El Paso

"The Musical Vanity Boxes" takes place in El Paso in 1943. This is where Lucha and Hope live with their families. Their youthful life is defined by their adventures around town, and their games with the neighborhood boys. Meanwhile, the town is filled with soldiers, and the community is constantly talking about war. One night after the girls discover that Sammy and Jake have deceived them, they spend the entire evening in a local hotel, conversing with the drunk patrons. When Hope returns home, her father beats her. When Lucha returns home, her grandmother gives her hot cocoa, and reads her Bible verses.

The Louvre

The Louvre is one of the primary settings in "Lost in the Louvre." After spending several days exploring Paris, the narrator finally visits the Louvre. She is delighted that the interior of the museum is as beautiful as its exterior. She begins visiting...