Hey Jose, That is cool your little brother is reading East Side Dreams. Tell him that everything in the book is true. In fact, I had to cut some things down a little. Such as the drugs, when I wrote East Side Dreams I went back and took out about 30 pages of taking drugs because I did not want young people to think and feel it was cool to take drugs. Drugs are very bad for you. My brother Eddie and I used to take a lot of drugs and now that we are older we are very sick with all kinds of stuff. When I first started getting sick I asked my doctor why I was so sick so young. He asked me if I use to take drugs. I answered, "yes." Then he said that is what causes people to die young and be so sick. So remember that and tell your bother.
You asked, "How is it possible to love my father because of the way he was with us?" That is just way life is. You said you feel that you have two fathers, one when he is drinking and another when he is not. When you get older, you are going to remember the father who was not drinking. You will always love your father no matter what, you came from him and he is your flesh and blood. I remember a few years ago I went to Santa Anna to give a book talk. A man wanted to talk to me after the event was over and he waited until everyone left. When we were alone we sat down and his eyes became watery. He was about 40 years old. He said that after he left home when he was a kid he hated his father and would not speak to him. This was because the way his father treated and beat him when he was a kid. Then he said, "After reading East Side Dreams, it made me think about my father and he was still my father even though he treated me this way." So the day he was done with reading East Side Dreams, he went to his father's house to fix things. And from that day forward, he and his father are best friends! All of this because of my book, it sure made me feel good knowing that my books had changed his life and many other lives.
Yes, as you said, those are old bad memories. Everyone has those memories of growing up. Even people who had good parents have these memories. When my children were very young, I told my wife, "We have to treat these kids good, because when they grow up they are going to remember everything we did, both good and bad! I am now glad I put everything into raising my children.

Also remember this; at least you have a father around. Many, many kids wish they had fathers. They do have fathers but they do not know them at all and the fathers do not care about them. So count your blessings. We all have our lot in life. Some people were born in a third world country and cannot find food to eat for the day. Some are born in a war torn land, where they cannot believe of a life like ours here. So be happy and work hard in your education, it is so important. That way later you can do more things, you can go to more school or take a trade and make OK money. Money does not bring happiness but it sure makes life easier!

Thanks for writing again, Jose, and do good so your little brother can follow your footsteps. I am glad you learned from my books about life, makes me feel good. Thanks for letting me know. If you have any other questions just ask.
Art Rodriguez