had to go through the pain staking process of deciding where to eat. This time the enthusiasm level dropped as we realized nothing would be better than a couple of tacos. met her on an average day, a Sunday morning back when I was eight. I was the new kid, and she had some experience. it was only a few weeks into my karate days. Mouth guard in, hair loose over my shoulders with one stray ginger ringlet dangling in my line of sight, we took a bow before immediately leaping back into matching defensive stances. Both hands positioned before my face in clenched fists, right leg planted firmly behind me, we began to face-off, circling round and round before she threw the first jab at my stomach. Despite being hindered by firm black padding, I somehow managed to block it with ease, a skill I’ve long since become incapable of doing nearly as quickly. Swinging my leg around to that awkward little area behind her knee that no one knows the name of, I kicked the leg out from under her, watching cockily as she plummeted backwards. The loud thump that came with her back hitting the ground was glorious. Dropping down, I pinned her beneath me, both freckled palms drilling slender, pale shoulders into the ground. We stared spitefully into one another’s eyes before finally...a laugh. A shrill, girly giggle erupted from her lips, shooting my eyebrows upwards quizzically. “Why are you laughing?” I couldn’t help but be almost offended. “You look like a lion!” She continued to giggle mercilessly
32 'IreFmo
“El Capi” was the restaurant that changed my perception on life. We decided to go there out of lack of options, and as we drove they explained to me that it was a sandwich restaurant that had many delicious options to choose from. When we arrived, we quickly staked our territory, pulling tables closer together and gathering chairs to sit in. My cousin volunteered to go up and order the food and we all agreed. Soon everyone at the table began recounting the night. Laughing and joke telling ensued, reliving the funny moments at the park. Everyone was having a great time; happiness was abundant as we smiled and laughed. But then it came. There was a rush of movement by the front entrance. About 8 men ran in through the door, some jumping over the cashier and
