Woodworm

by Layla Martínez

his rage was the rage of the master of the house whose servant’s turned out to be a dud.

everyone stared but no one said a word because people in this village are mean and miserable, but most of all they’re cowards.

Justice was what we did when we made sure the boy wouldn’t turn out like his parents or grandparents or great-grandparents and that the Jarabos’ story ended there for good.

Everyone knows that tragedy’s catching and nobody wants it close.

To my mother, for believing in revenge.