The single peso coin stood still on top of the kitchen cabinet, looking at me almost innocently. I reconnoited the room; it was empty. With small steps I approached it; it seemed so big then. I carefully extended my right arm, while giving quick glances at my surroundings, and snatched it. I rushed to the stairs and descended them, only to see my dad waiting at the door, impatiently. I acted casually and grabbed my dad’s hand; hoping the sweat wouldn’t make him suspect anything. It was a beautiful spring day, we walked past the bakery store, the book store, and into the plaza Castelli. I gave my dad an imploring look, and he nodded. I ran summarily to the swings. Spring was the best time of the year to swing, it wasn’t too cold and there still was the wind rushing into my face and dress which flew as if it was alive. It was hot enough to take your shoes out and feel the soft sand caressing your feet. After the newspaper grew unappealing to my dad, he put my shoes on and once again grabbed my hand.

I still wanted to play but I knew he was right, because the sun was almost setting and we were supposed to go to el Chino, our favorite grocery store, before they closed. My dad steps were so large I spent most of the time dangling in the air, held by my dad’s strong hand against my feeble hand. Suddenly I heard that familiar sound, the intermittent alarm letting us know that the train was coming, my heart pounded and I felt the single peso in my pocket heavier than ever. When I glanced back I could see the big line of cars waiting earnestly for the train to pass. My dad came to a sudden stop as we reached the train’s waiting arm.

At this instant, time stood completely still, all I could hear was my heart pounding uncontrollably, I let go of my dad’s hand and passed beneath the bar. Immediately I heard some distant screaming but it didn’t matter now. I ran through the seemingly endless path until I reached the tracks. I could feel my right foot vibrating as it stepped on the cold metal alloy of the track. I glanced once again back and the people waiting behind the train bar gave me scared and reproachful looks, being conscious of my lack of propriety; but I couldn’t see my dad. I grabbed the coin from my pocket and placed it on the rail. The single peso coin stood still on top of the train track looking at me almost innocently. The train felt so close to me that the tracks roared despairingly as they tried to break loose. I was halfway done, now I needed to simply wait for the train to pass. As I stepped out of the track back to the bar, I felt some greater force pulling me back, I panicked, looked back and saw my dress caught on the track.I felt my heart inside my body fall to my feet, my body grew weak, my clumsy hands trembled as they tried to pull the dress. The screams grew louder. Suddenly a bright red light dazzled me completely.

When I recall the event, I never seem to remember what happened after, but my dad enjoys telling everyone about his act of bravery and how he was a hero for pulling me just before the train might have tore me to pieces, and I just nod with shame. Just recently as I looked through some items in the basement, I found next to a dusty box, lying on the floor a single peso coin all defaced by what might have been a train.