Summary

Book II, “Because a Single Lawyer Can Steal More Money Than a Hundred Men with Guns” (83) begins with Chapter 1, “My Growing Up and All That Piri Thomas Kinda Crap” (85).

When Alberto Salazar's body was found, Chino knew who killed him and he knew Blanca would know as well. Chino flashes back to junior high school, when the teachers often put down the Latinx students like himself and Sapo. A science teacher named Jose Tapia was kind and encouraging, but an English teacher named Mr. Blessington frequently insulted them. One day, Sapo talked back to Mr. Blessington during class and Mr. Blessington put him in a headlock. In response, Sapo bit Mr. Blessington on the shoulder, taking out a chunk of flesh and spitting it back in the teacher's face. Sapo then ran to the bathroom, where he was found by Mr...