Where was I? How did I end up sleeping in Anita's bed? Then it all hit me. The headlights—the car chase—Baby John! What had I done? I had seen Tony's parents and they had actually welcomed me into their home. I miss their son so much!

"Tony," I whisper, an unsuppressable ache in my heart.

"Maria, are you awake now?"

"Madre?" Where is Anita? There is my madre sitting patiently beside my bedside.

"You've been asleep almost all day. Anita came by early to tell us you went to stay with her for comfort. She's still at work, so I came to check on you."

"Gracias," I murmur, "I just feel so tired. Can I call Anita to ask her something?"

"Si." Madre moves the telephone near to my bedside. "Get some rest, Maria. If you need me, I'm next door."

"Bueno."

Once Madre had leaves, I pick up the telephone. I wasn't going to call Anita. I had barely ever lied to my parents, but since Tony, my life had been turned upside down. Now carrying his baby, I know I can't fix everything. All I can do is trust my intution.

"Hello, is this Baby John?"

"No. He's been taken to the hospital. Who is this anyway?"

"Oh, I'm a friend of his. What happened?"

"Some Sharks got my son, dammit!"

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know…"

The line goes dead and I hold the phone in horror. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have asked him for help. Someone must have seen me leave last night since it clearly wasn't my parents. I had to find out where most of the Sharks were. The Jets won't take long to go after them. The problem is, the Sharks won't listen to me about anything. I can't just lie here any longer. I have to do something to put a stop to this. The Sharks must have gone after Baby John thinking he was trying to kidnap me or to take revenge over my betrayal of my people. God knows why they say yes to hate. I will never understand them. Never.

I grab Anita's black shawl from her closet and wrap it over my head. I can't afford to be easily recognized. Now with Baby John and Anita gone, I must explain all this to the Jets. It's my fault—there's no need for a fight. I am surprised no one stops me as I make my way down the winding staircase. Where is everybody? By the time I reach Doc's store, it's getting dark. Hopefully there will be some Jets there I can negotiate with. No, the store is dead silent when I enter.

"Doc?"

"I'm here," he replies, turning around from behind the counter. "Maria, what brings you here?"

"No time to explain, Doc. Where are the Jets—Kiddo, Action? Why aren't they here?"

Doc shakes his head. "When I heard that Baby John was jumped, I feared they might start another rumble. I've called the police to try to monitor their activities. I don't know if it will do any good. They're used to being evasive like this."

"Do you know how Baby John is?"

Doc's expression is grim. "It didn't sound good. He must have got beat up really bad."

"No!" I rush to the door. I know what I must do.

"Maria, be careful!" Doc calls after me.

I barely hear him. There's no time to waste. Where will I go? The river? The playground? Wait, I remember, under the highway. Not where Bernardo was killed—my brother! My hand supports my belly, trying to protect the innocent life at the same time. The closer I get, the more I pray for Tony's courage. I am crossing over his same fateful path—the murder, the revenge. From afar, I see the flash of a knife's blade. God, help me! I race toward the escalating violent scene—A-rab struggling with Pepe, Inca against Action—too many to count!

"Stop! Para lo!"

No one listens to me. I try to pull Diesal off Lupe. All of a sudden, I barely have time to brace for impact as he shoves me to the ground. The baby! No, I'll be okay, I tell myself over and over. The blood is rushing to my head. As my vision dims, I see Lupe punch Diesal. Approaching siren horns. Rushing toward me from the background is Kiddo. Is she going to help me? Is she the only one who will listen? Everything fades to nothingness.