How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
Next came a thud against my ribs as he sunk his knee into me, and a glancing heel burn on my neck from Eddie. The circle shrank in around me. From the corner of my eye, moist and dripping, I saw Gody, Rita and Patty inch closer. Frankie stayed back. Suddenly, I felt a foot press down on my hand. It sprung alive with needles, and jerking my chin sideways, I saw Rita, her mouth scrunched tight, grinding her heel into my hand. (10.41)
Manny wants to join Mondo's gang, and this is the Test of Courage to see if the newbie is worthy of being initiated. By this point in the book, we've seen Manny get beatings from tons of different folks, but this is the first time we've seen a larger group of people really going to town on our main man. Mondo and Eddie are the main ones beating up on Manny, but the spectators even take part (just check out Rita's heel-grinding trick). Ugh.