Summary

Chapter 12 starts with Santiago’s point of view as he attended a weight loss class. Then Frank called Santiago to tell him about what he referred to as “Cleo’s accident” (225). Frank had checked Cleo into a psychiatric hospital, but he wanted Santiago to visit her since he had work commitments. Frank believed Cleo had made a “mistake” and told Santiago that he could “use a drink” (226). On his way to the hospital, Santiago recounted memories of Lila, his wife who had died from a heroin overdose. Upon seeing Cleo, he was surprised by how disheveled she was, and Cleo was embarrassed to see him. She did not want anyone to know about her suicide attempt. Cleo admitted that it was not an accident and that she “wanted things to change” (233). She believed that no one truly cared for her and Santiago grew angry...