Contest (chapter 1;part 2)

“You walk way to fast,” she says emphasizing the way so that it sounds more like a why.

“Sorry,” I apologize without any feeling. “It’s just we’re in a race and speed is important. Anyway, do you have the clue? We can find out what we’re looking for as we wait.”

She shuffles through a dark leather purse that is hanging at her shoulder, pulling out an incredibly wrinkled little tan ball of Bristol and hands it to me with a smile.

“Thanks,” I say. This is another thing that annoys me about the Puerto Rican beauty, she insists on keeping all the clues, but she treats them terribly. They are always wrinkled, broken, smudged, and dirty. I mean, I’m not a neat freak or anything but is it really so hard to keep a piece of paper in good conditions? I unroll the ball and read the elegant calligraphy out loud.


“A strange clue this can be
Bu not everything is sugar free
And now it’s time that you encounter
The playing and the banter
Of many little kids

A glass block filled with colors
Traditional flavors and others
For every taste and every one
Eaten in Paris, Bolivia, and Taiwan

Just find the present kids adore
Search through the store that has galore
Find a present for your hostess
And when you do you will be closest
To moving on in this cool game.”

I finish reading with a rhythmic tone that I had not either intended or noticed, and roll the paper back into its tight little wrap.

“What do you think it could mean? It is just so hard, I mean it’s like impossible to find a glass block, don’t you think?” Rita asks me, really intending to help. However, this effort makes me want to slap her no less. Is she really that stupid? I force myself to calm down, smile at her, and politely say, “Um, Rita,” in my most appreciative voice. “I think we are already at the block, it’s the candy store.” I point at the building which is now only a kid and a mom away from us. “Most of the clue is telling us where we have to go, but we’re already here. The only lines that talk about what we have to do now are the last three. Find a present for your hostess and when you do you will be closest to moving on in this cool game.” I recite, watching her for any signs of comprehension. She just laughs a little and nods away. Getting no response I keep on going. “So we have to find something for Laura, but the problem is I don’t know what. Any ideas?” I ask her more for my sake than hers, not really expecting a logical answer.

“Well,” she coos with a pensive voice, “maybe she told the people in the store what she wants, like her favorite candy or something you know so it’s n-” She is interrupted by the man in the apron.