As we pulled into the driveway on Encino street, my mind was still in a blur. I was out of prison and all I could think about was how I could go back in to La MESA and kill Felix.
Jesus looked over at me with his piercing eyes, reached up and rested his hand on my shoulder and said “Ed..Your body es free. You have to free your spirit. Take it out of the prison. Your Father is inside. Let’s get you cleaned up and feed you dinner.
The fog started to lift from my eyes and we both stepped out of the car and headed for the door. I looked over and could see my Dad’s piece of shit farm truck on the side of the house behind the gate. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I saw three ladders stacked in the back. He was going to get me out. Even if he had to get Jesus himself to do it.
As we walked in the door I saw my old man sitting there, I lost my shit one more time. I don’t think I’ve ever cried like that. Even when I was a little kid. My dad stood up and he started to lose it too. I don’t remember ever seeing him like that. It was a different him.
He gave me a big hug and told me to quit being a baby. I laughed, and told him to quit being a baby and it was all good. Except when we realized Jesus and his wife were watching us. They too had tears in their eyes.
Trying to sound tough I looked at Jesus and said: “Tengo allergies al polan.” My Dad followed up with his non-filtered response. “Yeah, we must all be alergic to Mexicans.”
I threw a light elbow into my Dad’s ribs..under my breath I said...Holy Shit Dad.”
I looked as Jesus and apologized.
Jesus smiled and said: “We understand. He has been living with us long enough. We know.
Jesus took me to a back room, showed me the shower and handed me a stack of clean clothes. They were his own and I could tell they were not old clothes. Jesus was not like that. He was very giving.
I took a cold shower, and as I scrubbed, I noticed that I still had JD’s blood on parts of my body. The anger came again and I knew I had to kill Felix.
No matter what I did, Killing Felix was at the top of my mind. I couldn’t think about my family, my freedom...Nothing. I would kill Felix.
I got out of the shower, threw on The clothes Felix gave me. The shirt was about two sizes too small but it was clean. On the back it said “Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente” with a dog face on it.
Prison time didn’t leave much fat on my body and I did benefit from cycling the entire time I was there. Wearing the tight shirt didn’t bother me. I looked in the mirror, brushed my hair with what must have been Jesus’ wife’s hair brush. I looked pretty good. Well, all good Except for my eyes. They were different. There was a coldness to them that I didn’t have previously. Perhaps it was my imagination.
I walked in and everyone was seated eating Dinner. My Dad looked up and smiled and said: Damn Ed, they must have a Baby Gap around here. What does that say on that shirt? I shrugged my shoulders as Jesus explained that it was a futbol shirt. Again, my thought turned to Felix. Until my Dad cut in: “Ed will really appreciate that shirt. He can wear it when he gets home and goes on a date with his boyfriend Jake.”
Again, under my breath “Holy shit Dad.”
My Dad under his breath said “You’ll have to remind me to tell you about your buddy Jake. I had to run that little bastard off.”
I smiled and we spent the next half hour eating some of the most delicious food I’ve ever eaten.
After we were done eating my Dad and I retired to the family room and sat on the couch. My Dad reached under the cushion and slowly retrieved his .357 and slid it behind the waistband of his wranglers. He smiled and I shook my head. “Holy shit Dad.” That’s all I could say. Jesus excused himself and said he’d be back in a half hour and we could stay as long as we would like. Jesus’ children ran around the house playing and laughing. They were hilarious.
Mrs. Calderon was a very pretty woman and there was something comforting about how she smiled and played with her children. It made me miss my own wife and maybe my old Playboy that I left at La Mesa. No homo. She disappeared for a while and then she called my name from the back room:” Senor Ed please come back here.” My Dad looked up, smiled, and winked. Looks like you are in trouble.
Holy shit kids. I wasn’t quite sure if I was ready for more trouble.

To be continued...
All my Love,
No homo
Ed