Summary

Lucia was glad to receive Bennedith’s last letter, but found it “distressing . . . to hear that the warden is making advances” (211). She suggests coming to the prison and talking to him. Lucia has problems, too. Spending most of her time alone, she feels herself “fading away” (212). Miss Pink and Mister Blue occasionally visit “to discuss a forthcoming episode” (212). The conversations please her because Carnality is her child (212).

After Alfonso’s death, Macaria stopped “being a butcher” and established “a small restaurant kitchen” (212). Although Macaria was happier, Lucia knew the past was haunting the present. One afternoon, a well-dressed man named Sergio Alameda visited the restaurant. Macaria was eager to accommodate him, believing he was a food critic. Sergio demanded to see Lucia while Macaria prepared his food. When Lucia sat with Sergio, he grabbed her hand and severed her thumb (219). Macaria heard...