I felt hyper so i typed up another chapter. Enjoy, since this doesn't happen very often. Any and all translations are on the bottom. As they will be for the rest of the chapters.

Chapter 1

And that was the whole thing that started it all. And now I sit here, in the passenger seat of Giggles' Volkswagen bus. Or the Stoner Van as it was so justly nicknamed. People didn't call it that much since Little Sleepy was born. They said that Giggles was a mom now. In our group of home girls she was like the mom. But I guess since me and her we were heading north Sad Girl would have to step it up.

My replacement cane was resting in between my legs. Giggles had taped up my neck. She had practically beat me with my spare cane to get me to pack up my stuff. My dyed dark red hair was put up in two low ponytails. My knee pain was dulled, probably thanks to the bowl I had smoked in the back of the van. There was a front seat, where me and Giggles were sitting. Little Sleepy was strapped into his baby seat behind us. And behind that there was the carpeted back. You could lay out back there. There was even a mattress that you could roll out. Our bags were back there.

I had a black and blue plaid triangle shaped scarf wrapped around my neck to cover up the bandage. I didn't want to look at it. And I didn't want other people staring at it either. I had enough with the cane.

Giggles was helping me run away. I think she was also fulfilling the promise she had made to Big Sleepy to go meet up with his family and let 'em know 'hey, just so you know, I'm like your cousin or sumin'. Well it probably wasn't those exact words but the essence is the same. I maneuvered myself so I could take a look at Little Sleepy. The little cholo was out cold. The little guy was cute, he'll grow up to be quite the heartbreaker if I do say so myself. The bite on my neck burned every now and then. But I guess I'm just healing, y'know? Giggles didn't have any family back in LA, same as me. She never knew what happened to them; she was raised by her abuela and once she died Giggles was on her own. Living in the same house she was raised.

"I've been thinking." I said after a too long silence.

"You've been thinking esa? Damn, don't hurt yourself." She said not even looking away from the road ahead of her. I rolled my eyes.

"Callate, pinche. I been thinking since we're on the run and shit we need new names. Y'know? Something classy like Bonnie and Clyde."

"Whatever esa, I think I'll stick with Giggles. But you go on ahead Clyde. And we're not on the run, we're visiting family." She said and laughed. Whatever you say pinche.

"Your family not mine, esa. I ain't got no family" I said as a matter 'o' factually. Now she looked at me. Then she punched me in the arm.

"Chinga! What the hell, puta?" I said and rubbed my arm.

"Don't you say that, School Girl. You're practically my sister, so callate la boca about that. This is Sleepy's family, so this is my family, so this is your family. Entiendes?" she said. I nodded. She looked ahead at the road. And awkward silence fell over the car, the only noises being Little Sleepy's steady breathing.

"Hey, Giggles? Can we stop soon? I'm starved!" I said. She looked over at me. I smiled sweetly. The gift of food was a peace offering. I really was hungry.

I got tired after we ate, it was Taco Bell I had a crunchwrap and about half a dozen tacos. So I fell asleep in the back. I guess I slept for a long time since I felt that the van had stopped. I sat up from my spot on the bed and noticed that Giggles was leaning her head on the steering wheel. She was quiet.

"Giggles? You okay? Where we at?" I asked. She didn't lift up her head to answer me.

"I did some research. This is the house of the only living family Sleepy had." She said, her voice sounding small. I dragged myself closer to her and leaned against the seats for support. I looked out the window and saw that we were parked on the side of the street near this little house that looked like it could use a fresh coat of paint, or two, or seven.

"You nervous? Is that what this is? Come on pinche I thought you were better than this. What happened to the girl that flat out convinced the cops to let me out of lockup for my grandma's funeral. Even though she's been dead since before I was born. You're strong. And Sleepy knew that, that's why he loved you! Now come on esa, let's go in there and show those people what Sleepy did for himself." I said finishing with my little speech and lowering myself down to the floor. I leaned against the side of the van and tried to sooth my aching leg. I popped a cigarette into my mouth. I lit it and took a puff.

"So, come on puta. S'cgo" I said. I took a puff of my cigarette. Then another. She looked up from the steering wheel. I raised my eyebrow at her. "We going or not, pendeja?"

I scooted myself over to the doors on the side of the van and popped them open. I retrieved my cane and used it to stagger up from the van. I looked around. This place was white. Way to white. Even one of the cars in the driveway was white. A layer of snow covered everything. I ain't ever seen snow except for up in the mountains. I kinda wanted to go and roll around in it. But I don't think my knee would like that very much. I heard the van doors open and shut, then open and shut again. I slammed the side doors shut and limped my way towards the front of the house. Giggles was a couple of steps in front of me with the baby in her arms.

She reached the front door and paused, waiting for me. Sometimes I really hated being a cripple. But I guess it's something I'm gunna have to deal with for the rest of my life. I heard people inside. Sounded like a big happy family. Something neither of us ever had. She looked at me. I gave her an encouraging smile, leaning on my cane. The weather here. It's cold, really friggin cold. I was wearing a pair of large grey sweatpants, they were rolled up at the top a couple times but the legs still bunched up around my blue beat up old vans. They used to be neon, two years ago when I got 'em. I really need new shoes. The cold was hurting me knee. Why didn't I get the stupid surgery when Spooky offered?

"Go on, pinche" I said. The cold was ebbing through the black hoodie I was wearing, and I only had on a tank top under that. They don't prepare you for Washington winter back in Echo Park. The noise in the house seemed to stop. She looked at me annoyed. I gestured my hand towards the door. Go on it said. Her closed fist hovered hesitantly over the door. She held it there.

I heard some noises from inside the house. The door was flung open from the inside. In the doorway stood a very tall Native American man. He had to lean down to look at us. He looked…incredibly threatening. Cabron looked a lot like Sleepy. I think Giggles thought the same because I heard her take a painful breath. I threw her a comforting look. I didn't want her to get all upset over Sleepy again. Then I would to. I did miss Sleepy a lot, although definitely not as much as Giggles.

"Can I help you?" asked the not so gentle looking giant in a deep voice. Giggles took a deep breath.

"Well, yes there is. I'm here looking for a man named Samuel Uley. Is he here?" she asked him. He took a good long look at her. And the baby. Then he turned his attention to me. He was looking at my cane. I just knew it. I hated when people stared at my cane.

"Take a fucking picture pendejo it'll last longer" I spat out. He stared at me. He started shaking just like Sleepy used to. Was this cabron Sam Uley? Giggles glared at me.

"Now is not the time, pinche. Be nice. I'm sorry 'bout her. Y'know teenagers these days" she said and laughed nervously.

"Hey esa, don't apologize for-"

"Callate" Giggles interrupted me. I stayed quite this time. I stared on the ground. Pretended to be interested in the hole that was starting to form in the toe of my shoe. The wind blew and I shivered. Giggles started talking again.

"Is here or not? I find that the matter at hand is important." She said. She sounded too sweet. I could tell though that she just wanted to find the dude and then get the hell out of there. The man shifted nervously from foot to foot in the door way. I looked up from the shoes and watched as he glanced inside. Little Sleepy started fussing around in Giggles' hands. The man gave us a look that was full of pity. But who wouldn't if they opened the door and found a young mother without a father for her baby, and a teenager who got shot and now has to walk around everywhere with a goddamned cane?

"Sure, I guess. Come in, he's in the living room" he said and pointed us the way inside. Giggles went in first. Then I went in, leaning heavily on my left leg, my good one. The hallway was narrow. The giant followed behind us and shut the door. The hallway opened up to what I guess was the living room. It had a couple of couches and an arm chair. On the couches sat what looked like clones of Sleepy, and the man at the door. Another man sat on the armchair a women sitting in his lap. On her face were some horrible looking scars. Poor thing. A couple of the guys had women with them. I saw one girl, who didn't look like she was anyone's girl. As a matter of fact, she looked angry just at being there. I think I would like this girl. A couple of the guys on the couches got up in order to give us a place to sit. I noticed that before they did that they looked to the guy in the armchair. That bothered me. It was as if they could only do things with his okay.

The two guys that had vacated their seats were seated next to each other so me and Giggles sat down next to each other. I fell onto the couch heavily glad to give my knee a rest. Giggles sat down a little more gracefully. One of the guys that had gotten up was now staring at her. Well, everyone was staring at us, but he was staring directly at her. Just like the way Sleepy used to stare at her. I didn't much like that. He had plugs in, they looked like 1 inchers. I just had the lowly 4 gauge tapers on. His hair was cut in a buzz, much like everyone else in the room, except the girls, and the one who had greeted us at the door, the one at the door had long hair. But this guy, with the plugs in had a tribal looking design cut into his head. Homeboys in the Parque always did that and looked retarded, but this guy could pull it off. He looked a little thinner than the rest and was wearing a band tee. But I still didn't like the fact he was staring at me. or the way the other one was staring at Giggles. I wished they would revert their eyes somewhere else I was getting other guy that had given us his seat was staring to. But at me. And let me tell you, he look eternally pissed. Little Sleepy started fussing again so I took him and held on to him. I cooed in his ear that it was Tia Charlie and to quite down so mommy could talk.

"So, I hear you looking for me" said the man in the arm chair. So that was Sam Uley. I could tell just by looking at him I wouldn't like the man. I had that special skill. I could look at someone and know I would not get along well with him. Giggles looked at him and smiled.

"Why yes. My name is Claudia Astacio Perez Otero-" she paused. My guess is for dramatic effect. "-Uley" she finished. A number of people in the room looked shocked, a couple looked angry. Especially the one that was staring at her. Then his look changed. He looked sad. "This is my adopted sister Charlie Adelina Rivera. And this is my son. Joshua Uley, the third." She stopped again. Letting the names sink in. I didn't really like the fact she told them all of my real name. But I don't think anyone minded that as much as they minded the name she gave Little Sleepy. Everyone started talking at once. Then the man in the chair silenced them all simply by yelling 'Quiet'. I didn't like how quickly everyone followed this guys order. He was shaking a little bit and the women sitting with him put a hand on his chest. He stopped as soon as she did that and then looked at her lovingly. It made me want to barf just looking at it. Giggles continued on. I guess she had planned out her own little speech.

"I met Little Joshua's father some years ago. His name was Joshua Uley-"

"Leave." Sam cut in. I stared at him, what the hell was this guy's problem.

"Wh-What?" Giggles said.

"Leave." He said again. I looked weird, kinda like he was stopping himself for doing something horrible. I get that look sometimes, although only when I'm trying not to do something stupid even though I really wanna do it.

"Excuse me?" I cut in. "I don't think you should be interrupting her. She's trying to tell you about your fucking family and you interrupt her? What the hell, cabron. So please shut up and let her finish. Comprendes?" I yelled. I didn't like him. I didn't like how he interrupted her. I dunno something about when people interrupt other people just makes me kinda angry. The girl sitting with him looked scared. Every guy in the room shifted awkwardly. Their eyes moved from me to Sam and back again. I guess nobody talked to him like that. He was glaring at me, and I was glaring right back.

"I don't care if you think your family, you're not. And I want you gone. Out of my house and off my reservation." He said. Oh hell naw! Giggles just sat there, she looked like she was about to cry. I put a hand on her arm and her demeanor changed.

"I don't care want you think! This child is Quileute, and I am going to fulfill a promise made by his father. To have him raised among his people. I just wanted to let you know that he was here. Now Goodbye" Giggles looked, well pissed. She grabbed Little Sleepy from me and rushed out and away from this room. The one that had been staring at her made a move to follow her but froze as soon as Sam even looked at him. I was left there bathing in the awkwardness of the fact that I was still there. I needed to get out of here. These people, I can't stand it here, I need to get the hell out of here. I stood, struggling but I stood. I limped my way over to the doorway. I felt so self-conscious. I felt everyone staring at me. Stare at the cripple she doesn't care. It's not like she's a person or anything. I made it to the mouth of the hallway and paused. I turned around, almost falling.

"What the fuck is wrong with you people?" I asked them. I looked each and everyone one of those assholes in the eye, hoping to let guilt fester in them. "She comes in here, just wanting to tell you, 'hey, just so you know we're related.' And you don't even have the fucking decency to hear her out. Well I tell you this, we're not leaving. We're staying on this fucking reservation and we're raising that kid. He's your nephew, did you know that? Well course not; you're too good to even listen. I hope you all are fucking happy with yourselves." I turned to go. But stopped and turned back around.

"And one last thing, I knew Joshua, he was a good man, scratch that, he was a great man. I find it hella fucking hard to believe that you two are brothers." And with those final words of wisdom I limped my way down the hall and out the door. I saw Giggles was already in the van waiting for me. I was walking down the path when I heard a voice from inside.

"Paul!" a voice yelled. It was Sam. The door behind me burst open but I ignored it. I felt a hot hand on my shoulder. I flinched away from it and turned to see who it was. I almost fell but the hand stopped me. I looked up into the face of the person that was really starting to piss me off.

"Back off, pendejo" I told the man. I snatched my arm from his grip. He reached for me again and I lifted up my cane and hooked the handle on his shoulder. I pulled him down towards me. I looked him right in the eye.

"What the fuck don't you understand about 'back off'?" I stage whispered. I pushed the handle of my cane so it dug into his shoulder and then pushed him away. He started to do that weird shaking thing. What's with these weirdoes? I almost felt bad for treating him so poorly, but I think I'm aloud to be a little bitchy considering what just happened in that house. I turned back away and hopped into the car.

"Vamos" Giggles said as soon as I was in my seat. We sped off down the street, mostly just trying to get away from that house and the people in it. I looked in the rearview mirror and watched the man just standing there, watching us leave.

"So…where we gunna stay tonight, pinche?" I asked Giggles. I had nothing against sleeping in the car but after a couple days it did get a little painful.

"No se, I guess we could pick up a newspaper at a Seven-Eleven" She said. This place was pretty small so not fifteen minutes later we had come upon a place labeled 'General Store' which was right next door to a small looking café.

"S'cgo esa, we'll get some newspapers in there the head over to the diner for some dinner and check out the available apartments, si?" I said.

"How 'bout this place: 'two bedrooms, one bath, Satan worshipers welcome." I said and raised an eyebrow at Giggles. We we're at the diner now. A nice little place. Giggles was busy feeding Little Sleepy some mashed up food. The people that worked there offered to bring the little guys food pre-cut up. Nice people. Damn near almost everyone on this reservation was nice. Well except for Sam and his crew. Must be a small town thing.

"Nice try pinche, but I don't know how I feel about living in a place that is 'Satan worshiper friendly'." She said laughing. The waitress came to drop off our check.

"Hey, I couldn't help but overhear. I know for sure that the apartment above the diner is vacant. I'm sure the diner owner, wouldn't mind renting it out to you guys, if you worked in the shop." She said smiling. Giggles smiled gratefully.

"That would be great, where could I find ?" she asked. Sweet, first step to getting situated here down.

"Oh I think she's upstairs, cleaning up after the previous occupants." She said smiling.

"And which way is the stairs?" Giggles asked. The waitress point through the kitchen.

"It's back there on the right, you can't miss it." Giggles got up to go. But stopped and glanced hesitantly at me.

"No worries, you go work out the apartment, I'll watch over the little man." I said while smiling goofily at the little guy. She smiled at me and placed the baby in my lap. She walked off in the direction the waitress had pointed. I cradled the baby. My cane was resting across a chair next to me. I took a minute to look at the intricate designs that were carved into it. I had a friend back in LA who was always good in woodshop. My old cane had me carved into it smoking a jay. But this one was a little classier. It had a tribal looking design on it. I liked it. It kinda looked like one of my tattoos, the one I had across my shoulder and into a half sleeve.

I grabbed one of the newspapers and unfolded it so it covered up me and the baby. I started pointing out and reading the articles in weird voices. It seemed to be entertaining Little Sleepy enough. I stopped for a moment when I heard the chair across from me being pulled out and then someone sitting in it. I ignored them. Even when they did that annoying 'pay attention to me' cough. I continued reading to the kid. It was some article about a drug bust in Seattle. I twisted around the article so that the cops were the bad guys and the drug dealers were just minding their own business while working there operation. What can I say? I'm a little biased when it comes to my fellow drug dealers. Speaking of I need to get in on a new operation here. I decided to see what the person sitting across from me wanted.

"…and then the big bad cops took the nice drug dealers to jail, causing them to lose thousands of dollars worth of product. The End" I finished my edited version of the news and flipped down the new paper. One of the guys from earlier was sitting across from me. The one with the plugs. From the way he was looking at me he kinda looked like a hurt puppy. I kinda like this kid. He didn't seem to want to go along with what that jerkwad Sam.

"Can I help you?" I asked, not truly wanting to show how much I liked this kid. Well, I don't think I should really be calling him kid, he looked a lot taller than me sitting down. He was prolly in his late twenties, but it's a habit.

"Um, uh…yes. You can help me." he said stumbling over his words. He was so adorable!

"With what? Spit it out, pinche." I said smirking.

"Um…where's your friend? Claudia?" he asked. Aww, I knew he was smitten with her. What? Who the hell says smitten these days? I smirked. Good for you, kid.

"She went to check out the available apartment upstairs. No worries she'll prolly be down in a minute." I said and smiled. He got up and turned towards the door. He started walking but I stopped him.

"Hey, what's your name kid?" I called after him. He turned back to look at me.

"You really think you should be calling me kid?" he asked, raising his eyebrow. I could tell that he really wanted to go after her though. But for now I would just watch him squirm.

"Well, yes. Yes I do. Name, kid?"

"Name's Call, Embry Call" he answered in the classic Bond style.

"Call? Any relation to owner of this Diner and the person my friend's meeting with right this very second?" I asked.

"Yeah, she's my mom" he said smiling and practically sprinted towards the kitchen. I smiled after him. Sweet kid. Kinda annoying, but sweet all the same. I just hoped Giggles would think the same.

Translation:

Abuela- grandma

Esa- dude

Callate- quite

Pinche- asshole (in the endearing way)

Chinga – fuck

Callate la boca- shut up

Entiendes- understand

Cabron- bastard

Pednejo- jackass

Parque- Park

Comprendes?- understand?

Vamos- lets go