The White Horse Read Online Free PDF

near Raina’s feet.
    â€œYou guys oughta thank me,” Sonny said. “Consider this an education.” He pulled out Jason’s wallet and tossed it to Raina. “You know what they say, kids: Drugs are bad.”
    He sliced off the gold chains; the hippie beads scattered. Then he leaned close enough to kiss Jason’s ear and plucked out the diamond with his teeth.
    Jason whimpered and moaned. Sonny got to his feet. “Get out of here,” he said.
    They ran down the alley.
    Sonny put on Gary’s coat and tucked the diamond in his pocket. “Shit!” he said suddenly, smacking his head. “I shoulda took his shoes. They woulda fit me.”
    â€œYou stupid asshole!”
    â€œDon’t worry, I’ll buy some.”
    â€œYou were gonna take the money and split!”
    â€œAre you nuts?”
    â€œLeave me with those kids!” she screamed. “You goddamn greedy junkie!”
    â€œDon’t say that. I love you.”
    â€œFucking liar!” She hit him.
    He slapped her. She slugged him until he held her tight. “You were gonna leave me, you asshole, you junkie.”
    They hugged each other, crying. He kissed the top of her head and said, “I guess we’ll never know.”

Chapter Seven
    Once upon a time there was a girl named Bug Brains. Teacher said: Children, it’s not her fault. They called her names because she was dirty. How’s a little kid supposed to wash her clothes? Teacher sent home a note for her mother, but the little girl’s mother was not at home. Her brothers came back. She told them what happened. They laughed and said: Don’t use my comb. She looked and looked at herself in the mirror She couldn’t see nothing wrong. Fell asleep that night waiting for her mother but the mother did not come home. When the girl woke up the house was empty. Found clothes on the floor and pat them on. But the teacher had told her: You can’t come back until your little problem’s gone. She waited and waited and waited and waited but the mother did not come home. She had to get to school! Didn’t have any money, so she went to a store and stole special shampoo. The people caught her. They called her mother. Who finally came. Said: What’d you do? They told her what happened. She got real mad and grabbed the girl and pinched her skin and shouted at her: I’ll beat your butt! And when they got home that’s what she did .
    Then the mother felt very guilty .
    She washed the girl’s clothes and her blankets and sheets. She washed the girl’s hair with special shampoo. The girl went to school feeling happy and clean but the kids called her Bug Brains until she moved .
    You’d think someone would’ve asked a few questions, like: Why did you leave this kid alone? Why is she always dirty? Who’s the mean-looking guy with the weasel eyes? Where’d she get all these bruises?
    Granny would’ve cried. For herself and the child, busted for lice, at the age of eight .
    My mother’s first bust, but not her last .
    I have described my mother as an evil dwarf. The Wicked Witch of the North. This is not accurate. Beside her senior yearbook picture it doesn’t say: Plans to marry a succession of pedophiles and losers. Hopes to have seven children and make them miserable. Career goal: dead-end jobs at minimum wage .
    The words she would’ve chosen would’ve read: Hard-working Carla will attend a four-year college. She’ll make her first million before she’s thirty, be happily married, and have two children .
    If there had been a senior picture. She got pregnant with Ray and dropped out .
    When they argue, Granny says, I didn’t want you to quit. You could’ve had an abortion or let the baby be adopted .
    Liar! my mother shouts; you said I had to keep it! Or were you always so drunk, you don’t remember?
    They rehash the past as if it were a case they were pleading before