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by Susan Straight

Contributed by NobleBibliophile506

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References To Other Books

Direct References

Geology

Fidelia opened a book. “Geology. Look at how many layers are under the dirt. Way more than three.”

Thomas Guide

I got out my old Thomas Guide. Sunset Boulevard up to Los Feliz. Dundee Drive.

Paddington Bear

Antonio still uses the small fork with Paddington Bear on it.

The Bible

Not to honor his grandmere when she passed last year—he wanted her name Felonise and a Bible verse. He picked out “You are a lamp unto my feet.” He said Kawhi had Bible verses.

The Wizard of Oz

Then you got tall. At night I would look at you sleeping and you were like the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.

Carmen Jones

Larette tested him on lyrics to each song she sang, in every musical. Carmen Jones.

The Wiz

Larette tested him on lyrics to each song she sang, in every musical. Carmen Jones. The Wiz.

Grease

Larette tested him on lyrics to each song she sang, in every musical. Carmen Jones. The Wiz. Grease.

The Sound of Music

But to torture him in front of Tyrone or Manny’s parents or his uncle, she always picked The Sound of Music. It was just familiar enough that they’d all recognize something to laugh at.

Harriet the Spy

Ximena had bought herself ten new notebooks, at Rite Aid. They were the notebooks used by Harriet the Spy. One of Fidelia’s favorite books when she was small.

Between Heaven and Here

FICTION Between Heaven and Here Take One Candle Light a Room

Take One Candle Light a Room

Between Heaven and Here Take One Candle Light a Room A Million Nightingales

A Million Nightingales

Take One Candle Light a Room A Million Nightingales Highwire Moon

Highwire Moon

A Million Nightingales Highwire Moon The Gettin Place

The Gettin Place

Highwire Moon The Gettin Place Blacker Than a Thousand Midnights

Blacker Than a Thousand Midnights

The Gettin Place Blacker Than a Thousand Midnights I Been in Sorrow’s Kitchen and Licked Out All the Pots

I Been in Sorrow’s Kitchen and Licked Out All the Pots

Blacker Than a Thousand Midnights I Been in Sorrow’s Kitchen and Licked Out All the Pots Aquaboogie

Aquaboogie

I Been in Sorrow’s Kitchen and Licked Out All the Pots Aquaboogie NONFICTION In the Country of Women

In the Country of Women

NONFICTION In the Country of Women

Highwire Moon

Susan Straight is the author of eight novels, including the national bestseller Highwire Moon, a finalist for the National Book Award, and A Million Nightingales, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, as well as the memoir In the Country of Women, named a best book of 2019 by NPR.

A Million Nightingales

Susan Straight is the author of eight novels, including the national bestseller Highwire Moon, a finalist for the National Book Award, and A Million Nightingales, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, as well as the memoir In the Country of Women, named a best book of 2019 by NPR.

In the Country of Women

Susan Straight is the author of eight novels, including the national bestseller Highwire Moon, a finalist for the National Book Award, and A Million Nightingales, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, as well as the memoir In the Country of Women, named a best book of 2019 by NPR.

ESPN Magazine

Several of these chapters previously appeared, in different form, in the following publications: ESPN Magazine (“Angel Wings”), Granta (“The Lyrids, the Eta Aquariids, the Perseids” as “The Perseids”), Alta (“Ribs, Muscle, Bone”), Orange County Noir (“Bee Canyon” as “The Phantom of Bee Canyon”), and Black Clock (“San Luis Rey” as “Archaeology,” and “Todos Mrs. Bunny”).

Granta

Several of these chapters previously appeared, in different form, in the following publications: ESPN Magazine (“Angel Wings”), Granta (“The Lyrids, the Eta Aquariids, the Perseids” as “The Perseids”), Alta (“Ribs, Muscle, Bone”), Orange County Noir (“Bee Canyon” as “The Phantom of Bee Canyon”), and Black Clock (“San Luis Rey” as “Archaeology,” and “Todos Mrs. Bunny”).

Alta

Several of these chapters previously appeared, in different form, in the following publications: ESPN Magazine (“Angel Wings”), Granta (“The Lyrids, the Eta Aquariids, the Perseids” as “The Perseids”), Alta (“Ribs, Muscle, Bone”), Orange County Noir (“Bee Canyon” as “The Phantom of Bee Canyon”), and Black Clock (“San Luis Rey” as “Archaeology,” and “Todos Mrs. Bunny”).

Orange County Noir

Several of these chapters previously appeared, in different form, in the following publications: ESPN Magazine (“Angel Wings”), Granta (“The Lyrids, the Eta Aquariids, the Perseids” as “The Perseids”), Alta (“Ribs, Muscle, Bone”), Orange County Noir (“Bee Canyon” as “The Phantom of Bee Canyon”), and Black Clock (“San Luis Rey” as “Archaeology,” and “Todos Mrs. Bunny”).

Black Clock

Several of these chapters previously appeared, in different form, in the following publications: ESPN Magazine (“Angel Wings”), Granta (“The Lyrids, the Eta Aquariids, the Perseids” as “The Perseids”), Alta (“Ribs, Muscle, Bone”), Orange County Noir (“Bee Canyon” as “The Phantom of Bee Canyon”), and Black Clock (“San Luis Rey” as “Archaeology,” and “Todos Mrs. Bunny”).

Indirect References

Unknown

“Plains Indians used every part of the buffalo,” Joachim reads to me now from his book. “Even the hoofs and tail.”

Referenced By

No books reference this book

Places Referenced

Alvarado Street, Los Angeles, California
"the old gym on Sunset Boulevard near Alvarado was closed now."
Anza Ranch, Orange County, California
"And in the middle, we lived two miles up a dirt ranch road into the hills, on Anza Ranch, in Fuego Canyon."
USC Hospital, Los Angeles, California
"I work in the Neonatal Unit at USC Hospital."
Rubidoux, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
San Bernardino, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Riverside, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Sacramento, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Los Angeles, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Ontario, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Echo Park, Los Angeles, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Anaheim, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Corona, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Calexico, California
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
Fuego Canyon, California
"…the old redwood chair my father had tied to the porch railing, up in Fuego Canyon, while the Santa Anas blew in the black night when they always started."
Santa Ana River, California
"Fuego Canyon FUEGO CANYON THE SANTA ANA RIVER BETWEEN YORBA LINDA AND CORONA"
Yorba Linda, California
"…THE SANTA ANA RIVER BETWEEN YORBA LINDA AND CORONA"
Corona, California
"…THE SANTA ANA RIVER BETWEEN YORBA LINDA AND CORONA"
Katella exit, Anaheim, California
"I moved down the fast lane past the Katella exit. The old way to get to Disneyland."
Disneyland, Anaheim, California
"The old way to get to Disneyland."
Chino Hills, California
"…an overturned big rig up near the Chino Hills, and downed branches on most of the surface streets."
Anaheim, California
"We were way up in the mountains between Anaheim and Irvine."
Irvine, California
"We were way up in the mountains between Anaheim and Irvine."
Buttonwillow, California
"Lena was the oldest of eleven kids, born in Buttonwillow."
Tustin, California
"I lit up a 1978 Cadillac Eldorado near Tustin. Original white with rag top."
La Habra, California
"I had to go see him one day, out in La Habra. He’d retired four years ago…"
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
"…Hundreds of miles of strip malls, housing tracts, Disneyland, and Knott’s Berry Farm."
Palm Springs, California
"…’Come on, man, I’m late for a meeting in Palm Springs.’"
Stanford, California
"…She’s moving up to Stanford. Going to law school."
Fullerton, California
"Janine Hughes. Thirty-six. Fullerton. Two car seats empty in the back…"
Placentia, California
"Then they moved to Placentia. Right there. I pointed to the hills above Placentia, where it used to be orange groves."
La Jolla Camp, San Diego, California
"He said, 'La Jolla Camp?' I was surprised. 'Yeah, that was the old ranch camp."
91 Freeway, Anaheim, California
"Brazilian pepper trees, the ones that grew in every vacant lot or frontage road area along the 91 and the 55 freeways."
55 Freeway, Anaheim, California
"Brazilian pepper trees, the ones that grew in every vacant lot or frontage road area along the 91 and the 55 freeways."
Santa Ana, California
"When I left the pink box of two dozen at the Santa Ana Division where I worked."
Orange Crush, Anaheim, California
"I headed west again, toward the Orange Crush, where the Golden State Freeway, the Garden Grove Freeway, and the Pomona Freeway meet—half a million cars get tangled up there every day."
Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, California
"…where the Golden State Freeway, the Garden Grove Freeway, and the Pomona Freeway meet—half a million cars get tangled up there every day."
Garden Grove Freeway, Garden Grove, California
"…where the Golden State Freeway, the Garden Grove Freeway, and the Pomona Freeway meet—half a million cars get tangled up there every day."
Pomona Freeway, Pomona, California
"…where the Golden State Freeway, the Garden Grove Freeway, and the Pomona Freeway meet—half a million cars get tangled up there every day."
Riverside Freeway, Riverside, California
"I got on the Riverside Freeway, the 91, and moved through the stalled traffic slowly, steering the Harley down the line between the carpool lanes and the fast lane…"
Los Angeles, California
"…unless we got a pursuit, and then we might go all the way to the desert, or through LA, or down toward San Diego, until the vehicle pulled over."
San Diego, California
"…unless we got a pursuit, and then we might go all the way to the desert, or through LA, or down toward San Diego, until the vehicle pulled over."
Huntington Beach, California
"I’d never forget the night four teenagers hadn’t tied down their expensive surfboards, were heading for night surfing at Huntington Beach, and all four boards went sliding across the lanes."
Box Canyon, Orange County, California
"I got off the freeway near Box Canyon, looked out at the Santa Ana River, the tall arundo cane and eucalyptus trees…"
Gypsum Canyon, Orange County, California
"From the east, Gypsum Canyon and Coal Canyon."
Coal Canyon, Orange County, California
"From the east, Gypsum Canyon and Coal Canyon."
Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
"the old gym on Sunset Boulevard near Alvarado was closed now."
Fuego Canyon, California
"Before I put on my helmet and got back on the road, I looked at Fuego Canyon, across the riverbed."
Santa Ana River, California
"I got off the freeway near Box Canyon, looked out at the Santa Ana River, the tall arundo cane and eucalyptus trees…"
Bee Canyon, California
"Then I looked at Bee Canyon, about a mile east. When I was twenty, I’d killed a man in Bee Canyon, and his bones were buried there."
Chino, California
"Five canyons between the Santa Ana River and the mountains that separated Orange County from Chino."
Newport Channel, Newport Beach, California
"I always hoped he’d washed all the way down the Santa Ana, into the Newport Channel, and out to the Pacific Ocean, one bone at a time."
Jalisco, Mexico
"Manny and I grew up together, since we were three, when his parents got here from Jalisco."
Fontana, California
"Now he ran the shop with his dad, in Fontana."
San Bernardino, California
"She was manager at a KFC in San Bernardino."
Sacramento, California
"All four of us had gone to the academy up in Sacramento for CHP, but I was the only one who made it through training and got a badge."
Santa Ana, California
"Out of Santa Ana Division, we rode 225 miles of freeway on patrol…"
Bryant Ranch, Orange County, California
"…led to where the old Bryant Ranch used to be."
Fullerton, California
"I was in Fullerton when Manny called me. “Hey, can you meet me at your house in half an hour? Just for five minutes, mano. I know you don’t get breaks. But I really need those rims for the Impala from your garage. Five minutes.”"
Disneyland, Anaheim, California
"I took the 5 past Disneyland, hoping dispatch wouldn’t call with a collision, hoping no one would do something egregious—my friend Justin Pham’s favorite word."
Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, California
"I took a history class at Santa Ana College, when I was getting my AA degree."
Stanford, California
"She had just graduated from Stanford, she was teaching summer school, working on her master’s degree in history at UCLA."
UCLA, Los Angeles, California
"She had just graduated from Stanford, she was teaching summer school, working on her master’s degree in history at UCLA."
Downey, California
"She grew up in Downey—the Mexican Beverly Hills."
Los Angeles, California
"My dad said, “She never saw this much dirt in her life. She would never last here, mijo. You better move there to LA. With her.”"
Westwood, Los Angeles, California
"Her father got her an apartment in Westwood."
Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
"I got out my old Thomas Guide. Sunset Boulevard up to Los Feliz. Dundee Drive."
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
"I got out my old Thomas Guide. Sunset Boulevard up to Los Feliz. Dundee Drive. I always wondered who named that neighborhood Los Feliz."
Dundee Drive, Los Angeles, California
"I got out my old Thomas Guide. Sunset Boulevard up to Los Feliz. Dundee Drive."
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
"I went to the apartment building on Catalina first because I figured nobody would notice me in Hollywood."
Catalina Avenue, Hollywood, California
"One from 1997. Bunny Angela Gunnarson. An address on Catalina Avenue, in Hollywood."
Dodge City, Kansas, United States
"Just who pulls the gun first. In Dodge City."
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
"I’d leave the downtown courthouse, drive up toward Dodger Stadium, where my dad’s friend Luis Padilla used to live in Chavez Ravine before everyone got kicked out when they built Dodger Stadium."
Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, California
"I’d leave the downtown courthouse, drive up toward Dodger Stadium, where my dad’s friend Luis Padilla used to live in Chavez Ravine before everyone got kicked out when they built Dodger Stadium."
Santa Ana River, California
"Chispa CHISPA SANTA ANA RIVER AND 91 FREEWAY"
Moreno Valley, California
"A CHP deputy had pulled over an ex-con near Moreno Valley last month, and the guy’s truck was full of rifles."
Lake Elsinore, California
"She’d been rear-ended by a white work truck, a 2006 Ford F-150. Rich Porter. Forty-eight. Lake Elsinore."
Corona, California
"I went east for another two miles, got off on Lincoln in Corona, where Manny and I used to have our apartment"
Green River Road, Corona, California
"I had to work a collision near Green River Road, where there were always distracted drivers."
Anza Ranch House, Corona, California
"Like in the picture up at the Anza ranch house, the historic painting of her people who came here before California was called California. Before America was called America."
Our Lady of the Sacrament, Santa Ana, California
"We went to Our Lady of the Sacrament, in Santa Ana, since that was the church of my father’s cousin Iris Valdez."
Chino, California
"My father was born in Chino, where the big dairies were."
Placentia, California
"He lived there until his parents moved to Placentia."
Yorba Linda, California
"When I was little, and we were at a store in Yorba Linda or Fullerton, and someone would say, “Go back to Mexico!”"
Fullerton, California
"When I was little, and we were at a store in Yorba Linda or Fullerton, and someone would say, “Go back to Mexico!” or call us “fucking illegal aliens,” my mother would say, “Mi gente estaba aquí antes que tu gente.”"
Norco, California
"Bill Densmore. Norco, CA. The truck bed full of pool cleaning equipment, hoses, and buckets of chemicals."
Vermont, United States
"It was up in the hills above Vermont."
Pacific Ocean, Earth
"I always hoped he’d washed all the way down the Santa Ana, into the Newport Channel, and out to the Pacific Ocean, one bone at a time."
Fuego Canyon, California
"We were between Bee Canyon and Fuego Canyon. My father, always vigilant, would already see the smoke and flames."
91 Freeway, Anaheim, California
"Chispa CHISPA SANTA ANA RIVER AND 91 FREEWAY"
Bee Canyon, California
"I looked at her driver’s license. What was she doing in Bee Canyon?"
Lincoln Street, Mecca, California, United States
"got off on Lincoln in Corona, where Manny and I used to have our apartment"
Gypsum Canyon Road, Santa Ana, California, United States
"There was only one exit past Green River Road, before Gypsum Canyon Road."
Coal Canyon Road, Santa Ana, California, United States
"the pendejo headed down Coal Canyon Road, the narrow asphalt frontage road along the riverbed."
Jalisco, Mexico
"His father’s father was from the mountains of Jalisco, and he was brought to California in 1889, when he was seven."
Coachella, California
"“I’m supposed to make it to Coachella,” she said. “That’s where the shoot is. For a preview for next year’s festival.”"
Coachella, California
"Coachella COACHELLA NEAR INTERSTATE 10"
Indio, California
"Everything could be sold at the swap meet in Indio—robes, towels, sheets"
Calexico, California
"In the garage, outside Calexico, the coyote had flashed the penlight into Elpidia’s face"
Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
"José and Guillermo, born in Mexicali, who worked on all the machines and pipes in the buildings."
Los Angeles, California
"“From LA,” Luz said. “LA women are never finished.”"
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
"Ximena and Elpidia were to say calmly, Mecca, to every question or shout, and to pull out their ID cards, which they had gotten from their uncle. We live in Mecca. We were born in Mecca."
Oaxaca, Mexico
"In Oaxaca, in San Cristóbal, the world had three layers."
San Cristóbal, Oaxaca, Mexico
"In Oaxaca, in San Cristóbal, the world had three layers."
Bombay Beach, California
"Their four sons had married and lived in Oasis and Bombay Beach."
Oasis, California
"Their four sons had married and lived in Oasis and Bombay Beach."
Torres Martinez Indian Reservation, California
"Then the wheels jostled off the asphalt and headed down a dirt road where the sign read TORRES MARTINEZ INDIAN RESERVATION—TRIBAL LAND."
Indio, California
"Fernando worked nights at the polo grounds in Indio, at the stables, watching the horses; he kept watch at the rancho in the day."
Fillmore, California
"The truck went down 66th Avenue for five more miles, until Fillmore. Another president."
Calimesa, California
"They got out in a parking lot. A Shell gas station. In a place called Calimesa."
Los Angeles, California
"After miles of houses and shopping malls, they entered steep hills and canyons near Los Angeles."
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
"“If we live at Uncle Epifanio’s, he said you work in a hotel in Hollywood. LA guys for you, Elpidia. You can forget Carlos.”"
Calexico, California
"Fingers like uncooked rice. Three months and two weeks after Calexico."
Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
"Calexico. Mexicali. The canal between the countries."
Dundee Drive, Los Angeles, California
"Then she saw the orange bottle. The label. Barbara Angel Goldman. 8989 Dundee Drive, Los Angeles, California, 90027."
Coachella, California
"Fidelia had printed out a map of the desert and taped it onto the page. Coachella was from conchilla. A tiny shell that used to be in this lake."
Coal Canyon Road, Santa Ana, California, United States
"…Justin Pham, Rob Jekel, and Evan Sims had shown up in three CHP units, blocking off Coal Canyon Road and Gypsum Canyon Road, and monitoring the smoke on the freeway lanes."
Gypsum Canyon Road, Santa Ana, California, United States
"…Justin Pham, Rob Jekel, and Evan Sims had shown up in three CHP units, blocking off Coal Canyon Road and Gypsum Canyon Road, and monitoring the smoke on the freeway lanes."
Santa Ana High School, Santa Ana, California, United States
"I didn’t make any new friends at Santa Ana High School. I played baseball one more year, hung out with my primo Tony and his friends…"
Camp Manzanar, California, United States
"…her people couldn’t be buried in the Fullerton cemetery after they came back from being imprisoned in Camp Manzanar during World War II."
Fullerton Cemetery, Fullerton, California, United States
"…her people couldn’t be buried in the Fullerton cemetery after they came back from being imprisoned in Camp Manzanar during World War II."
West Sacramento, California, United States
"In 1999, five of us went up to West Sacramento."
Yucca Valley, California, United States
"…the practice course we made way out in Yucca Valley, in the desert."
Mexico City, Mexico
"…he’d been a master stonecutter in Mexico City, where he’d worked only on churches."
Michoacán, Mexico
"Manny had Purépecha from Michoacán."
Santa Clarita, California, United States
"…he’d work in places like Santa Clarita and Torrance for weeks at a time."
Torrance, California
"…he’d work in places like Santa Clarita and Torrance for weeks at a time."
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
"…'I don’t think he remembers his mom. She was from Tijuana."
Zacatecas, Mexico
"Tubas and trumpets. A man singing about Zacatecas."
New Orleans, Louisiana
"…he said he was from the Wild Tchoupitoulas people in New Orleans—the people that hid slaves when they ran away."
Venice, Italy
"Now he’s a big Instagram star and he runs a famous capoeira studio in Venice."
San Bernardino, California
"A week later, we drove to San Bernardino, filled up the truck with white round rocks near my father’s friend Bobby Carter Sr.’s house…"
Anaheim, California
"My fifth‐grade teacher—Mrs. Morita—was Japanese American. Her parents were born in Anaheim, right near where Disneyland is."
Corona, California
"I met this dude in Corona, he’s been CHP for five years and he makes big dinero."
Santa Ana River, California
"Anza Crossing ANZA CROSSING THE SANTA ANA RIVER"
Yorba Linda, California
"Ruby was sixty‐five, born in Yorba Linda."
Placentia, California
"…so on Monday she and Mrs. Delgado went to work in the packing house down in Placentia."
Huntington Beach, California
"Miller Junior wasn’t from Indiana. He was born in Huntington Beach."
Fontana, California
"They knew a guy in Fontana who sold Harleys for cheap."
Seven Palms, Indio, California, United States
"the cottages at Seven Palms: A Desert Medi-Spa Experience"
Rialto, California
"He started a carburetor and custom shop in Rialto."
Anza Narrows, Orange County, California, United States
"We had the party a few miles up the river from here, at Anza Narrows. Where Juan Bautista de Anza and his people built a wooden bridge and crossed the river."
Huntington Beach, California
"One of the skinheads said, “Stay the fuck outta Huntington Beach. Bro.”"
Sacramento, California
"Miller stood up and said, “You good at boxing? Cause that’s what we’re gonna do now. Next week up in Sacramento is fight club.”"
Los Angeles, California
"Merry met a guy in LA, had a son named Tenerife, and her son was her life after they broke up."
Old Highway 215, San Luis Rey, California
"SAN LUIS REY OLD HIGHWAY 215, INTERSTATE 15, AND PALA ROAD"
Interstate 15, San Luis Rey, California
"SAN LUIS REY OLD HIGHWAY 215, INTERSTATE 15, AND PALA ROAD"
Pala Road, San Luis Rey, California
"SAN LUIS REY OLD HIGHWAY 215, INTERSTATE 15, AND PALA ROAD"
Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, California
"Our field trip is February 10. We moved up the time for our special outing to Mission San Luis Rey! We will be taking a long bus ride and need parent volunteers!"
San Juan Capistrano, California
"Normally we go to San Juan Capistrano," she tells me the week before, when I pick up Joachim after school. "But that one’s so touristy and crowded. I have a good friend who works at San Luis Rey and she’ll give us a special tour. We need four parent chaperones and Joachim volunteered you! He told me you love missions!"
San Bernardino, California
"Because now Reynaldo’s not a brother born in and raised in San Bernardino. He’s Rey. No last name."
San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino, California
"They met in high school doing theater. Then they went to San Bernardino Valley College, where she did musicals, and he built the sets."
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
"They say I was born in Brazil. In Rio."
San Francisco, California
"Daddy has a big capoeira festival next week in San Francisco."
Santa Ana, California
"We drove down the 91 toward Santa Ana."
Fuego Canyon, California
"I grew up in Fuego Canyon," he said."
Bee Canyon, California
"But the fire skipped us and went for Bee Canyon. Burned the hell out of that one."
Santa Ana River, California
"We went to a big party near the Santa Ana River, I went with my cousins Merry and Larette..."
Houma, Louisiana
"Her aunt Pearl was from Houma, Louisiana, and they knew my mom."
Sacramento, California
"He had been gone for three months, living at the academy way up in Sacramento."
New Orleans, Louisiana
"His dad was old-school New Orleans, but he’d lived everywhere, being in the Air Force."
São Paulo, Brazil
"He performs with guys from São Paulo and Rio."
Oaxaca, Mexico
"The women who own the taqueria are from Oaxaca. Araceli and Serafina."
New York, New York
"They go to festivals all over California, Nevada, even New York."
Brazil, South America
"Reynaldo didn’t call to tell them about Brazil. I can’t believe it. … ‘Shit, it’s dangerous in Brazil. I see the news.’"
Bahia, Brazil
"He’s taking me to Brazil this summer. Not Rio cause that’s where everybody goes. He’s checking out Bahia."
Rio Seco, California
"I smile at him. ‘I’m from here, Born in Rio Seco, California.’"
San Bernardino, California
"‘Born in San Bernardino, California.’"
Santa Barbara, California
"I made a little sign that said Santa Barbara because that sounded beautiful."
San Diego, California
"Then we get on the 15 toward San Diego, and the wind roars loud."
San Juan Capistrano, California
"‘I’m making San Juan Capistrano,’ Dakota says. Also, the mission is compared: ‘It’s not a fancy flower‐covered place, like Capistrano.’"
Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, California
"We see the mission. It’s not a fancy flower‐covered place, like Capistrano. San Luis Rey is dark, set alone on a knoll. Austere."
Perris, California
"Old Highway 215, where Uncle Enrique always brought crateloads of oranges to Perris and Temecula."
Temecula, California
"Old Highway 215, where Uncle Enrique always brought crateloads of oranges to Perris and Temecula."
Indio, California
"at the Fantasy Springs casino in Indio"
Los Angeles, California
"‘She lives in LA.’"
County/USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
"‘Larette didn’t answer her phone. Go get her. Please. And come. County/USC. He’s downstairs. My son is downstairs in surgery.’"
Barona Reservation, California
"My wife met somebody from Barona about three years ago. Another reservation. She moved down there and she works at that casino."
Pala Indian Reservation, California
"My mom and Domenica are buried on the rez at Pala, and now we got the casino, so they’re laughing."
Pala Casino Restaurant, Pala, California
"not at the Pala casino restaurant but at the Fantasy Springs casino in Indio."
Central Avenue and 52nd Street, South Los Angeles
"ANGEL WINGS CENTRAL AVENUE AND 52ND STREET, SOUTH LOS ANGELES"
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
"His mom was from Tijuana, but she died when he was little."
Venice, Italy
"Reynaldo left her and moved to Venice, just last year. He loved the beach more than her and his sons."
Anza Ranch, Orange County, California
"ANZA RANCH, the wooden sign read. NO TRESPASSING."
Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, California
"I did what Luis Padilla taught me and Manny in his boxing club, up by old Chavez Ravine."
Gypsum Canyon Road, Santa Ana, California, United States
"We got off on Gypsum Canyon Road. The fire had started on the edge of the freeway and tore up the riverbed..."
San Fernando, California, United States
"Manny shrugged. “Lena said Yvette moved to San Fernando. She met some dude who owns a cement company.”"
Pala Road, San Luis Rey, California
"Finally we take Pala Road, winding down through avocado groves."
Houma, Louisiana
"Because I would always see Aunt Opal’s yard, remember, Larette? Down in Houma? They took us to Louisiana that summer. I was ten. You were, eight, right?"
New Orleans, Louisiana
"You didn’t sleep New Orleans to LA? When I tell you what happened, you can’t say a word."
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
"Ask her why she doesn’t have to move outta Los Feliz or Studio City or wherever she lives."
Orange County, California
"I remember that last tournament, you and Matelasse brought your boys? I remember the roster from some Orange County team. All Joshua and Jeremiah and Jonah. From the Bible."
Arizona, United States
"But he wanted Arizona. When Tavares said, 'Boy, I woulda killed to go to UCLA,' Tenerife said, 'Then you shoulda played better. You shoulda took your own advice."
UCLA, Los Angeles, California
"When Tavares said, 'Boy, I woulda killed to go to UCLA,'..."
Old Route 66, California, United States
"RIBS, MUSCLE, BONE OLD ROUTE 66, RIALTO AND SAN BERNARDINO"
Rialto, California
"We live in Rialto. San Bernardino is two blocks east."
San Bernardino, California
"We live in Rialto. San Bernardino is two blocks east."
Old Cucamonga Road, Rialto, California
"The Old Cucamonga Road was near the end of our driveway. Now it was Old Route 66."
Fashion Island, Newport Beach, California
"She got a job at the Clinique counter, at Nordstrom in Fashion Island. In Newport Beach."
Garden Grove, California
"For the last four Sundays, my mother had been taking me all the way to Garden Grove, to the Crystal Cathedral."
Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, California
"My mother had been taking me all the way to Garden Grove, to the Crystal Cathedral."
Los Angeles, California
"Then we went to Los Angeles for the memorial service for Tenerife and his mom, Merry."
Baseline Avenue, San Bernardino, California
"Baseline Avenue. The first street that ran from San Bernardino all the way to LA. I know,"
Rancho Cucamonga, California
"I drove his truck along the old sandy roads where the vineyards used to be in Cucamonga."
San Diego, California
"I was going to leave for college in two weeks. But only to San Diego—to study engineering. Ninety miles away—I could be home in two hours."
Sudan, Africa
"This one lady cried first time she came in. She was from Sudan. Like her husband was one of those Lost Boys."
Route 66, United States
"Get your kicks on Route 66 … Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bern-ar-di-no …"
Santa Ana River, California
"A huge male bobcat came up from the Santa Ana River and walked right down Riverside Avenue in Colton"
Riverside Avenue, Colton, California
"… walked right down Riverside Avenue in Colton, into a warehouse where the workers freaked out and called Animal Control."
Lytle Creek, California
"He took the bobcat up to Lytle Creek and left it there in a canyon, waiting in the county truck until he could see the cat wake up and walk into the brush."
Minerva Court, San Bernardino, California
"“We’re the last ones on Minerva Court,” his father said."
Flagstaff, Arizona
"Get your kicks on Route 66 … Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bern-ar-di-no …"
Winona, Arizona
"Get your kicks on Route 66 … Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bern-ar-di-no …"
Kingman, Arizona
"Get your kicks on Route 66 … Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bern-ar-di-no …"
Barstow, California
"Get your kicks on Route 66 … Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bern-ar-di-no …"
San Bernardino, California
"Get your kicks on Route 66 … Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bern-ar-di-no …"
Rialto, California
"The animals had started taking over the earth all around San Bernardino, Rialto, and Fontana."
Fontana, California
"The animals had started taking over the earth all around San Bernardino, Rialto, and Fontana."
Las Vegas, Nevada
"… went through the San Bernardino Mountains to Barstow, and on to Las Vegas."
Los Angeles, California
"Last summer, she’d been in LA all the time, staying with Tenerife’s mom after he got shot."
St. Bernardine’s, San Bernardino, California
"Then in fall, his dad’s best friend Bobby Carter had a heart attack, so she stayed in ICU at St. Bernardine’s with him,"
215 Freeway, San Bernardino, California
"Dante’s house was on the last hundred yards of dirt where the land opened up to scrub and the arroyo along the 215 freeway, where it then headed up the Cajon Pass..."
Box Springs, California
"Over by Box Springs, there are wild burros."
Wigwam Motel, Rialto, California
"Right past the Wigwam Motel."
San Bernardino Mountains, California
"… headed up the Cajon Pass and went through the San Bernardino Mountains to Barstow..."
San Bernardino, California
"A black bear punctured a big inflatable pool, in San Bernardino."
Cajon Pass, San Bernardino, California
"He listened to the constant sirens, and the long whine and downshift of semitrucks heading down the Cajon Pass into San Bernardino."
Baseline Avenue, San Bernardino, California
"It hadn’t been ten minutes when he heard the shitty little white Ford Ranger truck laboring up Baseline Avenue toward his street."
Meridian, San Bernardino, California
"Baseline and Meridian. The beginning of southern California, where some old white man had laid out the streets that went all the way to LA and Hollywood and Santa Monica."
Los Angeles, California
"Baseline and Meridian. The beginning of southern California, where some old white man had laid out the streets that went all the way to LA and Hollywood and Santa Monica."
Anza Crossing, California
"Remember the party at Anza Crossing, by the river?"
Newport Beach, California, United States
"She told him she was moving to Newport Beach, and that in October I would spend Saturday and Sundays there."
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
"Baseline and Meridian. The beginning of southern California, where some old white man had laid out the streets that went all the way to LA and Hollywood and Santa Monica."
Santa Monica, California
"Baseline and Meridian. The beginning of southern California, where some old white man had laid out the streets that went all the way to LA and Hollywood and Santa Monica."
Muscoy Exit, San Bernardino, California
"I found her near the Muscoy exit."
College of the Desert, Palm Desert, California, United States
"Fidelia said, "There’s not gonna be College of the Desert for you. And no UCLA for me. No high school. No graduation. Nothing’s coming back for a long time."
Michoacán, Mexico
"The radio was on 97.5. The Spanish was fast for Ximena. A song about Michoacán."
Interstate 101, Los Angeles, California, United States
"The court was one block of cottages, ending at a high concrete wall where the 101 hummed above, in the sky. The Hollywood Freeway."
California, United States
"To the east was the 5. The Golden State."
Vermont Avenue, Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California, United States
"Her uncle drove east on Sunset, facing the sunrise, then onto Vermont, in Los Feliz."
Magic Castle Hotel, Hollywood, California, United States
"Before the virus, Epifanio used to drop off Queta, Marisol, and Dolores at the Magic Castle Hotel, in Hollywood."
Seven Palms, Indio, California, United States
"Maybe this was a kind old woman whose niece or daughter had been at Seven Palms. The next day, Flor washed and ironed the uniform from Seven Palms."
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
"On the small round top was the photo of Ximena’s mother, taken when she was ten, braids wrapped around her head like a crown, her skirt held wide in each hand for a dance in the zócalo. Liliana. Back in San Cristóbal."
Oaxaca, Mexico
"When it snowed in the mountains in Oaxaca, her grandmother took her to sit beside the perfect light drifts and wait for the first birds to etch their trails."
East Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
"But the phone knew East Hollywood as their location, and Ximena said, “ICE will find us. Google knows our address. It hears us.”"
San Fernando, California, United States
"Right now, Elpidia and Rodolfo might be as far as San Fernando, or Encino."
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
"She didn’t miss Oaxaca as much now as she missed Mecca. Sitting in the plastic chairs under the date palms."
Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
"The first coyote had screamed at her in the same Spanish, on the Mexican side of the border at Mexicali, four teeth lined with gold like tiny gilt‐framed portraits in his open mouth."
College of the Desert, Palm Desert, California, United States
"She could hide the rolls of money until corona was gone, and the College of the Desert was open. Fidelia said in California, anyone could go to community college. Anyone."
Botánica Esperanza y Caridad, Los Angeles, California, United States
"After a long time, she saw the Botánica Esperanza y Caridad. Ximena leaned forward and said, “Here.”"
All-American Canal, Imperial County, California, United States
"the swift waters of the All-American Canal had shoved her sideways, as if snakes roped her legs,"
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
"and then she remembered the dogs in the river back at San Cristóbal, heads up, snouts in the air, legs furious below."
Rialto, California
"I drove the truck from Rialto all the way to Echo Park."
Echo Park, Los Angeles, California
"I drove the truck from Rialto all the way to Echo Park."
Anza Crossing, California
"Back at Anza Crossing."
Los Angeles, California
"The grasshoppers of Los Angeles were gray monsters with razor legs and terrifying skulls that hit Ximena in the face when they flew from the roses."
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
"Last August, when she and Elpidia and Rodolfo had arrived here in Hollywood, Ximena stayed in the bed, crying."
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
"That’s how I got in trouble Saturday. I went down to a wig store in Hollywood. And another place I should never have gone back to."
Phoenix, Arizona
"“Where the hell were you?” “I can’t tell you. Just like you couldn’t tell me.” “Angel.” “Phoenix. Palm Springs.” “With him?” “No.”"
Oaxaca, Mexico
"When the police found her mother’s body inside the car, in the flooded wash of the river outside Oaxaca City."
UCLA, Los Angeles, California
"Fidelia said, "There’s not gonna be College of the Desert for you. And no UCLA for me. No high school. No graduation. Nothing’s coming back for a long time."
Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
"Her uncle drove east on Sunset, facing the sunrise, then onto Vermont, in Los Feliz."
Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
"Angel said the address out loud, and Mrs. Bunny said, “Hollywood? Sunset Boulevard? Shit.”"
Interstate 5, California, United States
"To the east was the 5. The Golden State."
Santa Monica, California
"Los Feliz has small mountains. Santa Monica is the west. We are in the center."
Encino, Los Angeles, California
"Moises had a phone for the median crew that worked the long wide avenues in Encino; and Ximena, because she worked alone at Mrs. Bunny’s, had her own phone."
Encino, Los Angeles, California
"Right now, Elpidia and Rodolfo might be as far as San Fernando, or Encino."
Palm Springs, California
"“Where the hell were you?” “I can’t tell you. Just like you couldn’t tell me.” “Angel.” “Phoenix. Palm Springs.” “With him?” “No.”"
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
"Her uncle drove east on Sunset, facing the sunrise, then onto Vermont, in Los Feliz."
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
"Los Feliz has small mountains. Santa Monica is the west. We are in the center."
Dundee Drive, Los Angeles, California
"Up into the hills, to the winding narrow Dundee Drive, the van laboring uphill."
Seven Palms, Indio, California, United States
"How old was she? The fine freckled skin she had glimpsed at Seven Palms was covered now with heavy foundation."
Indio, California
"Who had taken her from the hospital in Indio? Who would ever tell Dr. Don?"
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
"I took Sunset up to Vermont and drove into Los Feliz. Dundee Drive. The black gate."
Dundee Drive, Los Angeles, California
"Los Feliz. Dundee Drive. The black gate."
Santa Ana, California
"I drove down the Golden State Freeway to Santa Ana. I went to Samana Som’s doughnut shop."
Oklahoma, United States
"Rookie quit the job and went to live with his mom in Oklahoma."
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
"this weekend there was an altercation at a liquor store in Hollywood. Some old lady assaulted a lowlife named Arturo Hernandez."
Tustin, California
"James Malcom, thirty-seven, Tustin, going 127 miles per hour in his Lexus on the 5 up from San Juan Capistrano."
San Juan Capistrano, California
"on the 5 up from San Juan Capistrano."
Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California
"I could go to Boyle Heights and get takeout birria for my father."
Forest Lawn, Glendale, California
"I went to Merry’s and Tenerife’s graves at Forest Lawn, where all the movie stars and regular people were beside each other in the ground."
John F. Kennedy Hospital, Indio, California
"Bunny and the doctor went into John F. Kennedy Hospital, in Indio."
Pioneertown, California
"We passed Pioneertown, the old fake Western movie set."
Morongo Valley, California
"heading up through the Morongo Valley."
Palm Springs, California
"She had to be headed to Palm Springs."
Glendale Freeway, Los Angeles, California
"We took the Glendale Freeway toward the Pasadena Freeway."
Pasadena Freeway, Los Angeles, California
"We took the Glendale Freeway toward the Pasadena Freeway, so they were headed east now."
Arcadia, California
"the Eldorado sped through Pasadena, Arcadia, and then got onto the 210."
Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, California
"behind us, at Chavez Ravine."
Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California
"we wound down through the Hollywood Hills."
Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, California
"then Mulholland Drive, then Barham, and we wound down through the Hollywood Hills."
Barham, Los Angeles, California
"then Mulholland Drive, then Barham, and we wound down through the Hollywood Hills."
Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, California
"we came out of the hills and turned right onto Forest Lawn Drive. We passed the huge cemetery."
Orange, California
"in the City of Orange, and I drove down there in the truck."
San Bernardino Mountains, California
"got onto the 210 heading along the San Bernardino Mountains."
Hawaii, United States
"then past Hawaii, where the water turned into South China Sea, and then Bay of Thailand, where the waves washed up onto the shores of Cambodia."
Bay of Thailand, Southeast Asia
"and then Bay of Thailand, where the waves washed up onto the shores of Cambodia."
Cambodia, Southeast Asia
"where the waves washed up onto the shores of Cambodia."
JFK Hospital, Indio, California
"I retraced my way back to JFK Hospital in Indio, where I didn’t want my license plates on a security camera, so I drove back behind the physical plant area and lifted the tarp and grabbed Arturo fast by the ropes at his chest..."
Calipatria, California
"I drove through Calipatria, where my father had come to pick cotton one summer..."
Calexico, California
"I got to Calexico. The border. Calexico and Mexicali. Where my people had crossed hundreds of years ago."
Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
"Calexico and Mexicali. Where my people had crossed hundreds of years ago."
The Getty, Los Angeles, California
"I met Morris Goldman at the Getty."
Los Angeles, California
"Morris sold fur coats in LA, San Francisco, and Vegas."
San Francisco, California
"Morris sold fur coats in LA, San Francisco, and Vegas."
Las Vegas, Nevada
"Morris sold fur coats in LA, San Francisco, and Vegas."
Thermal, California
"I drove south, past Mecca and Thermal and Oasis, the sandy earth covered with creosote bushes and smoke trees..."
Oasis, California
"I drove south, past Mecca and Thermal and Oasis, the sandy earth covered with creosote bushes and smoke trees..."
Grapefruit Boulevard, Indio, California
"I drove onto the old Grapefruit Boulevard. My dad and Manny’s brought us to the Indio Date Festival when we were little."
Placentia, California
"I remembered my mother had stood in the cold of the citrus packing house in Placentia."
Coachella, California
"in a truck accident coming down here to Coachella to work."
La Habra, California
"Melt Olson and his brother Bum were in the garage, in La Habra, sitting in lawn chairs with the door open."
Anaheim, California
"Anaheim. 1972. One a those old motels on Katella, near Disneyland."
Katella Avenue, Anaheim, California
"One a those old motels on Katella, near Disneyland."
Disneyland, Anaheim, California
"One a those old motels on Katella, near Disneyland."
Salton Sea, California
"The Salton Sea glittered blue beside me."
San Bernardino, California
"I had to play a lotta baseball games in San Bernardino. There wasn’t any Little League, so me and the other parents got teams together and played with our kids."
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
"I drove south, past Mecca and Thermal and Oasis, the sandy earth covered with creosote bushes and smoke trees..."
South China Sea, China
"where the water turned into South China Sea, and then Bay of Thailand, where the waves washed up onto the shores of Cambodia."
Joshua Tree, California, United States
"swerved off onto the 62, toward Joshua Tree."
Interstate 10, Los Angeles, California, United States
"MECCA INTERSTATE 10 AND LAND BEFORE ROADS"
Seven Palms, Indio, California, United States
"Seven Palms: A Desert Spa Experience."
Vermont Avenue, Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California, United States
"I took Sunset up to Vermont and drove into Los Feliz."
All-American Canal, Imperial County, California, United States
"There was the All-American Canal, a wide and swift river that made a boundary to the east."
Oceanside, California
"James and I went to Oceanside, walked on the beach, drank Modelo Negras, and when I picked up the boys the next day, Joachim sniffed my arm and said, “You had beer!”"
Rio Seco, California
"I didn’t want him to see my tiny two‐bedroom house in Rio Seco, full of boy socks and boy homework, my ancient couch, and even worse, my old bed and comforter."
Pala, California
"Then I drove seventy‐two miles home, which took over two hours, and packed my suitcase and drove forty‐two miles to get here, to Pala."
Desert Hot Springs, California
"There was a long low incline past Desert Hot Springs on the way to Indio, and it was 7:20 a.m. and already ninety‐four degrees outside."
Indio, California
"We made it to Indio, on the 10 freeway."
Monroe Street, Indio, California
"I exited on Monroe Street in Indio."
Grapefruit Boulevard, Indio, California
"I turned onto the old two‐lane highway, Grapefruit Boulevard, heading south."
Clinton Street, Indio, California
"My uncle said, “RC tell me he seen Clinton Street. Name for Bill Clinton. Little dirt road by them polo field.”"
Polk, Indio, California
"We left the boulevard and headed east on Polk toward the Mecca Hills, where the wide irrigation canal went south, all the way to the border with Mexico."
Palm Desert, California
"As we passed Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, the Cherokee was shuddering like a little kid who’s been crying and can’t stop."
Rancho Mirage, California
"As we passed Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, the Cherokee was shuddering like a little kid who’s been crying and can’t stop."
Calexico, California
"RC Burns had helped my uncle get to California, had fixed my uncle’s truck back in 1945, when it broke down near Calexico."
Calipatria, California
"“Cut cane. They laugh at us, cause our finger bleed. Oui, them cotton hurt down in Calipatria.”"
Coachella Valley, California
"It was like being in a small metal hell surrounded by a larger golden hell. The Coachella Valley in August."
Torres Martinez Reservation, California
"We passed a sign that said TORRES MARTINEZ RESERVATION—TRIBAL LAND, and I turned down the long dirt road that led to Sofelia’s allotment."
Morongo Reservation, California
"One married a man from Morongo Reservation and had six children."
Soboba, California
"One married a man from Soboba and had four children."
Barona, California
"One married a man from Barona and had four children."
São Paulo, Brazil
"Churrasco. Brazilian barbecue. It’s traditional in São Paulo."
Los Angeles, California
"There was someone in LA she never wanted to see."
Louisiana, United States
"Too hard to explain Louisiana, the plantation of my grandmother, the pile of sugar cane saved through winter for next year’s planting."
Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
"He showed it to Jesús, who made a tree of his family—all from Morelia, Michoacán, except for Jesús and his two brothers."
Oslo, Norway
"Plywood painted white, black letters shaped elegant and clean. SOVEREIGN NATION TRIBAL LAND PRIVATE—NO TRESPASSING NO ICE For a minute, I thought the sign was for the zombies from the Coachella music festival, showing up high on LSD, dizzy and dehydrated. I thought it meant, hey, don’t be coming here asking for ice because when you bought your tickets online in Oslo or Boston or London you didn’t know how hot the real Coachella gets."
Santa Clarita, California, United States
"So you’re Santa Clarita. If you’re thirty‐five, which you look thirty‐five, you went to Hart High. If you played football, my brother’s team beat your ass in the CIF quarterfinals. We went to Linda Vista. We beat you 50–14."
Linda Vista, San Diego, California, United States
"…If you played football, my brother’s team beat your ass in the CIF quarterfinals. We went to Linda Vista. We beat you 50–14."
Flower District, Los Angeles, California, United States
"On February 10, he sent Dawna and me to the Flower District in LA, hoping there were flowers left."
Ireland, Europe
"Chad McDonnell. Were you born in Ireland? “What?” “Where the hell were you born?”"
London, England
"Plywood painted white, black letters shaped elegant and clean. SOVEREIGN NATION TRIBAL LAND PRIVATE—NO TRESPASSING NO ICE For a minute, I thought the sign was for the zombies from the Coachella music festival, showing up high on LSD, dizzy and dehydrated. I thought it meant, hey, don’t be coming here asking for ice because when you bought your tickets online in Oslo or Boston or London you didn’t know how hot the real Coachella gets."
Mexico City, Mexico
"…headed east on Polk toward the Mecca Hills, where the wide irrigation canal went south, all the way to the border with Mexico."
Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
"Downtown LA was crazy, nowhere to park, vans everywhere. Valentine’s Day."
Brazil, South America
"I would eat this meat tomorrow. When I’m not pissed off at Brazil."
Venice, Italy
"In the car on the way to Venice last night, Joachim had said, 'Are you and Dad divorced?"
Venice, Italy
"Yesterday afternoon, driving down the freeway toward Pala, I hadn’t told anyone where I was going. Not Dawna. Not Reynaldo, who had the boys in Venice with him, for three days."
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
"My uncle Enrique’s voice said, “We go out to Mecca, there. You can drive. Sofelia need us work today.”"
San Bernardino, California
"Are you serious? I was born in San Bernardino. St. Bernardine’s Hospital. Is that American enough for you?"
Mecca Hills, California, United States
"We left the boulevard and headed east on Polk toward the Mecca Hills, where the wide irrigation canal went south, all the way to the border with Mexico."
San Luis Rey, California
"“Remember how much shit you talked when I first saw you? At San Luis Rey? You were standing by that wall in the sun. Damn. You were so fine.”"
Mecca Hills, California, United States
"We went east toward the Mecca Hills. Lincoln Street. The vineyards spread out in green-gold rows for miles."
Lincoln Street, Mecca, California, United States
"We went east toward the Mecca Hills. Lincoln Street. The vineyards spread out in green-gold rows for miles."
Joshua Tree, California, United States
"The Irish triplets have an Instagram. They shoot in Joshua Tree and Coachella."
Los Angeles, California
"“My sons are waiting for me to pick them up in LA. It’s gonna take me four damn hours to get there, and they’re gonna be scared if I’m late.”"
Rio Seco, California
"“About three hours to get back home to Rio Seco with them.”"
Pala, California
"“That’s who I went to see,” I said. “At Pala. He’s coming down here tonight.”"
Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California
"“FANTASY SPRINGS 29 CASINO.”"
Apple Market on Harrison and 66th Avenue, Indio, California
"“The parking lot at Apple Market on Harrison and 66th Avenue was like a little town. People were everywhere, talking at the gas pumps …”"
Polk Avenue, Indio, California
"“I drove back down Harrison toward Polk.”"
Coachella Valley, California
"“…looking down at the lake below that filled the whole Coachella Valley.”"
Santa Rosa Range, California
"“Look west,” she said… “At the base of the mountains. We could see the Santa Rosa Range, where bighorn sheep still lived.”"
Salton Sea, California
"“Glimpse of blue Salton Sea to the south when we stood atop the cistern.”"
San Luis Rey, California
"“I told her a little bit about James, and how we met at San Luis Rey.”"
San Bernardino, California
"“RC … said, ‘Y’all ain’t smashin my vans. … I bought them in San Bernardino.’”"
New Orleans, Louisiana
"“He said, ‘... Come to New Orleans in 1799. I did my AncestryDNA, man. You should do yours.’”"
California, United States
"“…Mexico and California was all the same land till somebody made up a border.”"
Brazil, South America
"“I hate Portuguese and Dad says I have to learn ten words a day so we can go to Brazil.”"
San Francisco, California
"“I never been to San Francisco, never been to Santa Barbara.”"
Santa Barbara, California
"“I never been to San Francisco, never been to Santa Barbara.”"
Torres Martinez, California
"“What the hell is going on? This is Torres Martinez land!”"
JFK Hospital, Indio, California
"“I was born in JFK Hospital in Indio.”"
UCLA, Los Angeles, California
"“I have my … UCLA student ID. I was born in JFK Hospital in Indio. I’m pre‐law at UCLA so you better have warrants signed by a judge.”"
Pechanga, California
"“We’ll all file suit. Pala, Pechanga, Agua Caliente, Cabazon, Morongo. We have hundreds of lawyers.”"
Agua Caliente, California
"“We’ll all file suit. Pala, Pechanga, Agua Caliente, Cabazon, Morongo. We have hundreds of lawyers.”"
Cabazon, California
"“We’ll all file suit. Pala, Pechanga, Agua Caliente, Cabazon, Morongo. We have hundreds of lawyers.”"
Morongo, California
"“We’ll all file suit. Pala, Pechanga, Agua Caliente, Cabazon, Morongo. We have hundreds of lawyers.”"
Michael Street, Riverside, California
"John Sims in the kinship of the driveway on Michael Street;"
California, United States
"I’m also lucky to have a true Californian editor extraordinaire in Jackson Howard, and an advocate in Emily Bell, all Golden State, who found Mecca a home."
Eastside, Riverside, California
"Lucky for my communities of Eastside, Westside, Northside, Highgrove and Wood Streets;"
Northside, Riverside, California
"Lucky for my communities of Eastside, Westside, Northside, Highgrove and Wood Streets;"
Highgrove Street, Riverside, California
"Lucky for my communities of Eastside, Westside, Northside, Highgrove and Wood Streets;"
Wood Street, Riverside, California
"Lucky for my communities of Eastside, Westside, Northside, Highgrove and Wood Streets;"
University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
"for my longtime home at the University of California, Riverside;"
Riverside Public Library, Riverside, California
"for all the librarians at UCR and the Riverside Public Library;"
First United Methodist Church, Riverside, California
"for the First United Methodist Church;"
Elks Lodge #643, Riverside, California
"for Elks Lodge #643 for dancing and darts and stories;"
American Legion Post 79, Riverside, California
"for American Legion Post 79 for the car shows;"
American Legion Post 289, Riverside, California
"for American Legion Post 289 for the bands;"
Fraternal Order of Eagles San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California
"for the Fraternal Order of Eagles San Bernardino for old-school."
Riverside, California
"She was born and continues to live with her family in Riverside, California, where she is Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside."
Westside, Los Angeles, California
"Lucky for my communities of Eastside, Westside, Northside, Highgrove and Wood Streets;"
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
"“Mecca to Venice at seven p.m. on a Friday in August? About four hours on the 10 if I was lucky.”"
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
"I'm in Mecca. Remember I told you I had family here? My uncle needed me to drive him."
Palm Springs, California
"Her husband Gilbert worked security at the Agua Caliente casino in Palm Springs."
Santa Ana River, California
"I’m grateful for the Santa Ana River at the end of my street, whose waters help me remember every evening those we’ve lost, and all who are still here in the tumbleweeds and cottonwoods."
Coachella, California
"The Irish triplets have an Instagram. They shoot in Joshua Tree and Coachella."
Pala, California
"I can try to come back to Pala tonight."
University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
"where she is Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside."
Fuego Canyon, California
"PART I Fuego Canyon Bee Canyon Chispa Coachella Anza Crossing San Luis Rey Angel Wings"
Bee Canyon, California
"PART I Fuego Canyon Bee Canyon Chispa Coachella Anza Crossing San Luis Rey Angel Wings"
Coachella, California
"PART I Fuego Canyon Bee Canyon Chispa Coachella Anza Crossing San Luis Rey Angel Wings"
Anza Crossing, California
"PART I Fuego Canyon Bee Canyon Chispa Coachella Anza Crossing San Luis Rey Angel Wings"
San Luis Rey, California
"PART I Fuego Canyon Bee Canyon Chispa Coachella Anza Crossing San Luis Rey Angel Wings"
Eldorado, California
"PART II Ribs, Muscle, Bone The Lyrids, the Eta Aquariids, the Perseids Todos Mrs. Bunny Eldorado"
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
"PART III Mecca Acknowledgments Also by Susan Straight A Note About the Author"
120 Broadway, New York
"Copyright Farrar, Straus and Giroux 120 Broadway, New York 10271"
New York, New York
"Every Friday at nine a.m., Mrs. Bunny called a woman named Anne-Marie, the phone on speaker, propped against the mirror. She would say, “Anne-Marie, it’s lunchtime in New York.”"
Los Angeles, California
"The way they said the words here, in Los Angeles. Mom. Mommy."
Boston, Massachusetts
"Plywood painted white, black letters shaped elegant and clean. SOVEREIGN NATION TRIBAL LAND PRIVATE—NO TRESPASSING NO ICE For a minute, I thought the sign was for the zombies from the Coachella music festival, showing up high on LSD, dizzy and dehydrated. I thought it meant, hey, don’t be coming here asking for ice because when you bought your tickets online in Oslo or Boston or London you didn’t know how hot the real Coachella gets."
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
"Angel said the address out loud, and Mrs. Bunny said, “Hollywood? Sunset Boulevard? Shit.”"
Disneyland, Anaheim, California
"My fifth‐grade teacher—Mrs. Morita—was Japanese American. Her parents were born in Anaheim, right near where Disneyland is."
Mexico City, Mexico
"Jesús reads my tag, his voice soft. ‘Are you from Mexico?’"
Mexico City, Mexico
"“…Cahuilla lived everywhere. Mexico and California was all the same land till somebody made up a border.”"
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
"‘My mom was born in Tijuana. She told me I could wave at the border today.’"
Albany, New York
"For my family of hundreds from Rubidoux to San Bernardino, Riverside to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Albany, Ontario to Echo Park, Anaheim to Los Feliz, Corona to Calexico."
East L.A., Los Angeles, California, United States
"Luis ran a boxing gym in East LA after that, and he taught me how to fight."
Pacific Ocean, Earth
"She’d marked the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of southern California, then past Hawaii, where the water turned into South China Sea, and then Bay of Thailand, where the waves washed up onto the shores of Cambodia."
Venice, Italy
"Every day feels like Halloween here, with the performance aspect of people on the beach in Venice."
Venice, Italy
"“Mecca to Venice at seven p.m. on a Friday in August? About four hours on the 10 if I was lucky. About three hours to get back home … We could heat up the bowls with water at a gas station. In fucking Venice.”"
Bee Canyon, California
"We were between Bee Canyon and Fuego Canyon. My father, always vigilant, would already see the smoke and flames."
Studio City, Los Angeles
"Ask her why she doesn’t have to move outta Los Feliz or Studio City or wherever she lives."
Cajon Pass, San Bernardino, California
"… along the 215 freeway, where it then headed up the Cajon Pass and went through the San Bernardino Mountains to Barstow, and on to Las Vegas."