Picture Us in the Light

Danny’s injured mother regains consciousness on the sidewalk. She declines medical treatment despite a newly arrived paramedic believing she has cracked ribs. The policeman at the scene writes a report that he gives to Danny’s father for insurance purposes. The family takes an expensive taxi back to San Jose because their car was destroyed. On the drive, Danny notes his mother’s physical suffering and his father’s worry. He realizes the enormity of what he’s done and all that he’s misunderstood. Danny’s father tells him a brief, somewhat redacted version of their past. He confirms that he and Danny’s mother had their green cards revoked after they were charged with a crime, so they changed their names and are now living in the country illegally. He doesn’t detail the crime itself, simply saying that Clay Ballard had stolen from him and he made a mistake in trying to get it back. Danny’s father assures him that everything will work out as Danny got into RISD and his future is secure.

Danny helps take care of his mother, but he feels so guilty that she got hurt because of him that he can’t talk to her. He ignores his phone, and an angry and drunk

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