I’m good at rock throwing. I can kill a rabbit from all the way over there.

William-Adolphe Bouguereau Maria tried the cigar and liked it. She blew smoke at Juana’s smoke. “I’m good at rock throwing. I can kill a rabbit from all the way over there.” She pointed to the far end of the room.

Juana picked up a fancy glass paperweight from Sanchez’s desk and handed it to Maria. She didn’t doubt the child, but she wanted to see what Maria could do. “Hit that hat over there.”

Maria threw and easily knocked the hat down.

“Ay, chingao, you are good.”

Maria smoked and finished her beer. She was getting sleepy. She looked around a little nervously. “Should we leave?”

“No, let’s just stay here tonight. Sanchez, I heard from the whores, didn’t have family nearby. The rurale captain’s been notified and the pendejo, Pedro, is guarding it. No one will come in here. He’s too lazy to do anything but check the doors, and they’re locked.

She began wandering around the place and soon found a box with Maria’s stuff. She showed her new friend and it pleased Juana to make Maria happy. She looked at the items doubtfully. She picked up the mirror, then the brush. “This stuff’s junk.”

Maria looked hurt and Juana regretted her comment. “Why not take some new ones?”

Maria considered the girl’s suggestion. She looked around. She’d not thought about it until now.

“The son of a bitch owes it to you, Maria. He took away,” she pointed at Maria’s midsection, “you know, that.”

“We should take the money, too.” Maria was emboldened by Juana’s comment.

“You’re right.” Juana searched and found a money box. She handed it over to Maria.

“You take half, Juana.”

“No, it’s yours. The dirty devil owes you.” She looked around. “We should get new clothes.”

“Someone’ll see us with them, that’ll never do.” Maria thought about the pretty dress she wore briefly. It looked and felt nice on her.

Juana suddenly had an epiphany. “Let’s take it all.” Maria's Trail