Pigeon English

It’s the last month of school before summer break, and Harri wants to learn how to properly kiss a girl, so he can kiss Poppy. He reluctantly agrees to have Miquita show him how. Instead, she takes advantage of him and forces herself on him to a sickening degree, so much so that Lydia needs to intervene. Everything comes to a head and Lydia blurts out to Miquita: “‘At least my boyfriend’s not a murderer’” (225). Everything stops, then Lydia tells Miquita that she should not put up with the abuse she takes from Killa. Lydia commands Miquita to leave their apartment.

There is a moment of joy and relief amongst the harsh reality of Harri’s environment when he wins a race at school, making him the fastest runner in his year. However, this joy is fleeting, as a crisis boils at home with Auntie Sonia, who feels that she must leave so Julius does not cause more danger or harm to her and her family. Her leg is in a cast, which Harri suspects is the work of the Persuader. As she is leaving, Auntie Sonia remarks on the graffiti on the door, which just reads: “DEAD.