介绍:
If you give me five dollars, I will be your friend forever. That’s what the little one tells me.
She is trying to get somebody to chip in so that they can buy a bicycle from a kid named Tito. They already have ten dollars and all they need is five more.
Don’t talk to them, says Cathy. Can’t you see they smell like a broom?
But I like them. Their clothes are crooked and old. They are wearing shiny Sunday shoes without socks. It makes their bald ankles all red, but I like them, especially the big one who laughs with all her teeth. I like her even though she lets the little one do all the talking.
Five dollars, says the little one, only five.
Cathy is tugging my arm and I know whatever I do next will make her mad forever.
Wait a minute, I say, and run inside to get the five dollars. I have three dollars saved and I take two of Nenny’s. She’s not home, but I’m sure she’ll be glad when she finds out we own a bike. When I get back, Cathy is gone like I knew she would be, but I don’t care. I have two new friends and a bike, too.
My name is Lucy, says the big one. This is my sister Rachel.
I’m her sister, says Rachel. Who are you?
And I wish my name was Cassandra or Alexis or Maritza — anything but Esperanza — but when I tell them my name, they don’t laugh.
We come from Texas, Lucy says and grins. Her was born here, but me I’m Texas.
You mean she, I say.
No, I’m from Texas, and she doesn’t get it.
This bike is three ways ours, says Rachel who is thinking ahead already. Mine today, Lucy’s tomorrow and yours day after.
But everybody wants to ride it today because the bike is new, so we decide to take turns after tomorrow. Today it belongs to all of us.
I don’t tell them about Nenny just yet. It’s too complicated. Especially since Rachel almost put out Lucy’s eye about who was going to get to ride it first. But finally we agree to ride it together. Why not?
Because Lucy has long legs, she pedals. I sit on the back seat and Rachel is skinny enough to get up on the handlebars, which makes the bike all wobble as if the wheels are noodles, but after a bit we get used to it.
