“I work there,” he said. “Part-time.”
“But you don’t still go there? You look like you’re a junior.”
“I’m nineteen,” he said. “I graduated last year.”
“Oh.”
Angelo turned toward a hand truck laden with cardboard boxes. He took a folding knife from his pocket, flicked the heavy blade into place, and then cut open the top box. He did it with incredible speed and grace, the silver edge slicing neatly and precisely through the packing tape without touching the contents inside. As Angelo folded the knife and put it away, Dana took another quick look at the scars on his arms and hands. Had he gotten them from learning how to use the knife? Or in knife fights? Some of them looked old and some looked like they had been bad.
“I’m working a couple of jobs now,” explained Angelo. “The school, here. Doing some maintenance stuff at the baseball field over the county line at Oak Valley, and picking up a few hours here and there hammering out dented fenders at Porter’s Auto Body.”
“That’s a lot of working.”
He shrugged. “I don’t mind work. Like the auto-body stuff best. I dig cars, but that’s only a few hours a week, because Porter mostly uses full-time guys. He calls me in when he has overflow. Money’s money,” he said, “and I’m trying to pay for college.”
“College?”
His smile suddenly dimmed. “Yeah, poor Latino kids want to go to college, too. Big surprise, huh?”
“No,” she cried. “That’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?” he asked, his dark eyes suddenly intense. “You see me hauling bags of trash in school and you think that’s all I’m good for? You ever even know any Latino kids like me?”
“I never said that,” protested Dana. “I know a lot of people like you.”
And the like you hung in the air, as clumsy and awkward as it could possibly be.
“I—I m-mean,” she stammered, “we used to live in San Diego. There were a lot of Mexican kids in school.”
“I’m Puerto Rican,” he said. “Or can’t you tell the difference?”
She tried to organize an answer, but unfortunately every thought that came in her head sounded just as bad as what she’d already blurted.
“Leave her alone, Angelo,” said a voice behind Dana. She turned and saw a man standing there. Sunlight.
“I was just messing with her,” said Angelo quickly.
“She doesn’t know that,” said Sunlight. “Look at her. She’s about to faint. Or run away.”
Shutters seemed to slam down behind Angelo’s eyes. “I didn’t mean nothing.”
Sunlight came and placed a hand on Angelo’s shoulder and then put his other on Dana’s. His touch was surprisingly warm, and there was a tingle as if some kind of electric charge passed from his hand and into her skin. She shivered. From the amused smile on the corners of Sunlight’s mouth, she realized that he understood the effect and owned it.
“Tell the young lady you’re sorry,” suggested Sunlight.
“No,” Dana said quickly. “It was all me. I said something stupid and I’m really sorry.”
“Angelo…?” murmured Sunlight. “Are you going to let the lady take responsibility for all the negativity in the air?”
Angelo’s body language changed. He lost the cat grace and assurance and stood there almost meekly. He was twice as muscular as Sunlight, but he seemed to be less than half as powerful. Sunlight’s energy was very old, too, very adult, and Angelo seemed cowed by it.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“It’s okay,” said Dana. “Really.”
Sunlight patted Angelo’s shoulder. “That was gracious of you. Now go tell Corinda that Ms. Scully would like to speak with her.”
“How do you know my name?” asked Dana, surprised.
“How could I not?” he said with mild amusement. “One of the famous Scully sisters. Between you and Melissa, you may be Corinda’s biggest customers. I see you two holding court at the booth behind the counter quite often.”
“Oh.”
“And lately Corinda has become fascinated by you.” Sunlight gestured and Dana glanced over to see Corinda at the register chatting animatedly to a very fat, very rich-looking woman with blue hair and lots of jewelry.
Angelo went back to work, taking books from the open box and stacking them on a table. Sunlight lightly touched Dana’s arm and they moved a few yards away.
“I apologize for anything Angelo might have said to offend you,” said Sunlight. “He’s a little thin-skinned.”
“No, it’s totally fine. He wasn’t bothering me,” said Dana. “I knocked something over and he caught it. He grabbed it so fast, before it could fall. I’ve never seen anyone move that fast.”
“Oh, yes, he’s quick,” agreed Sunlight. “But so is his temper. He’s used to being kicked around because of his skin color and his circumstance.”