Summary

Julia hits a dead end in her search for information about Olga and decides to go to her sister’s community college. The school administrator seems surprised when Julia asserts that Olga attended the school for five years, but refuses to release more information. Julia rails against the woman’s obstinacy: “I mean, are you such a miserable sack of crap that you lack any kind of compassion? I guess I’d be upset, too, if I had a face like yours” (137). She leaves, frustrated.

Julia learns that the money from her quinceañera will come from Olga’s life insurance and bank savings. She is angry that her parents are not investing the money in her education or in a clean, safe apartment. Nevertheless, Amá does enlist Julia to help with the party favors, which feature a white and...