Lone Star Legend by Gwendolyn Zepeda

by:
Anonymous
    Hey, Miss TCTX! Any chance we can get some before and after pictures of the makeover?:):):)
    Comment left by:
Peaches

21
    I t’s not fair,” Sandy said into the phone as she drove down I-35 toward the middle of nowhere. “I should be the one covering
     the Minute Men leak, but Angelica gave it to that idiot. I know it’s because he’s always in her office, sucking up to her.”
    “But I thought she liked you, too,” said the disembodied voice of her friend Jane, through the cell phone.
    “She does. At least, I
thought
she did. She told me all that stuff, when we were shopping, about how I reminded her of herself when she was young. But who
     knows? Maybe she gives that speech to everyone.” Sandy felt glum at the thought. She took her exit on mental autopilot, eyes
     on the road and head full of worry. Cacti flecked the road on either side of her, almost like bread crumbs leading the way.
    “So what are you going to do?”
    “I’m driving out to where they allegedly found the chupacabra tracks. Check this out—it’s right by my Aunt Linda’s house.
     The one who died, whose house me and my mom just went to? I can’t find anything good online yet, so I’m going out to see what
     I can see. And—I don’t know, talk to the neighbors or something.” Saying her plan aloud made Sandy realize just how little
     she had to go on with this story.
    “Wow, that sucks,” said Jane. “Well, good luck. Here’s hoping you find a chupacabra. Hey, why don’t you look for Bigfoot out
     there, while you’re at it?” She stifled a laugh.
    “Why, you looking for a new man?” Sandy returned in the same tone.
    “No, but I am looking for more free stuff from my famous friend. When are you going to get us VIP at Red Top again?” Jane
     was talking about last weekend, when Sandy had covered a show at a new club downtown and was able to invite Jane and her boyfriend
     along.
    “I
told
you,” Sandy said, rolling her eyes. “That was a one-time deal. Believe me, the next time something like that comes up, I’ll
     let you know. Don’t tell me you’re going to start planning your social life around my job perks.”
    “I’m trying to,” rejoined Jane. “I can keep giving you Capitol gossip, but only if you keep scoring us more free booze.”
    T HE SITE OF the alleged chupacabra sighting was practically in Tío Jaime’s backyard, just as Sandy had suspected. She passed two news
     vans on the way to his house, across the road from each other, both taping their Latino anchors standing in front of mesquite
     trees. Sandy slowed to get a look and the crews spared her nothing more than weary glances. There was no chupacabra in sight.
    Sandy drove directly to Tío Jaime’s house, figuring she might as well. The old man was standing on his porch with his hat
     in his hand and his dog at his side, looking hot and tired, as if they’d just arrived there after a morning of hard work.
     There was a clump of goats in the distance, milling around slowly and peacefully. No monsters among them. Although Sandy was
     in her Malibu and not her mom’s Town Car, Tío Jaime recognized her and waved for her to proceed up his driveway.
    “How are you, m’ija? Where’s your mama?” he asked as she emerged from the car, her trusty olive corduroy hanging from her
     shoulder.
    “She’s at home. I came by myself.”
    “Did you need to get into your aunt’s house? Do you need the key?” he asked. Before she could answer, he said, “Do you want
     something to drink? I was about to get some lemonade.”
    “Thank you.” Sandy was obliged to follow him into the house. “Actually, Tío Jaime, I came out here for another reason.”
    He led the way into his kitchen. His dog waited outside the screen door like a sentry. “I’ll get you some water, too, Cano.”
    Sandy stood quietly for a moment, wondering how to explain what she was doing. Tío Jaime didn’t seem overly curious. He filled
     a glass with tap water and