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CHAPTER EIGHTErnesto’s mother checked her wallet. It had been in her purse, which was between her and Sarah as they drove to Cardinal Street. Sometime during the short drive, the wallet left her purse, and wallet and purse wound up on the floor.
“Oh no!” Maria Sandoval cried. “I had twenty dollars in my wallet and, now it’s gone.”
Abel was still there, standing in the driveway with Ernesto. Abel stared at Ernesto. “Ernie, you hear what your mom’s saying? That kid ripped off twenty from her purse!”
“Oh my!” Ernesto’s mother moaned. “I hate to think that, but the purse was on the seat between me and Sarah. And the twenty was in there. I hate to lose twenty dollars, but I didn’t actually see her take it. I don’t want to get the girl in any trouble. She seems to be in a bad enough pl
