The Monsters of Chavez Ravine by Debra Castaneda

Author:Debra Castaneda [Castaneda, Debra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Rodeo Books
Published: 2021-04-04T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Bobby hardly spoke on the drive to downtown Los Angeles. It took Trini a while to figure out what was bothering him. As it turned out, it had nothing to do with looking for a demon-conjuring witch. He was worried about the speech he was about to deliver.

“I’m the new community organizer,” he said, pulling at his tie. “You went to those meetings last year, the ones that got rowdy?” When Trini nodded, he continued. “Then you heard the ladies speaking out against the housing project. Well, they’ve led the charge from the beginning, but they thought no one was listening because they’re not only Mexican, they’re Mexican women. So they brought me in.”

Trini squirmed in her seat. “But you’re still Mexican. And young. The ladies think they’ll pay attention to you?”

Rose, behind the wheel, chuckled. “You’ve not heard this young man give a speech, Trini Duran. You’ve got quite a treat coming to you.”

“We’re supposed to be looking for a witch,” she reminded everyone.

“We are,” replied Rose. “Bobby’s job tonight is to help us save our homes.”

Bobby gave an enormous yawn. Then he tilted his head back. “God, I’m tired,” he groaned, rubbing his face.

“If he can stay awake,” Trini said, patting his shoulder.

Lencha had been silent on the ride to City Hall, although Trini couldn’t help noticing her stiff shoulders and constant fidgeting.

Trini touched the herb-filled sachet she’d stuffed inside the sleeve of her sweater. Lencha had given a small pouch to everyone in the car, saying it would help protect them against any ill will. But less than ten minutes later, she’d admitted she wasn’t sure it would work on a witch powerful enough to produce monstrous creatures.

Inside City Hall, Trini stepped through the double doors to the meeting room, surveying the scene. About a dozen people she recognized from Chavez Ravine stood at the back, carrying protest signs. Men in business suits clustered together at the front, talking. A narrow-faced woman in a black dress and white collar looked her up and down as she pushed past.

Trini was glad she’d taken extra trouble with her appearance. She’d chosen a square neck red dress with black piping and black heels. She’d even put her hair up in pin curls so it had a nice wavy style. But it was Bobby’s reaction that mattered. When she’d walked out of the house, he’d done a double take.

“Trini! You look…” Then his voice had drifted off, and he flushed red. Trini had taken it as a compliment. Or surprised to see her in anything besides dungarees, with her hair combed for once.

Either way, she knew she could stand proudly, even surrounded by so many well-dressed strangers.

She took a deep breath and followed Rose’s platinum bouffant across the shiny floor to the seats near the front Bobby saved for them. He was deep in conversation with a small man with chipmunk teeth.

Before they’d set out, Bobby explained it was a special committee meeting made up of a few elected officials,

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