Efrén Divided

Apá tells Efrén first: Amá is detained after being discovered at the San Clemente checkpoint—the same checkpoint that was mercifully closed both ways the day before on Apá’s and Efrén’s trip to Tijuana. Apá must break the news to the twins; Efrén tries not to cry. Apá offers cake, then the comforting head scratches Amá is so good at. Max accepts and Mia allows Efrén to do the same. After the twins eventually sleep, Efrén wants to focus on the next attempt at getting Amá home: “I can start collecting water bottles and taking them to the recycling center” (229). Apá reassures Efrén that he will never give up trying but says that this time is different: “Your Amá is being detained. I don’t know what’s going to happen” (229). Efrén cries at the unfairness, and Apá holds him.

The next morning, Efrén readies the twins and takes them to school. He experiences a rush of emotion when he sees Ms. Solomon and tells her the truth. Ms. Solomon can only respond with a hug for the twins, then she adds Efrén too. On his way to school, Efrén plans to resign from the election and resolves to avoid emotional breakdowns the rest of the day, which means keeping away from David.