Both officers left and a feeling of disappointment was felt by both Claudia and Cheeto. David noticing their gloom, tried to reassure them.

"Don't worry about it, it'll be fine. We did our part," he said.

"I've never felt like this before. I've never had a bad experience with the police before," the disheartened Claudia said in genuine bewilderment at what had just transpired.

"I told you. Cops don't give a damn about us. Ni pa que llamarles (No reason to call them)," said Cheeto without any enjoyment in being right. Renewed validation that his assumptions were correct sullen him, and like a bone chilling breeze in the middle of the night, reminded him that in this town he was alone.

"And nobody said anything either. Everyone just turned away!" Claudia was almost more irate at this than the apparent indifference of the officers.

"Ah that's cuz they don't want to be deported or they got warrants," said Cheeto as a way to excuse them.

"That won't happen. They should not be afraid of the police. They are here to protect us, they should be," she said almost trying to convince herself of that now.

"Que protecsion, mejor aqui mi carnal, que putisa les pusistes! (What protection, hommie here is better, you fucked them up good!)" said Cheeto once again smiling and shifting the gloom filled tone to a lighter one.

"That's how we do it here in the hood, we handle our own," shouted Cheeto as he patted David in the back.

"We?" countered David.

"Yeah man I was there too. I got one good. Bamm! Right in the face," he said throwing a fist.

"No, we should not have to 'handle' anything. Things like this should not happen in a society. This isn't a dumb comic book. These are real people and real lives. We can't go around fighting. People get hurt and lives are lost to stupid things like that." Claudia continued.

"And this is real life," said David.

"Some people don't follow decency and count on others to be afraid to speak up to them and you can't always count on the law to arrive on time or be good enough. Sometimes you have to stand up on your own. That too is real life." It was the first time he had directly contradicted Claudia this vocally. She did not like this.

"I don't agree with that. It upsets me that things can be that way and that you would think that is alright," she said.

"I never said I thought that was alright, but that is the reality of the situation. Anyway, I have to get going now" he replied.

"What man, so early? Que (What) past your bed time?" said Cheeto.

"You could say that. Parties are not my thing and I'm tired," David replied.

"Dude you like an old person, pinche Viejo (freaking old man). Don't be scared bro. Them boys won't be coming back," half jokingly said Cheeto.

"I'm pissing myself," replied David sarcastically.

"No wait he's right though, you can't leave by yourself. What if they are waiting for you? We'll come with you," said Claudia.

"Que!? Pero el party? (What? And the party?)" whined Cheeto.

"This party is over for us, we can't let him leave by himself..." Claudia said as they begun to argue again.

"I'll be fine!" shouted out David knowing by now that this was the only way to get their attention in this scenario.

"I really doubt that they have been waiting for over an hour all banged up just to jump me around the corner. Especially with the police having just been here, "he reasoned.

"Hombre, will you stop being so macho and just wait. I will come with you," volunteered Claudia.

"How is that helping me in you scenario?" David asked her.

"Excuse me?" replied Claudia insulted.

"No it's OK. Stay, enjoy the rest of the party. I'm not too far from home, and I'll take the well-lit areas if that makes you feel better," he said jokingly.

"That's not funny. I really don't think you should go off by yourself," she replied.

"I grew up here. Don't worry I know these streets very well," he reassured her.

"Things have changed," she tried to reason with him.

"Ya dejalo, (leave him alone), he's a big boy he knows what he's doing. Let's go back to the party, there's some chicken in there that's been calling my name!" said Cheeto.

"Fine, but be safe and here. Call this number when you get home. That's my number. Don't lose it," she said with a little smile.

"Don't worry I won't," David replied.

"You sure you don't want to stay?" she asked on more time, perhaps a little worried or perhaps not wanting to see him go.

"Yes, too much excitement for me," he replied.

David didn't want to admit it but he was worried of leaving Grams and Liz alone, even though they had lived there longer than he had by now. He was also worried about where Liz was and wanted to make sure she was fine. It was a sensation he wasn't sure as to why it compelled him so.

He said his goodbyes and left into the night.

n