Summary

In “At a Loss,” Francisco recalled Thanksgivings of his childhood. He and his family were picking cotton at that time of year, and they did not stop of Thanksgiving Day. The positive memory he had was that he was usually back in school. Though he had missed weeks by that time and struggled to catch up, he was glad to be back. In college, the holiday approached. Francisco and some other students were talking to the professor, Father Fagothey, about Plato's work titled The Republic. Smokey told Francisco that President John Kennedy had been shot. Francisco arrived at his next class to find the professor alone and class canceled.

In his dorm room, Francisco and Smokey listened to the news and Francisco prayed. His mother had supported Kennedy, believing that he would help the poor. Then...