Chapter 3, La Gorda Summary

Carlos first notices la Gorda's dark, calm, scanning eyes. She is taller than the girls, lean, graceful, and commanding, with beautiful hands that she holds over her "umbilical region." La Gorda's inner control calms Carlos as Don Juan's had. Carlos explains that he needs Pablito's and Nestor's help. He is slow about sorcerers' ways, but does not think he deserves to be treated with malice and deceit. La Gorda hurries to say what the Nagual has entrusted to her before Carlos leaves. He allows her to ride along, after she performs the goodbye gesture to the house and valley, a sign that she believes she may never return. Men make it over their hearts, women over their wombs, where they store feelings. Feeling deep kinship with la Gorda, who reads his thoughts about the hills, Carlos confesses apprehension about...