Down to the Bone by Mayra Lazara Dole Page A

me for a moment, then says, “That’s not what I meant. Just be careful with bi’s.” He sniffs the air. “I can smell them a mile away. They prey on beautiful girls like you. When they capture you, they leave you for a guy. After they’ve used the fellow up, they’ll leave him for another female. It’s a vicious circle.”
    I want to roll my eyes at the empathy, utmost care and consideration he has for people who aren’t like him. I’ll keep chucking whatever he says out my imaginary window and go on working. I hate that I’m stuck with a judgmental guy. Where’s the morbidly endearing Gauge when I need him? The truth is that sometimes Gauge broke my heart. When everyone shunned him, laughed at him, or told him to shut up, I wanted to pull up a chair next to him and ask him to tell me more stories. But Che, no way. I know he already expects a lot of comments from me, and for me to take his side, as he judges everyone.
    I don’t respond.
    He points toward Jaylene. “I can turn any invertida around. Once tortilleras and bi girls have a taste of me, they never go back.” He smirks. “They just need a real man.”
    This must be the stupidest guy on the planet. “I doubt that. She’d probably prefer a dildo to do the job.” I feel like telling him he could stick his shovel where the sun doesn’t shine, but I don’t.
    I can already hear him spewing one tangent after another, rambling away his misogynistic thoughts about lezzies and bi girls. If he knew I was closely connected at the heart to that subject, I wonder what he’d say. Having to deal with this type of idiot isn’t going to be fun. I wish I had a stronger personality and the courage to ask him to zip it.
    Jaylene overhears and comes over to us. She wraps her hands around the shovel handle. “A real man?” She bores holes into his pupils. I love the way she stands up to him.
    He grins and spits on the ground. “Yeah. You’re just too scared to try me.” He smiles. “I told you I’d give you the best time you’ve ever had. I’ll shave so smooth you’ll think you’re with a girl.”
    “Just because I like both genders, and am up with the queer movement, doesn’t mean I’m insane. Your type doesn’t do it for me, Crud.” She says it loud enough so everyone hears. Everybody looks up and stops working.
    “You tell him,” George speaks up and turns to Che. “I’ve got a few girls I can introduce you to if you’re having a hard time meeting females.”
    Before Che responds, I say, “Hey guys, my uncle’s coming back soon.” Surprisingly, they get back to digging. I keep digging, trying to mind my own business, but Jaylene stays put.
    “You know what they say, don’t you?” she asks Che. He shrugs. “Well, I won’t give you the pleasure of finding out.” She leans over and whispers into my ear. “They say imbecilic macho ignoramuses like him have small shriveled up worms. They have to prove their masculinity by talking shit. You think any girl into girls would ever go for him ?”
    I want to laugh, but I don’t. I need respect in this job. I’ve got to play it wise and safe and befriend everyone. On the other hand, I admire people like Jaylene and would like to get to know her better. She doesn’t wear a façade and will probably expect the same from me. I don’t think I should undo this mask any time soon, though.
    “Oh, so you like me, eh?” Che tells her. “You’re giving me so much attention.”
    “If you were the only life-sustaining force on Earth, I wouldn’t date you, an obvious misogynist maggot.”
    He lets out a chest full of anger. “At least I don’t try to hide my true lust behind bisexual political theories. You’ll hook up with anybody. Admit it and we’ll move on.”
    I realize these two have a history of which I don’t want to know about. “Guys,” I interrupt. “Come on.” They shovel in silence.
    Jaylene is the first to finish the biggest hole of all. Without asking for help, she picks up