sinning!”
        Maya shouted back, “I’m not sinning, Mom!” Then she and Brian bolted off, toppling rocks and thrashing through weeds, eventually breaking into laughter, their faces contorted, their lungs aching. They ran like outlaws, dust rising and settling on their sweaty skin. When they’d gone a long way, they stopped and rested below Yanonali Street, their hearts pounding. In a minute it was very still, the only sound being an occasional cricket. Their breathing slowed and their sweat dried and they became almost drowsy. Then they heard Simpática again.
        “Maya!”
        Maya lurched, thumping Brian in the jaw so he bit his tongue deeply and tasted the salty blood in his mouth.
        “We gotta go!” she urged.
        They scaled up the incline and ran up Yanonali Street all the way to Soledad. “This way,” Brian said, pointing. “We can hide at my house!”

END