5
There were twelve boys in Cottage 9, ranging in age from fourteen to sixteen. Down the spine of each binder file ran a typed label that gave the boy’s blood type and stated that he was or was not allergic to penicillin: a large YES or NO. On the first page of each file was a photo of the child, and underneath, a description of his body: his hair and eye and skin color, dark-skinned, yellow, olive, ruddy, freckled, fair, white. His height and weight, distinguishing marks. Keloid scars on left shoulder and back; burn marks on backs of both hands; puncture scarring on right cheek; acne scars on face and upper back. Race: black, mulatto, white, white ethnic, Spanish, Jewish, Oriental. I longed for the specificity blotted out by Spanish. How many Dominicans?
The room filled with caseworkers
