"Go on now. Go inside and play with the rest of the kids," she said solemnly.

"This is where T.J. and the other guys would hang around. This is where they pick my kids out from," said Claudia as she stood up looking at Allen run inside. "I've seen these guys too," she told David.

"One of the guy's name was J. I heard one of other one's say," said David.

"That's probably T.J.'s brother. I've heard his name before. Damnit! I can never get them. The police can't do anything because they are minors and I never have any evidence that they are passing that trash around to the other kids. That's why we have a zero tolerance policy, but if you kick these kids out where are they supposed to go? Out there with them?" she said again becoming agitated by the frustration.

"I've seen sooo many kids being taken in. I hate it!" she continued.

"It's hard. I know," said David.

"You can't save them all though," he continued trying to comfort Claudia. This, however, did not have the intended effect.

"Ugh, I hate that mentality. They are not plants, they are not..snails out in the rain trying to cross the sidewalk! They are human beings, all of them!" Claudia said gesturing animatedly.

"We should save all of them!" the sincerity of youth and optimism still unblemished by the settling disappointment of life emanating from her.

"It's not realistic though," David replied instinctively, not trying to run against her or dampen her spirit. "You just said you've seen kids fall through," he concluded, promptly angering her further.

"Yes and it sucks every time. It shouldn't happen. It's not right. They all matter, we all matter!" she continued.

"I'm not denying that but it's unrealistic to think you can save everyone. Better to not let your hopes up and be disappointed. It's not good for you in the long run," he said.

"That's the saddest thing I thing I have ever heard. I hope you really don't believe that," she replied.

"You will one day too," he said coldly.

"I hope I don't! If so then what's the point? It should hurt to loose anyone. They should make an impact on you. At least that way I'll know I'm alive and not some cold robot like you," she said almost immediately regretting it but still too fed up to back down from her comment.

Officer Garcia walked up to them having been the cruiser who scared off the three dealers moments ago.

"Good afternoon Claudia, David," he greeted them.

"Hi officer," replied Claudia not too excited.

"Good afternoon," greeted David as well.

"I know my kind is not too liked around here but wow, at least the dealers fake it when they see me. Even if they start running after," joked the officer, trying to break the ice.

"Funny you should say that," said David.

"There may be some juveniles across the street selling or trying to sell drugs to the kids. Is there something we can do?" asked David certain he knew the answer but still wanting to pose the question.

"Yes, if we catch them in the act or in position of the illegal substance. Do you have proof?" asked the officer politely.

David knew he did not and so nodded as such.

"Can we at least get a restraining order or something to keep them away?" asked David.

"Ehh, that's hard. They are minors and these are public grounds. Without probable cause we cannot do much. I can't question or search them unless I have probable cause," replied Officer Garcia.

"My word is not enough probable cause?" asked David.

"If you can I.D. them and I find something on them. Problem is most people don't I.D. and if they don't have anything on them, which most of the time they don't since they have other's carry for them, it can be labeled as profiling. I need to catch them in possession, at the time, especially in premises we can do something about it. Otherwise it really hard to make a case. You see anyone doing it?" the Officer asked David.

"No," replied David.

"See. I've gone through all of this before. I have things for the kids to get inside," said Claudia as she walked back to her car. Cheeto was coming out of the Center at this time to greet them, oblivious to what had gone down.

"Y ahora esa cara (What's with the face)?" he asked Claudia noticing her disappointment.

"Don't start with me. O a ti tambie te toca (Or you'll get it too)!" she said warning him.

"Y 'hora yo que (What I do now)?" asked Cheeto surprised by her harsh response.

"What's the matter with her?" Cheeto asked David and Officer Garcia as he approached them.

"She's just upset," offered David without a reason.

"Geez women," said Cheeto offhand.

"Cheeto, you're dumb," David replied.

"You too hom's? I'm just Mr. Popular today. I'm a go back play with the kids. Chingao, aqui uno que se propcupa y lo apprecian no (Damn it, here one's concerned but do they appreciate it)..." Cheeto rambled off as he walked back in to the playground.

"Well, you guys are a friendly bunch," said Officer Garcia as he saw the whole thing go down. He was joking of course but it still was an observation. David looked at him and shrugged his shoulders.

"Anyway, I wanted follow up with you, see how things were going and fill you in on what we have so far from the investigation," said the Officer.

"T.J. no surprise is nowhere to be found. We have talked to his only known relative, a brother by the initial J. I guess the parents were not particular creative there," he joked again.

"Anyway, T.J. has a pretty extensive rap sheet of course. Assault, robbery, possession, and possession with intent to sell, more assault, anyway you get the picture. Soon though he won't be able to get away with so much of this stuff since he'll be turning eighteen in a few months. Probably why he is in hiding. This little stunt would probably be enough to move him to county," said Officer Garcia to an inattentive David who was still thinking of Allen. The words of Clyde and Claudia rung truer now than before.

"Well, that's the lowdown. I also heard you got out of the hospital today and I wanted to stop by, see how you were holding up," said Officer Garcia but David didn't pay much attention to him. He was still staring off. Officer Garcia noticed David lost in thought and stared off into the same direction as David. He leaned close to David who now sensed his presence.

"What are we looking at?" asked Officer Garcia jokingly. Cheeto came back and approached them befuddled by the sight as well.

"You two look dumb," Cheeto said.

"Sorry I was thinking about someone," said David.

"Hey! Check my boy out! Only been here a few days and he already has a girl he's thinking about. My man!" said Cheeto excitedly.

"So who is it? Is it the receptionist? She's kind'a young for you but don't worry, I can make it happen," continued Cheeto as he tapped Officer Garcia with his elbow and smiled.

"Well she better not be too young for him," said the Officer half-jokingly.

"I'm not thinking about a girl," said David dismissively.

"Oh, I guess that's cool if you are into that. I aint gonna judge you. Probably an army thing. No matter I don't think any less of you," said Cheeto encouragingly.

"What?" asked David now the one confused.

"I don't think that's what he means," whispered the Officer to Cheeto.

"Cheeto, be quiet. Where is Claudia when you need her," said David, Cheetos' comments finally dawning on him.

"Yeah where is that girl? Aqui uno esperandola (here one waiting for her), playing with kids and then she just BAMM! Bites my head off. No hi or noting. Just Arg 'Bring in the bags'! Salvaje (Savage)," said Cheeto as he came out to pick up bags from Claudia's car.

"Must be your winning personality," said Officer Garcia.

"Ohh mi poli, usted tambien (you too officer)?" said Cheeto.

"I'm just messing with you. Well, I have to go. I'll try to follow up again with J. and see if there's any news on T.J.'s whereabouts. Don't think too hard David. Gentlemen," said Officer Garcia shaking their hands as he left.

"He's looking for J? That guys is worse than his bro. almost threw me off the roof of some apartments once. It was funny," said Cheeto.

"That's not funny at all," replied David.

"Well not now...You had to be there," said Cheeto.

"I don't know why your little sister wants to join their squad so much," said Cheeto.

"These guys are pretty rough," he continued as David realized that Liz was still at risk. More so now if J. was indeed worse than T.J.

"I have to go Cheeto. Do me a favor, keep an eye on Allen and walk him home," said David as he headed off.

"You leaving already? Dude we just got here. Claudia just got here. I thought we was gonna kick it? And why do I need to walk Allen home?" asked Cheeto.

"My head is hurting and I think some kids were bullying him. He just needs someone there for him," said David leaving.

"Arg, this fool is always going somewhere. What you think you are so important you gotta be everywhere? And now I gotta deal with la leona (lioness) and take the mocoso (bugger face) home. He lives all the way on Stewart. I'm gonna have to take the bus and shit. I aint gonna have time to get my tacos later. Man don't nobody appreciate things?" lamented Cheeto to himself as he picked up the remainder of the bags Claudia brought and headed back inside. Cheeto tried not to use his car since it was not reliable and gas was not cheap. Tacos were, but he would have to go without them this day.

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