Summary

In Chapter 16, moments after being spurned by Carmen, Arturo wanders around outside and hears Pipo begin making a speech to the crowd at the block party. Arturo runs into the crowd and begins to protest, getting into a shouting match with Pipo about the importance of family. Arturo is roughly carried away by Pipo’s private security guards.

In Chapter 17, Aunt Tuti comes to retrieve Arturo from the trailer office, as previously described in the brief introductory chapter “Note To Self.” As they return home, she tells him that Abuela has had to be checked in to the hospital. Distraught and alone in his bedroom, Arturo sifts through his box of letters and finds a CD. As he plays it, a song featuring lyrics by Martí begins to play. Cari comes into the room and tells Arturo that Abuela has passed away. Arturo...