Palming the money, he turned away from the counter. “Is she your wife?” Without waiting for an answer, he said, “She speaks Spanish. “She comes in all the time with that young lady,” the man continued. His arms dropped to his sides, and he suddenly seemed less tall behind the counter. “That cute bebe from across the street? That’s your daughter?” Crow’s feet deepened around his eyes, and smile lines etched around his mouth. “Daughter?” The man perked up, his brown eyes suddenly bright. “Sir,” he began, “I really just need the syrup.” He jerked a thumb at the door. With the weather so cold, those who didn’t work were tucked deep in their houses. At that time of morning, most people were already at work. “I don’t even think my mother speaks Spanish,” Max said, dropping his arm from the counter. The man, who Max was beginning to think was also the owner of the store, stroked his mustache with a thick finger. “I just don’t, okay?” He tapped the five dollar bill on the counter. “I just want the syrup, man,” he said.Ĭocking his head, the man snorted. “You don’t speak Spanish, though.” He crossed his arms and stared down his nose at Max. “Of course I speak English, pendejo ,” the man said. Max opened his eyes, his mouth dropping open in surprise. The scent of cooking food reached his nostrils, and his eyelids grew heavy.
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