Back at the old home a half an hour later, a passel of girls stood on the curb saying goodbye to the three of them. While Yadira, Stacie and Tiffany had tried to get rid of the toads, their friends had managed to plaster and paint the wall in the house so that it was really quite obvious that someone had stuck pitons in the adobe. The three girls were very happy with the effect of their friends’ work and they were certain it would pass muster with Mr. Holmes, the fool, who was so kindly disposed to them in other fiascos and had, after all, agreed to let them have the graduation party with the jumping castle. One of the more obliging girls had even filled the holes in the gravel lawn.
Tiffany was the first to approach her car to leave. It was jammed with her stuff. The trunk had been left empty for Robert’s things.
“Getting rid of those toads was so strange,” said Stacie. “I can’t believe all that happened with Mr. Biggs and the guy with the gun and the weird kid downtown.”
“And then that horrible lady in the shrine,” added Tiffany.
“Oh, she was really bent. At least—I think she was,” said Yadira.
“I know what you mean. I was so wasted through the whole thing. I hope those people are gone from the arroyo. I’m not going driving out that way. I hope we did the right thing for the toads. They’ll be happy in the river bed, won’t they?” asked Tiffany.
“I think some of them got away,” said Stacie. “At least I hope so.”
Stacie and Yadira hugged Tiffany. She got in her car, crying.
“On my way!” cried Tiffany with tears streaming down her face. “Robert’s gonna love Santa Rosita.”
“What about you?” asked Yadira. With all the toad problems they hadn’t discussed what was happening to Tiffany.
“I’m gonna love it, too,” she said without much enthusiasm.
“I hope so,” said Stacie, hugging her friend through the window.
“Sure,” said Yadira. “Sure you are.”
Tiffany started her car and backed it.
“I love you all,” she screamed. “I'll never forget the desert and you bitches! This was the best time in my life and I know it, you know!”
“Love you!” they yelled back.
Yadira was next to leave as she was driving to Chicago and needed an early start. She had the back of her car filled with boxes and suitcases. On top of the pile, a laundry basket was turned over like a crude birdcage. She was taking a friend as far as Kansas, so someone would ride with her and keep her company.
“Yadira, take care,” said Stacie, hugging her friend for the last time.
“You’ve got a place in Chicago,” said Yadira.
“Sure, I know,” said Stacie. “Your old bedroom with your little sister.”
Stacie and Yadira broke down crying in the street. Dawn was just beginning over the eastern range. For now the desert floor was cool, but that wouldn’t last more than two hours.
A sniffling Yadira got in with her friend. She started the car and backed it slowly. She took a last look at the old bungalow then drove out toward the freeway. Inside the car, they discussed where to stop for coffee.
Stacie had decided to stay with Mona until her Jeep could be repaired. Then she wanted to head to New York. She wasn’t telling anyone about Walt. She would have to figure out where he lived.
Stacie closed the door firmly and used the key to lock it. She put the key in the porch mailbox as Mr. Holmes had requested.
When she banged the lid of the mailbox closed, all the plaster dropped from the three holes inside the house.
“What’s wrong?” asked Mona, seeing Stacie frown.
“I thought I heard something inside,” said Stacie. “Maybe I should check?”
“No, don’t bother. It was probably Mr. Biggs jumping around the side yard,” one of the wall crew reasoned.
“He’s like the noisiest cat ever,” Stacie said.
“We did a pretty damn good job,” Itzel claimed.
“We? You slept through it, girl,” said Maribel to Itzel as they stumbled down the dirt driveway together heading for Itzel’s car.
“Screw you, I didn’t,” said Itzel, boldly walking to her car. “And you better hope I offer your silly ass a ride,” she added.