Chapter 12 Summary

This chapter is about Aunt Carmela. Aunt Carmela is a relative from Carlos' father's side, a Nieto. She lives in a huge, creepy house that Carlos hates to visit. There are, for example, two modern abstract sculptures that scare him to death. There is also a giant statue of Saint Lazarus, the patron saint of lepers.

Aunt Carmela herself is, however, the only Nieto to live her life to the fullest. She fought for causes, played hard, and took care of the needy. She also wrote. She wrote fiction and newspaper articles about her cause. Then she married an American. They have three children: Daisy, Archie, and Addison. Then she fell in love with another man who was married to another woman. Carmela became pregnant with his child. The American packs his bags and leaves. He disowns Carmela and his three children. Carmela...