Summary

Chapter 9. Antonio hears his brothers arguing with his parents about their plans to leave and head west. His father is angry that they are neglecting his dream of moving to California and his mother cries that they are forsaking her. After the heated debate, Leon and Eugene decide to leave but Andrew chooses to stay home. Andrew takes a job at the local grocery store and starts walking to town with Antonio every day. The two discuss life and Andrew tells Antonio that he understands what it is like to have so many expectations on his life but that he will have to make his own choices in the end.

School lets out for the summer and Antonio learns that he will be passed to the third grade instead of second grade. This pleases his mother and Ultima. Antonio spends his summer afternoons helping Ultima...