Delia's Crossing (Delia 1)

“Then shut up,” Sophia said. She glared at me. “You could at least speak up for yourself, Delia.”

“I do not want Ignacio to get into trouble,” I said. “It is not right.”

No one spoke. We all looked at the house and waited. Suddenly, we heard the sound of something being smashed against a wall. I flinched, and so did Delores.

“What was that?” she muttered.

There was shouting

and a girl’s scream. The shouting got louder, and there were more loud bangs. Moments later, we were all stunned to see Bradley Whitfield come flying through the front window naked. He hit the floor of the front deck of the house, shards of glass raining down after him. All was quiet a moment. Then came another shrill scream.

“Let’s get the hell out of here!” Delores cried.

Trudy started the car.

“Wow,” Sophia said. “I can’t believe it. Did you see that?”

Trudy shot away from the curb and sped down the street, nearly missing the turn. The wheels screamed, and we were all thrown to one side.

“Slow down!” Delores shouted.

Trudy did, and then we made another turn and headed into the busier street.

“I’m freaking out,” Trudy said. “He came through the window! Right through the window. Did you see how it shattered, too?”

“I didn’t see him get up,” Delores said. “I looked back after we pulled away, but I didn’t see him.”

“Forget about it,” Sophia said excitedly. “Remember, we didn’t see anything. We followed the Mexican boys for a while and then lost them because we got frightened and they drove too fast. We never saw anything, because we weren’t there, got it?”

“What about your cousin?” Delores asked, nodding at me.

Sophia turned to me and leaned over the front seat. “You understand, Delia? You don’t say anything about this. Silencio or whatever,” she said, gesturing to show her lips being zipped shut. “You weren’t here.”

“Jeez, don’t you know how to say anything in Spanish?” Alisha said, and turned to me. “No diga nada, Delia, entiende?”

“You’re such a big shot, Alisha,” Sophia said. “Honor student.”

“Delia, entiende?”

I looked away. I didn’t need the translation.

“She understands,” Alisha said.

“I don’t have to speak Spanish to make sure she does. Don’t worry,” Sophia said. “Let’s go to the Roadhouse. This has all made me hungry. I need a brownie sundae right away.”

“Really?” Trudy asked her.

“Yes, just go, go,” Sophia said.

“He came crashing through that window just like in the movies or something,” Delores said.

“Shut up about it, already,” Sophia said. “The more you talk about it, the more chance you’ll screw up and we’ll be accused of something.”

“She’s right,” Alisha said. “Let’s not talk about it, especially at the Roadhouse. Someone might overhear.”

“He got what he deserved,” Sophia added. “End of story.”

“Can you imagine the look on Jana’s face, though?” Trudy asked.