WARNING - STRONG LANGUAGE. READER DISCRETION ADVISED.

David was once again left to ponder the best course of action to take. Now he felt guilty about wanting to leave and questioning why or what he wanted to leave too. The positive of this was that now he didn't feel as responsible about the condition that the family was in and for his mother's death.

Grams was right. He had seen many families devastated by fallen soldiers, or victims of warlords, or crime. He always told those who were close to the fallen, that they were experiencing survivor's guilt. He had been told the same by a counselor when he was young but still, it was something he had to battle with from time to time.

It turned out David needed the pep talk after his talk with Liz, and Grams true to her nature, was there. But he still needed to find his place back home. Although Grams had said he didn't need to contribute, David felt useless and wanted to feel like he was making an impact. Some sort of a difference. There was someone he still wanted to talk to and had the info from Grams about where he might be able to reach them. But he still needed to get more details.

He would also need to do something about the cast but didn't want to worry about it just yet. David waited for Cheeto to see if he would make his way over like he had in the past but after about an hour David decided to go out on his own.

"The one time I actually want Cheeto to show up, he doesn't," David lamented.

It was early, around nine in the morning when David headed out to look for the only people he thought would have all the information he needed The Capt'n and Ramba. The morning was just as all the others had been. The sun shining down on the streets below with the promise of a good day, except for those who had things to do to be wasted indoors. The click and clatter of the kids going to school with their mothers walking the little ones to the local elementary reminded David of the few instances his mother walked him with Liz in tow to his elementary school in Mexico.

He didn't remember much why they were there and why they even came back to the States. He did remember loving his childhood back there. How things were so much easier for him there. He remembered things being much calmer and even his mom and dad being happier. They weren't there for long since David was back in the U.S. by the time he was eight or so.

David remembered these changes being sudden. He spoke English before returning to the states because of his parents teaching both Liz and him. But Spanish was what they spoke predominantly as kids. The adjustment was difficult to make form speaking English as a second language to having to speak it primarily in school and everywhere else.

Suddenly losing all of his school friends and the world he knew for this more complicated city was a lot to handle as kids. That's why Liz follower her big brother so much back then. She too was uprooted and didn't know much more than her older brother who was the only consistent face familiar to her other than her parents.

Those early years were very confusing and hectic for them. But at the end of the day they always counted on seeing each other and knowing there was at least one other person there who understood what the other had gone through. And that made it alright for one more day.

David made it to a freeway entrance he remembered Capt'n hanging around back in the day. Upon reaching the spot and seeing Capt'n still roaming, David smiled seeing that not everything had changed.

"Hey Sargent Pepper! Hahaha" shouted the Capt'n upon seen David.

"Or maybe Colonel Sanders!" the Capt'n said clearly euphoric on something though not alcohol, or drugs. He was high on life. Every accomplishment no matter how small, gave the Capt'n reason to celebrate and appreciate life. Even making it through the night. Seeing a new player on the scene was enough cause for the Capt'n to smile. He got to meet a lot of new people every day being on the streets and this too gave him joy.

"I always liked Corporal Punishment," said David smiling back at the Capt'n as he approached him.

"Ay si muy carbon (Yeah sure badass)!" said the Capt'n.

"Capt'n, you said you were the person to come to for information right?"

"Hmmm yeah but you know info aint cheap. It's gonna cost you some," said the Capt'n never one to miss an opportunity.

"Well of course not, I wouldn't have expected anything less," said David with a smile.

"What you want to know young man?"

"I'm looking for Clyde Johnson. I heard he may have a car shop. Was wondering if you had any info on where I could find him?"

"El Profe (The Professor)? Oh-man come on! I thought you was gonna have a challenge for me. Shit you could have asked your camote (homeboy) for that one. Didn't Cheeto tell you he used to work for him back in the day till he got fired?" said the Capt'n surprised at the ease of David's request. David too was surprised at the ease of finding Clyde and particularly the close relation he had to him.

"Of course Cheeto worked for him," said David.

"Yeah man, your hommie is like the dumpster chonies (underwear). All the bums try him on and toss him out! Hahaha," said the Capt'n.

"Thanks for the visual," said David.

"Oh if you want I can show you mine," the Capt'n said throwing a pair at David.

"No thank you....God damnit!" said David trying to dodge what had been thrown at him.

"Hahaha relax son. You too stiff. It's just an old rag I found somewhere."

"That's not any better," said David distancing himself of off the remnants of the cloth.

"Ni pa' tanto (No big deal). I wash that cloth if you can believe it. Actually, dale paqua (hand it over). I need that for work!"

David complied with a look of bewilderment which the Capt'n was quick to address.

"No me des esa cara de chango tapado (Don't give me that face of a constipated monkey). Yes I work believe it or not. I'm not out here asking for handouts. I use it to clean cars, window and other surfaces abstained by grit and muck for any proprietor to compensate me accordingly. In other words, I clean shit with it," said the Capt'n to David's amusement.

"I don't think that is what that really means," thought David but figured he'd rather be on his way than mess with this issue any further.

"No, no that's good. You gotta do what you gotta do. I can respect that," said David.

"Yeah. Don't kid yourself young gun. Being a bum is no cheap ride. There a lot of expenses associated with it."

"Hmm you don't say," said David as he was educated on the subject.

"Oh for sure! There are expenses, and meals, and facilities that have to be paid for with cold hard cash. Which brings me to the matter at hand. Just how much is this info worth to you?" asked the Capt'n.

"But you just told me Cheeto knows where to find Clyde," said David teasing the old man.

The Capt'n soon realized the follies of his plan and protested.

"Oh yeah but...you didn't know that and it was a gentleman's agreement."

David was not going to stiff the Capt'n but was giving him a hard time as a payback for the whole rag thing.

"Hmm I guess. Well, all I have is ten bucks," said David offering up the bill he had in his wallet.

"Que!? Diez pinches dollares (What!? ten fucking dollars)? No hombre esta mas jodido que yo (No man you are more screwed than me)," said the Capt'n scoffing at the offer.

"It's all I have on me," said David smiling to reaffirm the veracity of his offer.

"No pues mejor quedatelos (No well you keep them then). Los necessitas mas que yo (You need them more than I do)," said the Capt'n handing back the bill to David.

"But you do owe me a beer and a good lunch next time," said the Capt'n as he proceeded to provide David with the location of the shop and direction on how to get there.

"Do you know the name of the shop?" asked David.

"No but trust me, you'll know it when you see it. Can't miss it!"

"Okay. Thank you again," said David as he started to head out.

"Aren't you going to wait for your boy? He should be here in a minute. He always comes on Wednesday with breakfast burritos for me and Ramba."

"He does?" asked David.

"Oh yeah! He gets the shittiest, cheapest, nastiest ones he can find but I'm not going to say no to them."

"Not this time. But enjoy your breakfast," said David as he parted.

"Sure will boss," said the Capt'n as he saluted David away.

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