Summary

In Chapter 13, Quiara writes about her mother’s love life in the years following Virginia and Henry’s break-up. At one point, she dated a man who had children of his own. The children disliked Virginia and called her a ‘whore,’ but Virginia was unfazed. She even tuned the insults into compliments having to do with personal power. Virginia eventually began dating a Puerto Rican man named Sedo, and the relationship became functionally permanent. Sedo became like a second father to Quiara, and Quiara began referring to him as ‘Pop.’ One day, Sedo bought an upright piano for Quiara, who immediately enjoyed learning how to play it. Music became like a third language to Quiara.

In Chapter 14, Quiara recalls taking a trip to Puerto Rico with Virginia and Sedo. While there, they explored caves that bore ancient paintings made by the indigenous Taíno...