*IT* went on like this: Mona, being the youngest of thirteen children, walked to the Jacobo household that fateful evening to pick up a few things. The Ramos family was preparing a large dinner party for the barrio's cockfighting community, of which Stupid Samuel's parents were also members.

"Mona, go get mantiquilla from Mrs. Jacobo," said Alicia, the eldest, asking her sister to grab a tub of butter because it's missing from their refrigerador, which in the village, was more of a luxury than a necessity.

"Mona, go get patatas  too," Benita, the second child, chimed in. 

"Mona, also go get some queso," added Cecilia, the third one, because apparently they also needed some cheese.

"Mona, go get some tazas  and platos," said the fourth daughter Divina, noticing their lack of cups and plates. 

And so with these instructions and a pair of sandals, Mona dutifully crossed the field skipping, not because of child-like playfulness, but because of the threat posed by snakes at her feet. 

Stupid Samuel was standing stark naked when he opened the door to his hut. A furious rapping had roused him from sleep. It was only Mona, no one of importance, but a pain in the neck, a fritanga. 

"Buenas noches," she said. 

He nodded, not bothering to return the greeting. 

"They want me...." she started and shoved the makeshift list under his nose, which was then itching uncontrollably. 

"Mi mama no es aquí. Papa's also not here. It's Sábado." 

"Sí, lo sé, pero..." Mona knew that on Saturdays, Señora Jacobo accompanied her husband to the cockfighting game, as her parents were also there betting on crazy-eyed chickens, hoping to win some money so they can have an excuse to buy more alcohol.

Mona would have tugged at Stupid Samuel's sleeves if he had sleeves, but since he was bare, she got his attention by placing her fingers on his pre-pubescent chest. Stupid Samuel recoiled from her touch. This wasn't because he disliked Mona, no. It's because nobody except his father, and of course, himself, would ever want to lay a hand on Stupid Samuel.