Page 92 of Hunter's Hidden Camera
“Come here, girl!”
Blanca’s mother unlatches the chain. “Come in. It’s cold out. You don’t got no jacket?”
I shake my head and step inside.
Blanca appears, wearing pajama pants and a white T-shirt. “Hunter? The fuck you doing here?”
Blanca’s mom grabs Blanca’s ear and pulls at it. “I told you not to talk like you ghetto.”
“Ow!”
Blanca rubs her ear. “What do you want, Hunter?”
Although I hate Blanca, especially for what she did to Oscar, I know that she’s not totally cold inside. My guess is that she feels some guilt about what went down earlier today.
“Oscar is in a lot of trouble,” I say.
“Oscar?” both women say at the same time.
“I was thinking that maybe you might be able to help,” I say. “Maybe your brothers can help.”
“What is this about?” Blanca asks. “It’s like one in the morning.”
“I don’t think we have a lot of time. There are some people who want to hurt Oscar. And I didn’t know who else to go to.”
“Come back tomorrow,” says Blanca.
“He might be dead tomorrow!” I yell.
“You crazy, Hunter,” Blanca declares.
Blanca’s mother takes a step toward me. “Wait a minute. What’d you say your name was again?”
“Hunter.”
“Oh!” Blanca’s mother smiles. “Thisis Hunter!Thisis the white boy that gave you all that money!”
“Callate, mama,“ says Blanca.
“Don’t talk to me that way, girl,” says Blanca’s mother.
“What money?” I ask.
“I’m Mrs. Garcia,” she says. “Thank you for taking care of Blanca. When I found all that money in her room, I thought she had stolen it, but she explained that it came from you. You’re like rich. You’re like a good person, passing out money to all your friends. God bless you. God bless you.”
I look at Blanca. “What is your mom talking about, Blanca?”
“Nothing. My mom’s confused.”
“Who’s confused?” says Mrs. Garcia. “I taught you to be grateful when someone does something nice for you. So he helped pay our rent, so I have to thank him.”
I step towards Blanca. “Did you take my money?”
“What money?”
“Did you steal my money, Blanca?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
