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"I turn eighteen at the end of the month"

He scratched his head "Do you speak any Español?"

"No?"

"Do you speak Navajo?"

"No, but I’ive hi eyes They worked on omery, when I wanted to use the Internet or stay up late watching hts--eleven ple Saturday Plus, we get a lot of college kids and, with those eyes, I aos But on the other hand, you er and thuht "Unfortunately the state liquor laws prohibit aalcohol"

I batted hteen And Yana said you were hiring"

The talla shadow over hter?"

"I’m new in town She let me sit with her at lunch"

The two randfather smiled

"I am Naalyehe It is a pleasure to meet one of Yana’s friends Are you familiar with Navajo cuisine?"

I shook my head

"What do you know about comida mexicana? Mexican food?" José asked

"I love Taco Bell"

Naalyehe burst out laughing

José’s cheeks flared red "Taco Bell is not Mexican food!" he said vehea? Canada?"

"Albuquerque," I answered

"Aye aye aye," Joséit "You are from New Mexico and you think Taco Bell is Mexican food" He sprinkled a handful of cheese over the loaded plate, turned back around, and held the plate and a fork out to e with pureed beans and e cheese Beneath the beans and cheese were lu, but I had no idea what, and I was ale, expectant grin on his face Naalyehe took a folding ainst the wall and set it behind me I sat down on the stool, took the fork and plate, and stabbed one of the unidentifiable, bean-coverednoise as I lifted it froooey blob for a moment, then closed my eyes and shoved it into my mouth It was hot and salty and mushy I made myself chew and h a fullnot to drool

"That is my specialty It is a fish taco, breaded with blue corn, fried, cut into bite-sized pieces, and soat cheese You like?" José asked, though I’ the food into reat," I said, my mouth still full

"What do you think?" José asked, turning to Naalyehe

Naalyehe studiedon mine "What is the last animal you saw?"

I raiseditself on Mrs Carpenter’s driveway"

"The horned lizard It sy secrets"

His eyes bored intosecrets isn’t a bad thing It means you can be trusted," he said

Hope h rinned "Welcohteen, I’ll put you on the schedule"

"So I got the job?"

José and Naalyehe nodded

I stood in the bathroo in the mirror I still looked old, but not as old as I’d looked the night before My black-dyed hair was fading to a dull greenish brown, the roots alainst the dye But ht me some Suave shampoo and conditioner

I looked at ner knockoff from Wal-Mart--and set the alarm for a quarter after six Mrs Carpenter was convinced that I’d sleep through the alaryray backpack Laid out on -sleeve red sweater, and a heavy gray jacket--a "welcoift froo to school And honestly, I couldn’t wait to kick soled beneath the two hos didn’t seem so bad I had a job I liked Mrs Carpenter And she liked me

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