Summary

In “Mary Carminum,” the narrator’s date told him they “were going to see a rock band” (133). He “put on a leather jacket” and a band t-shirt, hoping to fit in (133). On the way to the date’s house, he called his friend Flaco. He and Flaco often double-dated. Although their dates had both said they were “going to see a band,” they had not told them their exact destination (133).

When the narrator picked up his date, he was surprised by what she was wearing. Her makeup, hairdo, and blue dress seemed too fancy for a rock concert. In the car, the date’s perfume overwhelmed the narrator. He hoped Flaco would be at the event when they arrived. The date told the narrator they were going to “Fatima’s neighborhood” (135). He was surprised there was “a venue or...