Mexican WhiteBoy

Senior visits and, over lunch, illustrates to Uno the importance of seeing his circumstances through the eyes of an outsider. He lists what an “outsider” would see: basically, a broken-down city filled with poverty, “a forgotten slice of America’s finest city” (97). Uno is not sure what this has to do with him moving to Oxnard, but he acknowledges to himself the poverty by which he is surrounded. Senior goes on about the people living in National City being victims who are “programmed to hear what the rich white folks tell him [them] in the media…the white media” (99). He imparts some inspiring, non-racially related motivation about being a worker, not a wisher, and then heads home.

Uno wants to move to Oxnard but still cannot find a job. He is aware that he can no longer rely on Saturday derby winnings. Uno sees Sofia and they walk along together. He tells her the reason he is not getting hired is because he is black, but Sofia disagrees. They end up at Las Palmas, where Danny is practicing, and secretly watch him. Uno is incredulous to learn Danny works that hard every day. Uno apologizes to Sofe for beating up Danny and tries to justify his actions via Manny’s injuries. Sofia calls him out for feeling threatened by no longer being the best hitter in the neighborhood.

Uno then issues a sincere apology, Sofia accepts, and they continue watching Danny. Uno acknowledges how alone Danny must feel due to his parents’ absence. This reminds him of his dad saying, “how studying the Bible taught him to love himself […] to look inward for companionship” (104). Uno then asks Sofia: “You believe in that stuff?” (104). She acknowledges a belief in something but doesn’t know what. Sofia says her dad thinks Danny is antisocial, probably having “something to do with his own dad leavin’ so suddenly because of all this stuff that happened” (105). Uno inquires about Danny’s dad, and Sofia tells him it’s a long story. Uno spots the Mexican “scout” with the Padres hat and recognizes him from the fair. Sofia does not recognize him. They leave the field, but as soon as they part ways, Uno returns.

With no access to a gym, Danny begins a daily regimen of sit-ups and push-ups. As he’s running through his exercise routine, Uno shows up. Danny gives a nod but worries Uno might be there to fight. The two boys start talking and Uno recollects a time he played Little League on this field and took a foul ball to his mask. He bled and broke his nose, but his dad, high on drugs, yelled at him and told him, “Ain’t no son of mine gonna lay there cryin’!” (109). When his mom tried to defend him, his father went crazy, yelling and cursing at her in front of everyone. That incident ended baseball for Uno.

In a rare moment, Danny speaks—in English—but is not self-conscious about it. Uno tells Danny that his dad, Senior, is now clean and a “cool guy”(110). Danny tells Uno he can work in if he wants and Uno positions himself behind home plate. Danny has a moment where anger surfaces for the beating he took; he fires a fastball, despite Uno’s mitt not being adequate for catching such pitches. It burns Uno, sending him a message. Uno understands he has it coming and says, “All right, D. I got you. It’s cool” (112).

With the score even, the pitching session continues. Uno asks Danny if he’d be interested in “makin’ a little money” (113). Practice continues. The hawk that had been circling the field earlier is gone. Danny “pretends it had been sent all the way from Mexico by his dad. To look after him. And then it goes back to Mexico to report what it sees” (113). He wishes his dad could have seen him “finally punch somebody back” (113).

Uno works out with Danny every day, just as hard, and never complains. He does all of the calisthenics and sprints and then catches all of his pitches. Danny is surprised by their arrangement. A week prior, Uno had explained his moneymaking idea: how they would hustle talented baseball players from all over San Diego with Danny’s pitching prowess. Uno will take care of everything, including being on call for Danny anytime he wants to practice. He’ll run the hustle and Danny is not to speak. Uno is excited and hopeful, but Danny feels pressure. If he can’t deliver the pitches, Uno will lose money and never be able to move to Oxnard. They acknowledge the “big Mexican dude up on the hill” watching them. Danny thinks he is the same scout who had been at Leucadia, scouting Kyle. Danny is in some disbelief that the “guy who scouted Kyle [could] now be scouting [me]” (117).

That night, Sofia and her friends go to the drive-in movie theater. It is run down and the screen is torn. Danny wonders if his dad has ever been to this drive-in, then his memories shift to times spent at home with his dad and how his dad hardly spoke to him. They would sit on the couch together and his dad would get high. Danny “already knew enough about being high to know not to mess up his dad’s high” (119).Danny resolved to hide in the bathroom. His thoughts are interrupted by the screams of Sofia and Carmen, who are reacting to the movie. They give Danny money and send him to the concession stand for popcorn, where they have arranged for him to “accidentally” run into Liberty. When Danny sees her, he almost turns around, but convinced his dad would talk to her and that his Uncle Ray would complement her, he decides that’s what he’ll do. Liberty turns and smiles at Danny. He is nervous and suddenly realizes he can’t compliment her in Spanish. They exchange smiles and a little wave as she walks back to her car. When Danny returns to his car, having not talked to Liberty, the girls good-naturedly give him a hard time. Carmen says, “You cute as hell, honey, but you ain’t got no game” (123). Sofia determines he’ll know how to talk to girls by the end of summer.