Chapter 5 Summary

Full of oranges, which is a steady diet for him, Arturo watches Camilla from a dark doorway on a hot night until a policeman approaches.

Sand covers everything, blowing from the Mojave through Los Angeles. The next morning after a walk, he finally breaks down and weeps with grief, which purges him. Arturo writes an honest letter to his mother asking her for money.

Hellfrick enters Arturo's room and pays back the fifteen cents he owes him, telling him he is an honest man. Arturo uses the money for cookies and with the nickel he has left makes plans to go back to the Columbia Buffet.

Arturo describes a blissful sense of joy while at the restaurant, watching Camilla and now yearning for her ragged huaraches. She apologizes for the bad coffee and the two engage in an exchange of personal criticisms. Camilla...