The Body of Martin Aguilera (16 page)

Lewis looked at the dirt. Manny helped him to stand, helped him to walk.

“What the hell were you doing?” Manny asked.

“I was dancing.”

They walked many steps in silence.

“Maggie's dead.”

“I'm sorry,” Manny said. “I didn't know.”

“Why?” Lewis asked. “Why, Manny?”

Manny shook his head. “I just nodded and turned away. I should have seen what was happening. I'm sorry.”

“Were you scared?” Lewis asked.

“Yeah, I suppose that was it.”

Lewis looked at the lake. “Manny, they're killing us.”

“I know.”

Percival Everett is the author of
Suder, Walk Me to the Distance, For Her Dark Skin, Cutting Lisa, The Weather and Women Treat Me Fair, The One That Got Away, Zulus, God's Country, Big Picture
and
Watershed
. He is currently teaching at the University of California at Riverside

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