exactly.

We noticed the girl in building three was dressed up in skin tight jeans wild hair and stilettos. She was posing with her younger brother watching as she was taking selfies. Carlos and I were mesmerized. "OUCH" he said smiling
I know, I said.
She must be going somewhere, he said. Look at those legs, I like the shape!
A mile long, I said.
You should do stand up, he said.
That's funny, say that to all of my friends, I said.
Would you do it instead of being a writer? he asked.
It's practically the same thing. I already am a performer. I replied.

Carlos crushed his finger while trying to install the right front shock. "It's all my fault," I said joking. This is the joke we share that everything is my fault no matter what. I ran inside and got gauze and tape and alcohol and soap. He showed me the crushed nail covered in an oval bead of bright red blood. "I can't look, I'll faint," I said.

I invited him into my yard and we gathered around the garden hose and I ran the cold water on his finger. Anthony came back and joined us. "Hey new haircut; I love the shaved sides and full top. "My father did it."
Is he a barber, or just for fun?
Just for fun.
"Wow, I love it." Anthony is the cutest kid in the whole world and so is Carlos.