Chapter 11 Summary

Lou Ann obtains a job at Red Hot Mama's salsa factory. She stands in a production line, chopping the ingredients. It is a veritable sweatshop, both because the air conditioning is often malfunctioning and because the fumes from the red chilies cause eyes to burn and water. Lou Ann loves the job. Not only is she an enthusiastic worker at the shop, she constantly brings home samples and creates recipes to try out on Taylor, Turtle, and guests. Lou Ann had ceased her weekly hair cutting rituals and the self-deprecating remarks in front of the mirror.

The high temperatures of the season were keeping Lou Ann and Taylor awake until late in the night. They often sit at the kitchen table fanning themselves, talking, and reading the newspaper. Inevitably, various articles in the newspaper set Lou Ann off on the many dangers of...