He looks like he belongs on Cape Cod rather than sitting across from me and Hop at Lola’s Coffee Shop. I wonder what dirt Jada has on him to get him to meet up with me. He takes a sip of his green smoothie. “So, you and Jada must be pretty tight.” I shrug. Hop begins folding his napkin into a million little creases. Hollingsworth leans forward. “She called in a favor. She doesn’t do that.” I make a mental note to bust my ass extra for her the rest of the summer. I say, “Jada’s a cool gal.” “Let’s get to it.” He leans in, resting his arms on his legs. “What’s the situation with your friend?” I say, “Hien came over from Vietnam when he was ten, and he’s been living in San Diego ever since.” Warren says, “Why did his parents come here illegally? Why didn’t they go through the proper channels?” He looks at Hop for an answer. So do I … that hasn’t been a burning question for me. Hop stares at his sliver of napkin. “Religious persecution.” I blink, unsure of how to process that information.
