Summary

The story opens with Nicholas (Nick) in a daze as he lays in a hospital bed. Attending university in Albuquerque, Nick has been attacked by a group of xenophobic white men. He senses his family around him and the pain in their faces when he opens his eyes. Nick repeats his parents and siblings names to himself, while also thinking about the family name: Guerra; It means war and he thinks about whether or not his family consists of warriors who are capable of winning their battles. His family emigrated from Mexico, the land of battle, to America, the land of happiness. As such, he should bear his scars with silence and dignity, grateful for the opportunity for happiness. In the hospital bed, he begins to contemplate the words that people are saying around him and the loss of meaning for...