My Name is Lorenza Born Unafraid

MY NAME IS LORENZA

born unafraid

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real person, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Text copyright c 2017 A. G. Socha

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by, any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without express written

Permission of the author..

Humble, Texas 77338

For my husband, who said, Go write a book! So I did.

CONTENT

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER ONE

The sub-division with its dirty streets and peeling stucco houses was outside of San Diego, but it might as well have been part of Mexico instead of just bordering it. Chain link fences marked off the yards, some with grass, and all with barking dogs. Plants drooped and weeds sprouted up between the cracks in the sidewalk, all in desperate need of rain.

Maria, hoping to escape, opened the front door as her mother’s voice rang out from the kitchen. You go to Elana’s and nowhere else. Just there, do you understand me, Maria? Just Elana’s house!

Maria could hear her mother running water over the soapy dishes and putting them in the rack on the side of the sink.

OK! OK! I heard you, Mama! Only Elana’s and nowhere else.

Maria seeing her reflection in the glass pane of the front door struck a pose, showing off her new womanly figure. Having just turned sixteen, she had filled out in all the right places. Shaking her dark mane of hair, she took out her tube of Ruby Red lipstick and applied it to her lips for the second time. She then trotted down the front steps to the sidewalk.

It was nice of Elana to loan her the skirt and blouse. Her own closet was lacking any new or stylish clothes. Mama had said the skirt was too short, but Maria had explained that all the girls were wearing them shorter. On most days, Maria would go to Elana’s house after school to watch television.

Maria didn’t have a television at her house, but Mama promised to get one this Christmas as a family gift, meaning it would be the only gift Maria would be getting. Mama had a reputation for making promises, but not always keeping them.

What they really needed was a car, any car. Maria had to get up an hour earlier just to catch the school bus. If she wanted to go anywhere else, she had to wait at the bus stop down the street for the city bus to come. Mama was in no hurry to get a car because she always knew exactly where the city buses were, night or day.

Even if she talked her into buying one, they could only afford an old Junker. Maria would rather walk or ride the bus than have her friends see her in an old car with her mama.

The front door of the house opened and her mother, standing on the front porch, called out threatening her if she varied from her itinerary to Elana’s. Maria hurried down her street out of earshot thinking, Why’s she always on me? Why does she have to know every detail? Well, guess what, Mama, tonight’s the night I get to do what I want!

Running a few blocks from her house, Maria saw her two friends waiting for her at the bus stop on the corner.

Have you been waiting long? asked a winded Maria.

Yes! And we were going to catch the next bus without you until we remembered that we have no idea where we’re supposed to meet Elana! We thought you weren’t coming at all. Kenny was not happy with her delay.

Kenny had long black hair, pulled back into a ponytail that hung down his back. His brown eyes, feathered with long eyelashes, were the envy of all the girls at his school. He was handsome and in love with Maria since he could remember.

Kenny had lived next door to her all their lives until he’d moved to another neighborhood the previous year. Kenny’s house had been the same two-bedroom style that Maria and her mother lived in. The difference being Kenny’s mother loved flowers and green grass. The outside of their home was a lush garden, a regular feast for the bees and butterflies that came every day. The bad thing was Kenny had to work in the yard all day Saturday which left little time to go and visit with Maria.

Sundays, they would walk to church together with their families and sit in the same pew, but there was little private time for them to talk. School was Kenny’s only opportunity to be with Maria one on one, but she only considered him her best friend.

When Kenny’s father made foreman at the factory, they sold their house and moved a few miles away to a better neighborhood and a larger house. Kenny’s only stipulation for the move was staying in the same school district as Maria. He was smart, always making the principal’s honor roll and was active in school events, but had two left feet when it came to sports. Kenny was one of the most popular boys in school and could have had his pick of girlfriends, but he wanted Maria.

Sorry, but I couldn’t get free of Mama without giving her every detail of where I was going. I hate lying, but she’s driving me crazy. She’s always been protective but never like the past few months. I feel like a prisoner in my own home.

Yeah, OK! Rosalie interrupted. Mama still has her umbilical cord tied to you. We get it. On to more important things, like where’re we going tonight?

I have the address, right here in my pocket. Maria pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her skirt.

It says, ‘Club Felix, 2966 Navarro St. in Tijuana’. Do either of you know where this club is?

Who cares? We’ll find it. I’m sure the bus driver knows where it is and he’s coming now.

Rosalie waved at the bus to stop. The bus pulled over and when the door opened, Rosalie asked the driver if he knew where Club Felix was and if the bus went there.

Nope, that’s across the border. Navarro’s in a bad part of Tijuana. Why do you kids wanna go into a gang infested area anyway?

Why do you care, Grandpa? Does this bus go close enough for us to walk the rest of the way?

Rosalie was getting argumentative and Kenny knew he needed to step in before the driver got angry with her and left them there.

We’re meeting our friend and she’s really counting on us to be there. Seeing how we’re already late, could you take us as far as you can? Please, we would really appreciate it.

The bus driver reluctantly nodded OK and they boarded the bus. It was crowded with workers going home after their shift at the factory and the smell of their plastic bags, filled with rejected tortillas, quickly became overwhelming in such a small enclosure.

My God! I’m going to gag and throw up if some of these beaners don’t get off this bus soon! Rosalie stuck her finger down her throat in a mock gag.

I’d be careful using that word, if I were you, girlie! came a gruff reply from someone sitting behind her.

I can call you a beaner because I’m as much one as you! I just don’t choose to smell like one! Turning in her seat to face the person behind her, she started to stand up. Rosalie was never known to back down on anything she chose to say or do.

Rosalie stood five feet ten inches tall, towering over both Kenny and Maria. One got the feeling that NO! was her first word and YOU CAN’T MAKE ME! her first sentence.

Unlike Maria’s curly hair, Rosalie’s black hair was parted in the middle and ironed flat. She had taken her mother’s favorite colored scarf and used it as a belt to hold up her jeans, letting the excess hang down her leg. Large silver hoop earrings hung so low they almost reached her shoulders. Hands with long red fingernails gripped the back of her seat, as she steadied herself against the movements of the bus.

Rosalie and Elana were only friends because their fathers worked together in some sort of business venture. She didn’t know what it was and didn’t really care, as long as her father kept money in her checking account. The three of them would have been driving to the club if she had not had her car taken away due to failing a midterm exam. Taking a city bus was beneath her status and she hoped no one she knew saw her.

Things were heating up between the man and Rosalie, when Kenny came to the rescue once again.

My mom and dad and uncles work at the tortilla factory. Maybe you know them? Dad’s a supervisor in the buying department and Mom works in shipping. They’ve been there since the factory opened and know the owner, Mr. Alvarez, very well. My Dad’s name is Ramon Garcia and I’m Kenny Garcia.

The man behind Rosalie grunted at her and looked away. Rosalie rolled her eyes, sat back down, throwing her head back to one side, as if to say, You better look away, mister!

Soon the bus came to a stop and most of the passengers got off, including the man behind Rosalie. Maria and Kenny didn’t say anything to Rosalie, having learned their lesson from past experiences. The bus drove on and stopped at the border crossing. The driver turned to Kenny.

This is as far as I go. I’ll make you kids a deal. If you let me take you back home, you can ride for free. I don’t feel right about leaving you here at the border and certainly not where you’re going. What’ll you say, OK?

I say, mind your own business. We’re getting off here, Rosalie barked, as she reached for the handle that opened the door to the bus.

Kenny and Maria looked at the bus driver and mouthed silently, sorry, as they followed Rosalie down the bus steps and onto the pavement. The bus driver waited a few minutes, in case they changed their minds, then finally turned around and drove away, shaking his head.

The border crossing was busy as workers from San Diego, going home for the weekend, were lined up with their bags, suitcases, and papers ready to be checked through. Cars filled with crying children and arguing passengers were honking for the vehicle line to move faster.

Guards with dogs were checking the entry into the U.S. for food, plants, and drugs. Mexican music played loudly from the low riders, showing off their cars, as they waited for their girlfriends to return for the weekend. The border was busy all the time, but on Friday nights, it was utter mayhem.

None of the three teenagers had any papers allowing them into Mexico. In fact, this was the first time Kenny and Maria had ever been at the crossing on foot. They had visited relatives in Mexico before, but always by car and with the driver having the necessary entry papers. Both of them looked at an unconcerned Rosalie with an explanation look.

Their turn to talk to the guards came up and Rosalie took one aside and gave him something in his hand and a kiss on the cheek. The guard let them pass and smiled at Rosalie.

Who was that? Kenny asked, looking back at the guard.

Just someone I know. I won’t be going back to San Diego tonight.

How’ll we get back across the border without you? Maria asked nervously.

Rosalie looked at her impatiently and said, Because my friend’s paying his friend to let you through. Why do you think I gave him money tonight? Can you two pick up the pace and walk faster? I see the club about two blocks down. Get a move on it.

The streets were covered with scattered litter from overturned trash cans and empty beer bottles rolled against the curb, clanging as they made contact. Gang members and drug dealers leaned up against broken fences and parked cars, waiting for their customers. Dogs howled, as sirens wailed in the distance. The club, with its worn-out décor and faded name painted across the front of the building, came into view.

Why did Elana want us to come to this club anyway? Looking around, Kenny was confused and apprehensive about the location of the club.

Her cousin Ricky’s in a band and wanted her to come hear him play, Rosalie explained as she pulled the bar door open and stepped inside.

Elana was standing just inside the doorframe and they nearly knocked her down when they entered.

Well, it’s about time you got here! I’ve been standing at this door through Ricky’s whole first set, afraid you were lost or not coming! Clearly, upset, Elana wagged her finger at Rosalie.

It’s my fault, Elana. Mama’s on my case again; she almost didn’t let me out of the house. Maria’s confession calmed Elana down.

Following Elana into the main bar, they took a seat at her table, near the stage. Ricky was finishing his first set. The large crowd was composed of people of all different ages, but none as young as Maria and Kenny. One of the bouncers started over to ask their ages when Ricky saw him, and waved him away.

Ricky, over here! Elana called Ricky over to the table. Come meet my friends.

Ricky was the epitome of what one would imagine an Elvis wannabe singer would look like. Jet-black hair slicked back on each side, ducktail in the back, a pompadour front and the telltale letter C curl on his forehead. Jeans so tight, they looked like they were sewn on him, paired with a sequined red shirt, all held together by a gold lame’ belt. He had made this his signature look and wore it everywhere he performed. Sliding in between Kenny and Maria, he immediately took over the conversation and had eyes only for Maria.

Maria was practically hypnotized by all the personal attention she was getting from this older man, who was the star of the show. When Ricky ordered beer for all of them, he encouraged Maria to drink as many as she could.

"Oh, come on Maria, beer is good for you. Since I