Rachel shouts. You got quite a load there too. She is very sassy.

We ride fast and faster. Past my house, sad and red and crumbly in places, past Mr. Benny's grocery on the corner, and down the avenue which is dangerous. Laundoromat, junk store, drugstore, windows and cars and more cars, and around the block back to Mango.

Down, down Mango Street we go. Rachel, Lucy, me. Our new bicycle. Laughing the crooked ride back.

People on the bus wave. A very fat lady crossing the street says. You sure got quite a load there.