Two girls named Rachel and Lucy ask Cathy and Esperanza for five dollars so that they can buy a bike from some kid named Tito. Cathy tells Esperanza not to talk to such people; yet, Esperanza goes inside to find the money.
She has three dollars and takes two from Nenny. When she returns, Cathy is gone, and Esperanza is free to make these two new friends. Rachel is Lucy's little sister, and speaking in broken English, they claim to come from Texas. Together, they ride their new bike up and down Mango Street making comments at the local storeowners, feeling like sassy, outgoing, strong girls.
