Section 11: Chapters 26 & 27 Summary

In La Vida Nueva, Chapter 26: The Lost Boys, the border patrol treats Matt like a guest, offering him a shower and food, and while he eats, Matt tells the story Tam Lin prepared about his family being taken by the Farm Patrol and asks to go to San Luis where he has a friend. The guards ask what kind of work he can do to contribute to the general good of the people, and after Matt mentions studying water purification, Raul suggests sending Matt to the plankton factory in San Luis. Matt spends the night in the guardhouse, and the next morning, Raul locks Matt into a large, grey building filled with boys doing various jobs. Chacho and Fidelito, a small boy, are also going to San Luis. Matt wanders around, watching the boys' various chores. Fidelito makes vitamin pills, and...