1If you give me five dollars I will be your friend forever. That's what the little one tells me.

2Five dollars is cheap since I don't have any friends except Cathy who is only my friend till Tuesday.

3Five dollars, five dollars.

4She is trying to get somebody to chip in so they can buy a bicycle from this kid named Tito. They already have ten dollars and all they need is five more.

5Only five dollars, she says.

6Don't talk to them, says Cathy. Can't you see they smell like a broom.

7But I like them. Their clothes are crooked and old. They are wearing shiny Sunday shoes without socks. It makes their bald ankles all red, but I like them. Especially the big one who laughs with all her teeth. I like her even though she lets the little one do all the talking.

8Five dollars, the little one says, only five.

9Cathy is tugging my arm and I know whatever I do next will make her mad forever.

10Wait a minute, I say, and run inside to get the five dollars. I have three dollars saved and I take two of Nenny's. She's not home, but I'm sure she'll be glad when she finds out we own a bike. When I get back, Cathy is gone like I knew she would be, but I don't care. I have two new friends and a bike too.

11My name is Lucy, the big one says. This here is Rachel my sister.

12I'm her sister, says Rachel. Who are you?

13And I wish my name was Cassandra or Alexis or Maritza—anything but Esperanza—but when I tell them my name they don't laugh.

14We come from Texas, Lucy says and grins. Her was born here, but me I'm Texas.

15You mean she, I say.

16No, I'm from Texas, and doesn't get it.

17This bike is three ways ours, says Rachel who is thinking ahead already. Mine today, Lucy's tomorrow and yours day after.

18But everybody wants to ride it today because the bike is new, so we decide to take turns after tomorrow. Today it belongs to all of us.

19I don't tell them about Nenny just yet. It's too complicated. Especially since Rachel almost put out Lucy's eye about who was going to get to ride it first. But finally we agree to ride it together. Why not?

20Because Lucy has long legs she pedals. I sit on the back seat and Rachel is skinny enough to get up on the handlebars which makes the bike all wobbly as if the wheels are spaghetti, but after a bit you get used to it.

21We 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. Laundromat, junk store, drug store, windows and cars and more cars, and around the block back to Mango.

22People on the bus wave. A very fat lady crossing the street says, You sure got quite a load there.

23Rachel shouts, You got quite a load there too. She is very sassy.

24Down, down Mango Street we go. Rachel, Lucy, me. Our new bicycle. Laughing the crooked ride back.