Chapter 7 and 8 Summary

When Carlos tells Benn that he made a sign and marched with the mothers, Benn is upset with him. Why call attention to yourself, he asks. Carlos responds that in order for the mothers to understand that he was serious, he had to be strong in the face of the enemy as they were. Otherwise, no one would take him seriously.

He plans to have people come to his house that Thursday evening to listen to their stories and help them find their loved ones. Almost immediately on that Thursday, people begin to show up. Carlos greets everyone in his garden, which was designed and cared for lovingly by Cecilia. Her presence is strongly felt in this place and it is certain that Carlos has planned for it to be this way. At first, the mothers and sisters are hesitant, but...