Oscar Zeta Acosta - Hand Quotes

2 Sourced Quotes

View all Oscar Zeta Acosta Quotes

He reached his hand toward me. You don't mind my asking, do you? Of course not, I say calmly as I reverse the lit end of the cigarette so that the flame is cupped in the palm. I reach for his handshake. He screams like a woman in distress with her skirt held high. I puff my meanness as he licks at the burn and whimpers, You sonofagun. You've burned the dickens out of my hand. I know. But why? I didn't do anything. I don't even know you. I guess it's my Samoan blood. Sal rushes to my defense. He points his finger at the fag. Out! But I didn't do anything. Out, out! he shouts, his hands stiffly on the bar. The old fag picks himself up and begins to drag himself out.

Oscar Zeta Acosta

That same night I went into the chicken coop, took my hooked knife which I used to pit peaches with, and carved her initials on the back side of my left hand … JA. Jane Addison. My first true love. The original Miss It. I was in such a fog that I forgot to cover it with a glove or something. At supper, right in front of my mother, my brother Bob said in a loud voice, What's that on your hand? I pretended not to hear. I quickly switched my fork to my right hand and put my left hand under the table. Hey, mom. Oscar cut himself, the bastard said. What? she cried out. She couldn't stand violence unless it was part of some beating to teach me respect.

Oscar Zeta Acosta