Summary

Chapter 8, “Galan! Galan! Galan!” As a new school term begins, Chula notices a smell of blood about her, but cannot find where it might be coming from. Meanwhile, Mama excitedly packs her and Cassandra up into her car, taking them to a political rally for anti-cartel politician Galan. On the way, they drop Petrona off at a bus station. At the rally, the crowds are so large and so excited that for a while Chula becomes separated from her family, but they are all quickly reunited. When gunshots are heard, the crowd panics, and Chula’s arm is trampled. Mama manages to get her and Cassandra into the car and back home, where Petrona meets them and, when she sees Chula’s pain, takes charge, telling Mama to get Chula to the hospital. There, Chula is treated for a sprained arm, and the...