It was hot that summer. Everyone's front lawns had turned brown by June. People had quit going outside except at night. Only the
basement of Oscar's parents' house, with its air-conditioning unit, offered relief during the long afternoons. Usually, the gang, including Martinez, Oscar, Manny, and Jose, would arrive early, already sweating through their T-shirts. They would bring board games, magazines, records—anything to pass the time. That morning, however, Martinez showed up with something unexpected. He had a letter from Michigan State. "I've been awarded a scholarship," Martinez announced proudly to his friends. "I'm starting in the fall." The guys congratulated him and passed around the letter, shaking their heads with disbelief as they read it. They talked excitedly about their college plans in the fall. They scarcely took notice when Oscar stood up and left the room. It was only later, when Martinez started complaining about the cost of buying textbooks for his college classes, that Oscar returned. He was scowling. "I can't believe you're complaining," he said to Martinez. "Don't you realize how privileged you are? Not everyone gets to go to college, you know." Martinez frowned. "What's the matter with you?" he asked. "You've been in a bad mood all day. I mean, you didn't even congratulate me for getting a scholarship." Oscar looked away, avoiding Martinez's stare. "I've got a lot on my mind," Oscar said. "But that's a story for another time." The guys were puzzled. Oscar could be moody, but this seemed different somehow. "C'mon, guys," Jose said. "We've got one last summer together. We might as well try and get along." The four of them agreed that it was best to change the subject. And so the rest of that summer night continued much like any other. They listened to the latest Bob Dylan album and played poker for nickels. They told jokes and talked about girls. It was only later, while Jose and Martinez were walking home together, that they revisited the topic of Oscar's irritable behavior. "His draft number came up yesterday," Jose explained. "He says he's not ready to talk about it yet. But he'll probably be fighting in Vietnam next fall while we're in school." Martinez was shocked. He knew that college students could be deferred, or temporarily excluded, from the draft. But he'd forgotten that Oscar, who couldn't afford college tuition, might be drafted. As a result, one of his best friends, a kid he'd known since the second grade, would be fighting halfway across the world. It was hot as ever outside, but Martinez's fear in that moment sent a shiver straight up his spine. Instinctively, he reached into his pocket for the letter from Michigan State. He owed his life to that letter, he realized. It was his lucky lottery ticket. 1 How is the relationship between Martinez and Oscar affected by the historical context of the story? A. Oscar is grateful that Martinez can afford the cost of textbooks. B. Martinez is upset that Oscar does not value higher education. C. Oscar is jealous because Martinez will be protected from the draft. D. Martinez is afraid that Oscar will take his scholarship for granted.
