Summary

In the opening of Butterflies, Calderón is waiting with Gorriti outside of the school for their children. He tells Gorriti that his daughter is wearing “such a pretty dress today,” especially because its brown color matches her eyes (25). Calderón asks Gorriti how his son is doing and he motions to his teeth. Calderón explains that he cannot do the tooth fairy with his daughter because she is too smart.

While the two men are waiting for their kids, a brownish butterfly lands on Calderón’s arm and he traps it in his fingers. He squeezes its wings as he tells Gorriti that he has to see his “adorable” daughter (26). Calderón realizes that he was pinching the butterfly too hard so that now one of its wings split. Calderón is sorry and picks up the butterfly to assess the...