Читать книгу BORDER JUSTICE - Aubrey Smith - Страница 6

Not a thank you, kiss my foot or nothing, Sierra thought as Randy’s old truck sped away from her house. The sun was breaking the horizon as she tried to push her hair into some kind of order.

“He could have at least walked me to the door,” she muttered aloud. Quickly smoothing her dress as best she could, she started toward the small weather-beaten frame house. Suddenly the door flew open. Her dad stormed into the front yard.

“Donde diablos estabas? Where have you been?” He didn’t wait for an answer before shouting, “Your mother and I’ve been worried sick about you. We’ve called the hospital in Rio City. We even called the Sheriff’s Department to see if you’d been killed in a wreck. Sierra, what have you been doing half the night? It’s almost daylight.”

“We were just riding around and talking.” There was no good answer and she knew it. Looking at the ground she mumbled, “That’s all.”

“Get in the house before all the neighbors have something to talk about.”

When she ran into the house, she saw her mother sitting on the couch. She knew she couldn’t face her. She looked at her and started to cry as she ran on through the front door and straight to the room that she shared with her two sisters. Quickly she closed the door behind her.

Sandra was already dressed and sitting on her bed. It was Saturday morning. Sandra worked weekends, seven to three at the cafe their father owned. She had on blue jeans and a checkered western style shirt that was too big for her. Her steady boy friend, Gilbert had given it to her last week for her birthday. Sandra had worn it almost every day. Rosemary, the youngest of the three Lara sisters, was still asleep.

“Where have you been?” Sandra asked. “Mom and Dad have been worried sick about you. Have you lost your mind or are you just stupid?”

“We’ve just been riding around and talking.”

“Give me a break. Don’t lie to me. Look at you. Any fool could tell you’ve been parked, making out. You smell like a brewery. You’re in some deep crap I can tell you that.”

The bedroom door opened. Anna Lara came in and quietly closed it behind her.

“Okay, young lady where have you been and what have you been doing?”

“Nothing Mama, I swear.”

“Sierra, please don’t lie to me. You’ve been a good daughter. For you to stay out all night like an alle y cat is almost unbelievable. Then here you are coming home with the sun for all the neighbors to see. And you’ve been drinking! Look at your dress. You’ve thrown up on it the first time you’ve ever worn it. Oh Sierra.”

Sierra started to cry. Her mother came and sat beside her on the bed. “Mama, I swear, all we did was ride around and talk. I’m sorry it’s so late, I just forgot. Randy had some Sangria. I had one glass, that’s all, I swear. With all that we had to eat and drink at the prom and then the glass of wine, I got sick. That’s all Mama. I swear. That’s all that happened. That old truck got hot and he had to get some water before we could drive it on home. He couldn’t even stop and walk me to the door because it was still getting hot. He had to keep it going. Mama, I swear that’s all there is to tell.”

“Go on and get that dress off. I’ll soak it in some cold water.” Her mother’s voice was cold and sharp. “Sandra, you go on to work. Sierra, go take a bath and clean up. Then you and I are going to help your father get people out to vote. We promised and we’re going to keep our commitment. You know how important it is to all of us to help Rey Garza get elected Sheriff of Rio County.”

Sierra wiped her face and went into the bathroom where she removed the wrinkled and stained dress that she had been so proud of last night. Now it seemed to be a haunting reminder of a night that had gone so wrong. Her panties were torn. She stuffed them into her purse so she could throw them away later without anyone seeing them. After she had slipped into a blue and gray housecoat, she went back into the bedroom and gave her mother the dress.

“I’m sorry Mama.”

Anna didn’t say anything, but took the dress and left the bedroom. Rosemary was still asleep and was totally unaware of the strain that seemed to cover every corner of the room. Sandra shook her head in disbelief and followed their mother out the door.

“What a horrible night. And I’m sure today will be no better,” Sierra said half aloud and went to soak for as long as she could. She remembered she had promised her dad to help him today. She knew it was important to get everyone out to vote for Rey. He’s a nice man and we’ve all had enough of sheriffs like Red Smart, she thought.