We Were Here

Miguel, Mong, and Rondell run blindly through the hills of San Francisco. Miguel notes that “[s]ome people turned to watch us run by” (98); he speculates as to what these strangers thought of them. Miguel also notes the irony in the fact that “just four months ago I was sitting on a couch back in Stockton with my big bro, breaking apart Oreo cookies” (99). He is terrified of being apprehended and returned to juvenile hall, and expresses anger at Mong for having ruined their chances of getting a ride to Mexico from Mei-li. Mong, who is clearly ill and vomits after the effort of running, nonetheless attacks Miguel. The pair wrestle until Rondell separates them, at which point Mong vomits again. Miguel is appalled to realize that he is “actually happy Mong was sick” (101), and is horrified by the person he (Miguel) has become.

Several hours pass. Mong suggests that the group travel south toward Mexico and sleep on the beaches en route. Rondell is excited by this plan, stating, “I really wanna be a fisherman now” (103). Mong smiles at this remark and Miguel wonders if he’s schizophrenic, since the pair were fighting so violently shortly before this.