" Let's go." "Let's go, people." "Squeeze it up." "Squeeze it up." "Since we're neighbors, let's be friends, right?" "." "Come on, sweetheart." "Squeeze it up." "Hey, no radios." "Hey." "Read the sign?" "." " The fuck you doing?" "." " I know this dude." " So what?" "." " That's Jesse Rivera's dad, man." "Motherfucker's straight-up O.G. too," "like, serious." " Time to get off the bus, little homey." " And if I don't?" "." " That ain't really an option, is it?" "." " All right." "I'll play with you later, bus driver." " Yeah, I'll see you later." " What the fuck you looking at?" "." " What it doing, man?" "." " What's up?" "." " Hey, where you locos headed?" "." " Down to 24th to check out that little Filipino girl that works at McDonald's." "You with it?" "." " Nah, I got to go to the library." " Man, you study too damn hard." "You know that?" "." " Somebody's got to." " I'm gonna holla at you later, all right, man?" "." " All right, man." " What y'all doing this weekend?" "." " Shit, I'm taking it low and slow, you know." " The only thing I'm doing this weekend are my nails and my hair." " But your hair looks good." " Oh, that's why I love you, baby for your good taste." " Yeah, I'll check y'all on Monday, all right?" "." "Stay brown." " Can't do nothing but." " What's up?" "." "How you doing?" "." "What's up, Chuy?" "." " Hey." " Low and slow, man." "Yo, yo, yo." "Where the party people at?" "." " The party people are trying to finish so they can get out of here on time." " Tu hombre?" " Where else?" "." "Yes, I'm still holding." " I'll check you later, all right?" "." " Oh, no, you don't." "I want all the Juicy details." " About what?" "." "Your friend Donora?" "." " Yeah, I heard you guys got into it." " Pshh, that's because she was tripping." " Que paso?" " No, I tried to be a gentleman and hold the door for her." "She got all pissed off, said I was oppressing her." " I told you she was political." " She's confused, is what she is." "Jeez." "Yo, yo, yo." "Can we dance with your dates?" "." " Only if I can have her sister." " What's up, bro?" "." " Doing it right." " So you finally got those doors open, huh?" "." "After five cans of WD-40." " What's going on in here?" "." " So I took the steering column and the front end off the '67 Mustang, but we're still gonna need an engine block." " Yeah, get down, James Brown." " You know how we do it." "Is that it?" "." " Yeah, check it out." "I was thinking maybe somewhere around back," "like in real small print." " Nice." " How about like under the mural or something?" "." "What you think?" "." " Nice touch." "Maybe put it right here so it arcs with the curve of the fender?" "." " Yeah, you know, I was thinking of maybe doing it in, like, Aztec Gold to, like, represent the sun or something." "What?" "." " I think it's cool the way you back him up." " Yeah, yeah, it's all right, huh?" "." "Yeah, I tell you he made the honor roll again?" "." " Yeah, he came by and showed Ana and me the plaque." "He's coming tonight, right?" "." " Most definitely." "In fact, I might even ride shotgun, let him drive." " Orale." "The king's finally gonna give up the throne, huh?" "." " Chale, man." "I said, "drive," not "wear the crown."" " You know what I'm saying?" "." " I hear you." " You know what I'm saying?" "." " You ain't ready to abdicate yet." "Orale." " You got my shit, white boy?" "." " I said I would have it next week." " I told you next week ain't good enough." " Is there some way we can" "I don't know, renegotiate?" "." "It's too late for that." "Your ass is mine." "I think I like the sound of that." " Ooh, I like this." " Yo, what up, Che?" "." " Just trying to make a dollar out of 15 cent, you know what I'm saying?" "." " When you gonna take us for another cruise in that clean-ass ride of yours, man?" "." " When you start listening to some real music, little homey." "Nah, you got to listen to the words, man." "You got to listen to the flow." " Oh, hey, excuse me." " Hey, what's up?" "." " I was about to ask you the same thing." " Excuse me?" "." " It's from the landlord." "It says you've been complaining about me working on my cars in front of the house." " Well, on the sidewalk, actually." " And what?" "." "You couldn't talk to me direct?" "." " I did talk to you direct, remember?" "." "In fact, in the two weeks I've been here," "I think I've had to ask you to move your car at least half a dozen times." " Yeah, and when you asked me," "I moved it too, didn't I?" "." " No, you didn't." "But that's not the point." " Then why don't you tell me what is?" "." " Che, I really don't want to argue with you." " Nobody arguing with you." "You told me moving my car ain't the point, so I'm asking you what is." " The point is that this is a public sidewalk, not a personal garage space, which means it belongs to everyone, not Just you." " Listen, bottom bitch, you know how long I've been in this neighborhood, in this house?" "." " I don't want to do this." " 26 years, all right?" "." " Meaning what?" "." "It entitles you to do whatever you want?" "." " I'll tell you what it means." "It means that after all you little hipster and new money types get tired of slumming it," "I'm still gonna be here." "Entiendes?" " Hi." " I told you, I can't." " Can't or choose not to?" "." " I choose not to because I can't." " Talk you into it?" "." " Sure." "How much?" "." " Full body massage." " Oh, happy endings?" "." " Of course." "Does guilt tripping count?" "." " It's even better." "Go for it." " Okay." "A month ago, who not only went with you to your UCLA orientation for emotional and moral support but borrowed his mom's credit card and BMW sports coupe and drove you there?" "." " And lest ye forget- he's going for the Jugular now." "Who blew Gabriel's horn on the way down and twice on the way back?" "." "You're pretty good." " So what time am I picking you up?" "." " I'll meet you there." " What are you gonna tell him?" "." " I don't know." "Make something up, I guess." " Maybe even tell him the truth?" "." " I'll see you tonight." " Yeah." "Yeah, I will." "No, I can do it." "Well, no, I can't probably get there that fast." "Okay." "Yeah, no." "I'm-I'm still here." "Yeah, 8:00 is perfect." " You need a hand with that?" "." " Oh, hey, Jess." "Would you?" "." "Let me-okay, one sec." "Let me clear the space." "That's good." "Good, perfect." " That's a whole lot of plant." "At least let me get you something to drink." " Actually, I got to go check in with the old man." " Okay." "Well, got it." "By the way, I like it." "Good feng shui." " You think?" "." " Most definitely." " Yo, Pop, you home?" "." " Yo, yo." "Where the party people at?" "." "What you think?" "." "Traded Esteban for that '72 Monte Carlo steering wheel." " It's hella sharp." " Figured I wear this one." "You wear my black Pepe Le Pew." "Pilot to copilot, you know what I'm saying?" "." " Actually, Pop, I was kind of thinking of sitting this one out, you know, if it's all right with you." " Hey, whatever floats your boat, homes, you know?" "." "What's it this time?" "." "Another study group?" "." " What's that supposed to mean?" "." " You don't remember?" "." "Last month you missed Dee's birthday and then, two weeks ago, that barbecue that Benny threw for his pops." "Te recuerdas?" " Are you saying I'm lying?" "." " You tell me." "That's what I thought." "Anyway, there's some caldo in the fridge if you're hungry." " Look, Pop" " Later, homes." " Hey." "You locos don't turn down that music," "I'm gonna have to call Homeland Security on your ass." " Yo, man, you wearing that hat to hide the ugly?" "." " I don't know, man." "Why don't you ask your old lady?" "." "I got it from her." " You got what from who?" "." " Hey, I was talking about his mother, eh?" "." " You talking about my mama?" "." " I'm sorry, babe." "What was that?" "." " Tell my girl I say "what's up?" "'" "And I need my Tupperware." " Hey, Ana says "what's up."" "And she needs her Tupperware." " Este vato." "Didn't he Just talk to her, like, five minutes ago?" "." " Yeah, but he forgot to ask permission to scratch his nalga." " Watch out, bro." "I heard that." "Let me call you back, babe." " Hey, where's Timbert?" "." " I don't know, man." " Hey, yo, Gary, let's go, man." " That's it." "That's it." " Thanks, nigga." "I'll be home late, so don't wait up." " I won't." "I Just like to watch you line up the horses." " Sharp." " Hey, homey." " Look at you." "Was the pleather on sale this week?" "." " You boys ready to get this party started right?" "." " Shit, man, we're waiting on you, homeboy." " For real." " What about Jess?" "." "Ain't he coming?" "." " Nah, he ain't feeling good." "Got some kind of food poisoning or something, so..." " What you mean, like, E. coli, man?" "." " Yeah, you know, something like that." " Well, shit, man, if he ain't coming," "I might as well sit up front." "Give the ladies something pretty to look at." "You know what I'm saying?" "." " Fo sho'." " Hey, what do you think, down Mission and then cut over to Broadway?" "." " Crosstown, downtown, don't matter, as long as we get there low and slow." "Let's go." " I can't believe I'm doing this shit." " You need a drink." " Orale pues." "It's the midnight hour, and you're cruising to Radio del Barrio Aztlan." "This dedication's going out to all the homies out there in the San Fran Mission." " Say, you got a website?" "." " Up yours." " You see that, man?" "." "I think she and I Just had one of those special moments." "Que traes, hombre?" "I thought we were supposed to be having a good time, remember?" "." " Hey, let me ask you something." "You think Jess picked L.A. because he wants to, you know, get away from all this?" "." " "All this"?" "." " Yeah, you know, the barrio." " What, you think he's going to college to get away from you?" "." " The truth?" "." "I think he picked UCLA 'cause aside from having some of the finest rucas in all of Aztlan, it's one of the baddest schools in the whole pinche state, bro." "Shit, and if you and I had our shit together when we were his age, we'd have done the same damn thing." "I know I would have." " Yeah, you're probably right." " Besides, man, you can take the man out of the Mission, but you can't take the Mission out of the man." "That shit's in the blood, homes." "You know that." " Yeah, right." "Jesse." " Che." "I Just wanted to let you know that I'll be moving in some of my stuff later on today, and I'll probably need to use the driveway." "Che." " I heard you the first time." " I'll tell you what's fucked up." "I call her up and tell her" "I want to come over and see the kids, and you know what she says to me?" "." ""You have to call ahead of time." "I have plans."" " Right, dude, that's fucked up." " I mean, check it out." "First she drags me to court and tells the Judge I ain't seeing them enough." "And then when I try, she tells me that shit." " Claudia's the same way, man." "First she makes me sell the '58 to buy the minivan." "Now she's on this whole," ""l want to go back to school and work" trip." " I told you, it's all them motherfucking self-help books and talk shows, man." "Like that shit they had on Oprah the other day." " The one where the dudes stay home and the ladies go work?" "." " Was that some shit or what?" "." " Wack." " You want to know what it is?" "." "I'll tell you." "It's exactly like the bro here says." "They're confused." " Maybe they're finally calling you on all your bullshit." " Who, me?" "." " Hey, if the shoe fits." " No, no, no, see, if you're talking about me hanging out with Paula, dude, me and Lynette were already separated." " Paula drives a '69 Buick?" "." " You know she drives." " No shit." "When the fuck you hit that?" "." " Remember the car show in San Jose?" "." " No way." " Every which way." "You know what I'm saying?" "." "Iaughte" " Yo, yo, yo, where are the white women at?" "." "What's up, dog?" "." "What's up, baby?" "." " Hey, Little Man." "What did I tell you about playing that fucking noise in here?" "." "You want to play that shit, play it someplace else." " Yo, you all right, man?" "." " Yeah, I'm cool." "I'm gonna get on, man." " All right." " Yo, what's up with smiley over there, man?" "." " Forgot his Wheaties, eh?" "." "Yo, Jess." "How's that E. coli, man?" "." "Drink plenty of fluids." "Flush it out." "Yo, I ever tell you about the time me and the old lady went to visit her family in Peru?" "." " About ten times, shit." " What's up, Pop?" "." " Where do you think you're going?" "." " To the store." "Why, what's up?" "." " Get inside." " Look, if this is about bringing alcohol in the house" " I said get in the fucking house." " Hey, homes." " Now." " Where's that Mary Wells CD I left inside your carrucha?" " Stay the hell out of my music, Benny." " And take another happy pill while you're at it." "Pendejo." " I told you;" "I left you a note." "I went out." " Fuck the note." "Where, "out"?" "." " A party." " What kind of party?" "." " What do you mean, "What kind of party?" "'" "It was Just a party." " Then what the fuck are these?" "." " You going through my shit?" "." " Sit down." " No, give those back to me." "Those are mine." " I said sit the fuck down." "Now tell me." "Who's the fucking white boy?" "." " He's a friend." " What kind of friend?" "." " A friend." " Is that why he's man-handling you" "like you're some kind of Mexican bitch?" "." " Fuck you, man." " You want to start cussing at me?" "." "You try me again." " You're so fucking predictable." "You know that?" "." "Then I guess you saw that coming, right?" "." " You don't know shit, man." " Otra vez?" "No?" "." "Good." "Now it's my turn." "Why does this motherfucker have his tongue down your fucking throat?" "." " Why do you think?" "." " Answer me!" " 'Cause I'm a fucking faggot." "That's why." "'Cause I'm your fucking faggot son." " I want you out of my house now." "You make me sick to my fucking stomach." " What about you, huh?" "." "Did being locked up make you sick to your stomach too?" "." " What did you say?" "." " Come on, Pop." "You gonna tell me you didn't, you know, at least try and cop a little bit of prison ass," "Just once?" "." " You little bitch." " Get the fuck off me!" " What the hell was that?" "." " Get the fuck- let me go!" " From now on, you're fucking dead to me!" " I fucking hate you!" " Fight!" " Hey!" "Hey, sit down!" " I fucking hate you!" "Such a fucking Joke!" " Get the fuck off me!" " You're an asshole!" " Fuck, this is crazy." " Did you know your godson's a fucking joto?" " I fucking hate you!" " Stop this!" "Y'all enjoying yourselves?" "." "Jesus Christ." "Get some ice on this." " Get your fucking hands" " You touch me again, and I'll have your ass arrested so quickly it'll make your head spin." " Come on, bro, she's right." "That's enough." " You better get out of my motherfucking way, Gary." "I swear to God, I'll fucking hurt you, man." " Nephew." "That's enough." " Calmala." " "'You're welcome, Son of a Chief from Above,'" ""said one who appeared like a chief himself." "And together they entered the largest house of all."" " Okay, querido, time to go to bed." " Please, Mom, could I stay up?" "." " Mi'jo, let's go." "Vaya tu tambien." " Andale, vete con tu mama." "Andate." "How's your lip?" "." " I'll live." " Just give him time, man." "He'll come around." " Care less." "He can do whatever he wants." "What?" "." " Nothing." " What?" "." " So you really don't like girls?" "." "Chale." " Renesha, I think your hair looks totally natural." "Tell her, Che." " You really think so?" "." "'Cause my daughter been messing with me about it all week." " Check you later, man." "What you want, man?" "." "I'm working." " Doughnut?" "." "Listen, man, I'm not here to swing nobody." "So relax, all right?" "." " Oh, is that what you would do, relax?" "." " No, man, I'd be pissed too." "Maybe want to fuck somebody up, which is why I'd be working my steps and going to meetings, Che." " That's why you came all the way down here," "Just to tell me that?" "." " I came down here 'cause I'm your sponsor, man, and I need to know" " You want to know if I had a drink." "Nah." "I didn't." " Cool." " That it?" "." " Yeah, motherfucker." "Shit." "I got to work." " Hey, there's the fag." " Got a beatin', man." " So his father kicked his ass when he found the pictures." "Diez cincuenta." " Most of the raids were at night, usually around 3:00 in the morning, which meant kicking in doors and terrorizing families." "Our main objective was to instill fear and gain control." "We would do whatever we thought was necessary." "There are things that we did over there that I will regret for the rest of my life." "And the reason I am talking to you today is to ask you for help, to tell you that I need help." "knocking at doo" " Who is it?" "." " It's-it's Che from downstairs." " I'm tired." "What do you want?" "." " Uh-that's all right." "That's cool." "In fact, you know what?" "." "You don't even have to open up the door." "I can-I can talk from right here," "I mean, if that's-if that's all right with you." " What is it?" "." " I wanted to apologize for what happened the other day." "I didn't mean to- you know." "I didn't mean to grab you like that." "You there?" "." " Then why did you grab me like that?" "." " I don't know, you know?" "." "I-I think things Just got a little out of hand." " I see." "So it's not your fault." "Is that it?" "." " Say what?" "." " You know how many women I see every day whose husbands or boyfriends give the same bullshit excuse?" "." ""Things Just got a little out of hand."" " Excuse?" "." "You calling me a woman beater?" "." " I wouldn't limit it to Just women, would you?" "." " Fine." "You know what?" "." "I don't need this shit." " That's what I thought." " What did you say?" "." " Walking away." "It's always easier, isn't it?" "." " Chale, man." "You know what you are?" "." " I do, actually, but if I ever need a second opinion," "I'll be sure to ask." " Damn." "Are you always such a- a bitch when someone's trying to apologize to you?" "." " You finished?" "." " No." "I also wanted to thank you for how you took care of that thing outside." "You didn't have to do that, and... you know, I appreciate it." " Che, it's absolutely none of my business, but can I say something to you?" "." " It's a free country, ain't it?" "." " I'm not a parent, so I have no idea what you might be going through, but..." "I do know what it's like to have a secret, to feel ashamed and alone and... most of all, to be afraid of someone you're supposed to be able to trust." "And I guess, Che, what I'm trying to say is, if there ever was a time your son needed you, it's probably now." " Game, sucker." "All right, who wants some of Daddy, huh?" "." " We next." "Except we don't play with no faggots." " Who the fuck you calling a faggot, punk?" "." "Ain't nobody scared of you, nigga." " Keep starting, man." "What's up?" "." " You gonna let him talk that shit?" "." " Hey, yo, ask that puta where she got that fat-ass lip from." " On his knees from his Daddy." " Aw, I think you hurt her feelings." " That's right, punk." "You better keep walking." " Hey, hey, hey, hey, Donde esta la gente?" "..." " Hey, what's up, man?" "." " Just a squirrel trying to get a nut." " Thanks for coming, bro." "I appreciate it." " Anytime, anytime, brother." " Do you want a soda or something?" "." " How about some water?" "." "I'm trying to watch my blood sugar." "Did I tell you I found a V-8 for that lmpala?" "." "Picked it up on Craigslist for about a buck fifty." "You believe it?" "." "I was thinking of maybe converting it to biodiesel before we drop it." "What you think?" "." " Do whatever you want with it, man." "I ain't got no need for it." " You know, for what it's worth, man, nobody's tripping, man." " Nobody's tripping 'cause it ain't their son." " Maybe, but then again, maybe it ain't such a big deal." "You believe that shit, homey?" "." "You've been living in this town too fucking long." " You may be right about that one." " Is that for him?" "." " Mm-hmm." "He asked me to come by, pick up some of his stuff, you know." " How's he doing?" "." "Come on, man." "He's a great kid." "I'm thinking of adopting him." " So what's up, man?" "." " I don't know." "You ever think about all the shit we used to do, all the people we ripped off, the ones we fucked over?" "." " If you're asking me if I think God's punishing you for something you already did your time for, then my answer is no, I don't." "God don't have to punish, homey." "We do that one good enough on our own." "Watch out." "When Rene Jr. was born and the doctors told us about his condition," "I was thinking exactly what you are right now." ""God's punishing me for all my sins," ""for all the shit I did or didn't do." "Why else would he give me a defective son," right?" "." "When they brought him home from the hospital," "I didn't even want to hold him, homey." "I couldn't." "That almost broke me and Ana apart." "En serio." "Then one night, he stopped breathing." "And we had all these fancy machines and medications, todo el pedo, 'mano." "There wasn't shit I could do." "So I prayed." "I mean, I got down on my knees, and I begged, homey, not for his heart to be normal or for him to even breathe on his own." "Chale." "I Just wanted him to live." "I wanted him to live so I could pick him up and love him." "That's it." ""Just let him live, and I'll be happy."" " Seguro." " Where's Tepee-ack anyway?" "." " Tepeyac." "It's the mountain where the Virgin first appeared to Juan Diego." " How come you making her all dark like that?" "." " Because her original name, her Indian name, was Tonantzin." "She only became La Virgen after the conquerors forced their language and religion on everybody, you know?" "." " For real?" "." "So is she, like, Aztec or something?" "." " She's Mexihcah, like you and your homey here." " Ha!" "What's up?" "." " Hey." " All right, all you shorties out of here." "The shop is closed now." " I'm gonna have a sick-ass lowrider Just like Che with a fat-ass bird right there, fat-ass eagle." "What's up, yo?" "." " How are you?" "." "Preparing them for the revolution, I see." " Hey, the rebrowning of America, right?" "." "What happened to you?" "." " Oh, my front tire decided to take a day off." " Well, maybe you were talking to it and it Just blew itself up." " May I?" "." " I'm going to the bike shop at Valencia, so it's" " No, look, save your money." "I got all the tools you need right here." "All right, it will take me ten minutes, max." "Look, scout's honor." "I promise." "Cool?" "." " Okay." " Let's take a look, see what we got here." " But you have to let me pay you." " Well, look, I fix your bike." "You buy me lunch." " Lunch?" "." " Hey, a fair trade ain't no robbery." "You know what I'm saying?" "." " Che, you know what?" "." "I'll come back later." "Hey, Jess." " Tio Rene said you wanted to see me." " You hungry?" "." " I could eat." " Gracias, senor." "Bendiga esta comida y las manos que la cultivaron." "En el nombre de su hijo, amen." "You want to try the verde?" "." "I used them green chilies from Virgil's yard." " Sure." " I guess he Just picked them yesterday." " Look, Pop, for what it's worth," "I never meant for you to find out like that." "Did you hear me?" "." " What you want me to say?" "." " I don't know." "I guess I'm Just wondering how you're feeling, what you're thinking." " I think God made man and woman for a reason." " Yeah, well, he also made me the way that I am." " Yeah?" "." "And which one are you?" "." " Which one am I?" "." "I'm your son." " All right." "I can't do this." " No, wait." "Sit down." "For a minute, please?" "." "Please sit down." "I didn't wake up one day and Just decide to be like this." " Then why are you?" "." " I don't know." "I wish I could tell you that." "All I know is that I've been this way for as long as I can remember." "And for Just as long," "I've been too afraid to tell you." " All right, look, look, look." "I told your uncle I was going to try, all right?" "." "And I am." "I'm trying." "But if you think that talking about it or processing it or however you want to call it is gonna somehow make it all right or acceptable, or that maybe one day I'm gonna, like, give you my blessing," "then you're wasting your time, 'cause that's never gonna happen." " Meaning?" "." " Meaning I don't want to know about it." "I don't want to have it anywhere near me." "Me entiendes?" " So what you're saying is, I have to choose?" "." "Right?" "." "Is that what you're saying?" "." "mournful blues music playing" " Hello?" "." "Che?" "." " It's supposed to be good luck." " Hey." "I saw the light on, so I thought I'd see how you were doing with the bike, I mean." " Check it out." "Just like downtown." " Oh, my G- is this my bike?" "." "What did you do?" "." "It looks brand-new." " Well, you know, you had a little bit of rust damage, right?" "." "So I primed it out, slapped on a couple of coats." " You actually painted my bicycle?" "." " Yeah, I still got to put on the handlebars and pedals and whatnot, but, you know, you- you get the idea, right?" "." " Che, this is" "I mean, I had no idea you- this must have taken you all day." " Nah, Just a couple of hours." "No big deal." "Besides, you know what?" "." "It was a nice change of pace, you know what I'm saying?" "." " Thank you." "Your pride and Joy?" "." " Oh, yeah." "That's my war pony right there." " Ooh." "Wow, oh, wait." " I guess you Just read this for the articles, huh?" "." " Why you always got to say something, huh?" "." " Because I can." " You trippin'." " Is this your mom?" "." " Yeah." " Mm, you look a lot like her." "Do you mind if I ask you what it is about cars that you find so interesting?" "." " Originally," "I think it was Just something to, you know, something to do to stay out of trouble." " It wasn't until Jess got into 'em" " Jess is into lowriders too?" "." " He used to be, you know, when he was younger." "In fact, it's how he made the honor roll four years straight, so..." " Really?" "." " Yeah, you know, for every A he brought home," "I'd go out, and I'd buy a new part, right?" "." "So I'd go out, and I'd get, like, a chrome mirror or, like, you know, a new set of rims." "And then we'd Just build it from the ground up." "This one right here, this is-this is our first." "Hey, so anyway, you know, what about you?" "." " Me?" "." " Yeah, like, what do you to, you know" " Stay out of trouble?" "." " Yeah." "I think I'm still trying to figure that one out." "But okay, I'd probably say my work." " Oh, right, at the female clinic, right?" "." " Well, it's actually a women's shelter, but yeah." " Hey, well, that's cool, you know," "I mean, helping people out." " I don't know." "I think sometimes they do more for me than I do for them." "So many of them have been hurt and demeaned in every possible way." "But when you witness a woman discover" "Just how beautiful and powerful she really is, it somehow changes you." " I'm up." "Good morning." " Hey." "Stay brown." " Can't do nothing but, right?" "." "Hey, what's up?" "." " Hey." "I was baking some cookies, and, well," "I wanted to thank you again for fixing my bike." "It's beautiful." " Well, since we're neighbors, let's be friends, right?" "." " Actually friends would be nice, Che." " Yeah." "It would." " Anyway, I hope you like chocolate chip." " Oh, yeah." "Most definitely." " Might taste a little different than what you're used to." "I used white grape Juice instead of sugar and canola oil instead of butter." " Oh, yeah, I heard about that." "Canola oil?" "." "That's supposed to be good for the heart or something, right?" "." " Yeah, it's unsaturated fat." " Oh, right, right." " Anyway, enjoy." " Wait." "I'll bring the plate back tomorrow, you know, when I'm done." " I know where you live." " Right?" "." "Chocolate chip with canola oil." "That's what I'm talking about." " Man, shut up, cuz." " You shut up." " Gotta respect the O.G. one time, for real, though." " Man." " I'm going out." " Wednesday night pick-up game, huh?" "." " Yeah, you looked like you were busy, so..." "Nah, it'll just take me a minute to suit up." " Actually, I was gonna go stop by Benny's house first, so, you know..." " All right." " Yeah." "I'll check you later." " What, you're gonna chicken out, pichon?" " Hey, man, I was just tying my shoe." " Of course you were." "Don't be scared, man." "Don't be scared of these pichones." "Check that out." " Hey, yo, can we dance with your dates?" "." " As long as we can have her sister." " You can have her abuelita." " Her abuelita." " Yo, man, are we cool?" "." " You know it's all good." " Where's my three-point shooter at?" "." " Aw, he had to study for a big test and whatnot, you know." " What's up, dog?" "." " So who's teams?" "." " Somebody reported a missing plate?" "." " That would be moi." "How were they?" "." " The cookies?" "." "Great, the one that I had." " He didn't share?" "." " No, he did." "I'm just playing." " You know, I just put some hot water on." "You want some tea?" "." " Yeah." "Hey, who's this?" "." " That is the goddess Kali." "You know, she's kind of like the Virgin Mary, except with teeth." " I heard that." " Honey?" "." " Yeah, sure." " Did I tell you that I finally met my new neighbor?" "." " Thanks." "Who, Mr. Gonzalez?" "." " Mm, is that his name?" "." " Yeah." " You know, he's even been here longer than my pops." " Well, he's not exactly the social type." " Don't take it personally." "He's a little hard of hearing." "Plus, the last tenant who lived in here, they offered the landlord triple the rent to get Mr. G's unit." " Hmm, gentrification." " Almost." "You see, my pops helped him fight the case in court." "And believe it or not, they won." "You know, I think my dad was even more happy than Mr. G that day." " You know, Jess, your father thinks the world of you." " He can't even look at me." " Che, Che, Che, Che." "Oh, damn!" " Jesus Christ!" " Why you got to front me like that, man?" "." " Es que nomas llama, fuck, cuando esta perdiendo este guey?" " Now, don't start with your chili chatter, man." " Someone gonna get the ball, man?" "." " Hey, man, this is America." "You can't talk the shit in English, don't bother to talk shit at all." " Chili chatter?" "." "Where'd you get that, B.E.T.?" "." " Hey, man, thanks a lot." "Say, you got a problem with hearing?" "." " Nah." "I got a problem with faggots living in my hood." "How about you?" "." "What's the matter, bus driver?" "." "Ain't got shit to say?" "." "Oh, you remember me now, huh, bitch?" "." " La chota." "Vamonos." " I'm gonna- I'm gonna be driving today." "You want a ride?" "." " Nah, I'm meeting Gummy at 8:.00." " How's things going, anyway?" "." " What do you mean, at school?" "." " Yeah, school, the neighborhood." " Things are fine." "Why?" "." " I don't know." "Anyone been, like, saying anything or, you know, giving you hassle?" "." " About what?" "." " I'll see you tonight." " Hey, Pop." "Thanks for asking... about the ride, I mean." " Stay brown." " Yo, what up, man?" "." " Come on, first period, 20 minutes." " Yeah, man." "You're gonna have to go on without me." "My moms is working overtime, so I gotta take these fools to school." " It's no problem." "I'll just cruise with." " No, man." "I'm cool." "Go on ahead." " You sure it ain't no thing?" "." " Yeah, man." "I'm cool." "Catch up with you later." " Fine, whatever, man." " Hey, hey!" " What's up with the attitude, man?" "." "Hold on, baby." "Catch up with you in a minute, okay?" "." "Be in there a minute." "Listen, man, I got to go ahead with some business." " That's all right, man." "I thought that" " I know what you thought." " Yeah, well, don't act like you don't know what people have been saying around here." " People say a lot of things." "That don't make 'em true." " If it is?" "." " Then it is." "Motherfucking beat goes on." "You know what I'm saying?" "." "Hey, you know what I'm saying?" "." " You're crazy, man." "I'll see you at school." " All right, man." " Wait, wait, wait, wait." "Did she bake you some cookies?" "." " No, man, you're already misrepresenting the facts, homes." "She made 'em for the both of us." " I don't know, dude." "Cookies are some serious shit." "What kind were they?" "." " Chocolate chip, but she, you know, she sweetened them with some kind of special juice." " She sweetened them with her what?" "." " Don't fuck around, man." "I'm serious." "She's a deep lady, all right?" "." " I wonder if that means he's finally gonna ask her out." " What you mean, "finally"?" "." " Check him out, man." "Like he ain't been clocking her since she moved in." " You're tripping, man." "She's my neighbor." " Don't you read the Bible?" "." "You got to love thy neighbor as thyself." " Especially if that neighbor got a booty like that." "Hey, yo, man, hit me with that neck bone." " Hey, I think you should ask her out for the Friday night cruise." "Dale gas, you know what I mean?" "." " Don't you think that'll be like, you know, crossing the line," "I mean, her living in the same building and whatnot?" "." " Not if you invite her as a friend." " I don't know why you getting him all hyped up." "You know a chick like that ain't gonna go cruising on no Friday night." " Hold on, hold on, what you mean," ""A chick like that"?" "." " Come on, man." "Look how she dresses, all organic and shit." "She probably don't even shave her legs." " You mean when your old lady shaved your balls?" "." " Listen, man, all I'm saying is, a woman like that ain't going for no loco who drives a bus." "Man, she might be down for the brown, but unless you one of them dudes that drinks soy lattes and recycles his plastics, she ain't wasting her time, that's all." " No, man, don't listen to this fool, man." "He's been with the same woman since eighth grade." "Motherfucker don't know shit about romance." " From someone who has kids in five different states, you would be the expert, huh?" "." " Damn skippy." "And if a black woman makes a man some chocolate chip cookies, that shit means something on." "Besides, what's the worst she could do?" "." "Say no?" "." "Well, pass them cookies over here." "I'll eat them motherfuckers." "Shit." "I'll lick the plate." "Shit." " Fuckin' eat anything." " Anything good?" "." " Oh, hey, what's up, Lena?" "." "Just my $1 0 million check, you know." " Oh, well, I think you might have my mail by mistake." " Oh, right." "My bad." "Hey, check it out." "You know what?" "." "A bunch of us are gonna go on a little lowrider cruise this Friday night, and-no-I was just wondering if, you know, you didn't have any plans, you weren't doing nothing or nothing like that," "maybe you might want to come along?" "." " This Friday?" "." " Yeah." " I don't know." " Oh, that's cool." "I just thought I would, you know" " Thanks for asking." " Hey, you know, it's no big deal, right?" "." " I mean" " It's all good." " Would Jess be coming?" "." " Oh, yeah, most definitely." "I mean, it's a whole family affair, right?" "." "The whole crew is gonna be there, you know." " Mm-hmm." "Where exactly would we be cruising to?" "." " Well, actually, that's the thing about lowriding." "We don't really go anywhere." "We just take our time getting there." "You know what I'm saying?" "." "Low and slow, you know what I'm saying?" "." "You know what I'm saying?" "." " Okay, I'll think about it." " Cool." " Yeah." " Hey, you need a hand?" "." " Oh, strong girl." "Stop, Loo, Listen" " What's he so happy about?" "." " Who said I'm happy?" "." " Well, obviously not you." " What, can't a brother sing a beautiful song, man?" "." " Oh, well, if a brother could sing." " That ain't right." " You know that was funny." "You know that was funny." " Yo, yo, where the brown people at?" "." " Hey, Pop, I'll be out in a minute." " Hey, what do you say we go grab a couple of burritos at that taqueria, go watch that Giant-Dodger game over at Benny's house?" "." "I thought maybe we'd catch the game, you know, go get some burrito first." "You going somewhere?" "." " Yeah, remember?" "." "I told you this morning." "I might be going out tonight." " Yeah, you said to study." " Yeah, and then we'll probably go grab a bite to eat." " Who's "we"?" "." "I asked you a question." " You said you didn't want to hear about it, remember?" "." " You're right." "I don't." " A spokesman for Homeland Security said it will have 700 miles of fence barriers, roads, and lining in place along the U.S.-Mexico border." "The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that it would override" "Federal Environmental Protection Law in order to finish the 670-mile border fence." " Hey, yo, man." "Go ahead." "Turn this motherfucker up, man." "This my jam." " Yeah." " You see this?" "." "Check this out." "Fucking joto, man." "* *" " You go ahead, man." "Turn this motherfucker around." " Man, you're wasting your time, man." " What?" "." "You some kind of faggot lover now, huh?" "." " Salud." " It's a red light, asshole." " Do you even know what mole is?" "." " No, but I've heard of Oaxaca." " Yeah, I'm surprised you can even pronounce it." " I know what I'm talking about." " So you ladies lost?" "." "I think Castro's up that way." "Hey, Cinderella." "I'm talking to you." "Oye, Rivera." " Do you know this guy?" "." " Don't worry about it." "Let him talk." " All right, man, serious, though." "I got, like, one question." "Which one of y'all wears the dress and plays bitch?" "." " I was about to ask you the same thing." " I told you to ignore him." " You say something to me, fruitcake?" "." " Yeah, I was wondering if you were aware that men who demonstrate extreme homophobic tendencies are oftentimes homosexuals themselves?" "." " What are you trying to prove, huh?" "." " What?" "." " Damn, dude." "I think he just called you a faggot and shit." " Yeah, man, I think he wants to suck your dick, homey." " Stop the car." "I said stop the fucking car." " Go get the car." "Go get the fucking car." " Suck on this, puto." " Let's get the fuck up out of here, man." " What's going on?" "." " Who are you?" "." " I live here:, that's who." " This is his father." " Whoa, what is it, Lena?" "." "What happened?" "." " Mr. Rivera, there's been an incident involving your son." " Well, what happened?" "." "Where's Jesse?" "." "Where's Jesse, man?" "." "Excuse me." "Excuse me." "I'm looking for my son, Jesse-Jesus Rivera." "He's supposed to be in icu." " Down the hall to the right, sir." " Thank you." "So what did you find out?" "." " I guess it was some little vato who's been hassling him at school." "There was a witness, so they picked the kid up, but who knows if they'll be able to hold him besides." "You still there?" "." " I got to go, man." "I'll call you tomorrow morning." " All right." " All right." " Carol Davis, 71 1 5." "Carol Davis, 71 1 5." " Appreciate you coming tonight." "It means a lot." " I'm glad I was there." " He's gonna be all right, ain't he?" "." " Yeah." "Yeah, he is." " I guess I should let you go, huh?" "." "I don't know why, Che, but sometimes you just break my heart." " How's my grandson?" "." " I need to ask you a favor." " Oh, hey." " Hey." " Everything cool?" "." " Yeah." " All right." "Listen, by the way, thanks for that card you sent." "I know he appreciates it." " Oh, yeah." " Well, got to get to work, so..." " Right." "Okay, see ya." " Hey, do me a favor." "Give it a little gas for me." " Am I smelling French fries?" "." " Vegetable oil." "Ease up a little." "Orale, kill it." " So I see you finally got it running, huh?" "." " Why you look so surprised, homes?" "." "Hey, so how's my sobrino doing, anyway?" "." "Ana and I are planning to go over there later tonight." " Well, the doc says there ain't no guarantees, but she thinks he could be up and around in time for graduation." " Gracias a Dios." " Which is, you know, kind of what I wanted to talk to you about." "What?" "." "You planning to take back the car you said was mine and had no use for?" "." " Come on, man." "It means I like to finish what I start." "How's that?" "." " Oh, oh, what was that?" "." "My ear is bad, man." "De nuevo." " Come on, now." " Come on." "Let's get on it then." "illiam DeVaughn's e hanul or hat ou Got" "* *" " * Though you may not drive *" "* A great big Cadillac *" "* *" "* Gangster whitewalls *" "* TV antennas in the back *" "* *" "* You may not have *" "* A car at all *" "* *" "* But remember, brothers and sisters *" "* You can still stand tall *" "* So just be thankful for what you've got *" "* *" "* Though you may not drive *" "* A great big Cadillac, diamond in the back *" "* Sunroof top, digging the scene *" "* With a gangster lean, gangster whitewalls *" "* TV antennas in the back *" "* You may not have *" "* A car at all *" "* But remember, brothers and sisters *" "* You can still stand tall *" " Hey, what's up, doc?" "." "All right, all right." " * So just be thankful... *" " Hey, pretty lady." "All right." " He's been here most of the night." "Sweet kid." " Hey." "Listen up, man." "I'm gonna tell you this just once." "You stay the fuck away from my son; you hear me?" "." " I'm sorry, but I don't think I can do that." " Think I'm playing with you, punk, huh?" "." "I see you here ever again," "I swear to God, I'll fucking kill you." " Yeah, you can tell that's Sacramento car show." "Oh, shit, here he is." " Holy shit." " What?" "." "Yeah!" " So what you think?" "." " Man." " Can you say to the bone?" "." "Ooh!" " I'm gonna give it up to you, dude." "You pimped this motherfucker out serious." " How about that paint job, huh?" "." " Mm." " Would you say four, five coats?" "." " Oh, come on, Gary." "More like ten, homey." " This ain't no car." "This is a masterpiece." " Ooh." " Man, that's bad." " Jesse's gonna flip when he sees this." "Does he know?" "." " No, and he better not till after graduation." "You understand?" "." " What?" "." "I ain't gonna say nothing." "There she is, la reina de mis suenos." " Hey, Benny." " What do you think?" "." "Just came off the Aztec assembly line." " It's beautiful." "It really is." "Congratulations." " Mm." " I'm hungry, yo." " Hey, go ahead and pull it in the garage." " Hey, Lena." " Hey, what's up, Che?" "." " How's it going?" "." " Good." "You?" "." " You know, one day at a time, right?" "." " Actually, I'm glad you came in just now." "There's something I've been wanting to talk to you about." " Oh, yeah?" "." "What's that?" "." " I feel I owe you an apology for the other night." " An apology?" "." "What for?" "." " It was an emotional night, but I don't think it was the best thing for us to do." " Okay." "So what does that mean?" "." " I don't think we should take it any further than it's already gone." " In other words, I ain't your cup of tea." "Is that it?" "." " No, that's not what I'm saying, Che." " Then what are you saying?" "." "That what happened the other night was just another fucking roll in the sack?" "." " I don't think it would work out." "That's all." " That is bullshit, and you know it." " Please don't look at me like I got the answers, Che, 'cause I don't." " You're right." "It's just easier to walk away, ain't it?" "." " Che, that night together was a first for me in a long, long time." " Listen, Lena, whoever hurt you, whatever happened in the past, that ain't me." " The truth is, I don't really know who you are, Che." "But I have been around enough men like you, men who use violence and intimidation to get what they want, and I am done with that." " Well, look, if you're talking about what you seen at the hospital," "I can explain." " Then explain." "Like I said, I'm sorry." " Now, hold up, hold on." "Hey, wait a second." " And they'll be bringing you breakfast in just a little while." " Excuse me." "Excuse me." " Yes." " My son was in this room last night." "Did he get transferred to a different room or something?" "." " I believe he checked himself out this morning." " For reals?" "." " What's up, man?" "." " Where's he at?" "." " Where's who at?" "." " Don't fuck with me, man." "I ain't in the mood." " Look, man, I ain't no snitch." " You ain't his jefito neither, so where's he at?" "." " Shit." " Can I help you?" "." " I'm here for my son." " Give me a minute." "I'll see if he's in." " Yeah, you do that." " Jesse, your father's outside." " Hey, Pop." " Get your shit, and let's go." " I'm sorry." "I can't do that." " Say what?" "." " I'm not going with you." " Oh, is that right?" "." "Look around you, boy." "You think these people really give a shit about you, huh?" "." " And you do?" "." " I'm all you got, remember?" "." " No." "I got a lot more than that." "I got myself." "And if you can't accept me for what I am, for who I love, then I think you should leave." " Whose little speech is that?" "." "Yours?" "." "Or theirs?" "." " You humiliate me in front of the entire neighborhood." "Then you threaten Jordan for visiting me in the hospital, and you can stand here and ask me that?" "." " Listen to me." "I'm gonna give you one minute to get your ass in there and get your shit together." "And you ain't out by then," "I'm gonna leave here without you for good." "Me entiendes?" " You still don't hear me, do you, Pop?" "." " One minute." " Are you gonna be okay, mi'jo?" " Yeah." "As long as I take it low and slow, right?" "." " Yeah, si." "Hey, but don't forget to come by later." " I made your favorite, tres leches cake." " You know how she is." "If you don't come by and have at least a piece, she's gonna make me eat it all." "Tengo panzon." " I will." "Gracias, Tia." " I love you." " I love you too." "I love you." " Oh, love you." " Well, see you later." " Orale." " Here we go."