Memory and the Past

The author uses her unconventional narrative structure in order to incite the narrator and protagonist Cara Romero’s musings on the past. The overarching narrative form finds its inspiration from the Senior Workforce Program. In order to receive “extended unemployment benefits,” Cara must meet with a career counselor for 12 consecutive weeks (1). Although Lissette is meant to be advising Cara on job recommendations and interview skills, over the course of the novel, she becomes Cara’s pseudo-therapist. Cara uses the sessions as if Lissette is her life coach or personal mentor. Because Lissette patiently listens to Cara’s stories and anecdotes, Cara feels comfortable sharing her memories and past experiences with her.

Cara’s fraught relationships with her family members, particularly her son, sister, and mother, act as the basis for the author’s explorations concerning memory and the past. In “Session Two,” Cara...