Since the shooting, Arturo hasn’t attended school due to police concerns for his safety. Instead, he’s been helping Angel Rocco, or Uncle Raul as he forgets to call him, in the diner below. At the moment, he’s brushing Chuco the mutt, who can’t seem to get enough of his attention. They’ve just come in from a vigorous walk, passing Aleksy’s house from the other side of the street in their travels. The curtains in the front window of the shabby dwelling had been drawn open. He could see the father yelling at his older son, beer in hand.
Arturo wonders about Aleksy’s mother, how she’s coping with her son’s suicide attempt. Maybe he’ll see her tomorrow in the hospital. He settles Chuco in his basket by the window, giving him a treat to chew on before he heads quietly down the stairs that lead
