Summary

Simonopio became Francisco Junior’s “tireless protector” in “New Stories to Tell” (258). He knew about Francisco Junior’s future presence when the Spanish flu broke out. Now, Simonopio knew that Francisco Junior “would be his responsibility” (259). Francisco Junior remembers that his speech, incoherent to others, was the result of mimicking Simonopio’s speech in “The First Drop.” This reminded his family that Simonopio could speak, and Francisco Junior soon “became his translator” (265). Simonopio’s stories excited and engaged Francisco Junior in his youth. Francisco Junior’s most treasured relationship in childhood was with Simonopio.

Espiricueta had pined for Lupita on La Amistad for four years in “Unrequited Desire.” He stalked her on La Amistad and in town. One night, when Espiricueta asked her to dance for the first time, Lupita refused him. With Espiricueta’s rejection mounting—first...