Summary

“Drown” begins with Yunior’s mother announcing that Beto, an old friend of Yunior’s, is home. She’s surprised that Yunior is not interested in seeing him. Yunior remembers the homosexual experiences he and Beto shared a few years ago and is reluctant to see him.

Yunior and his mother live alone now, as his father has apparently left them. Yunior is trying to finish high school, but is constantly struggling. He knows that most of the kids in his school won’t amount to anything and even though he doesn’t want this, he does little to prevent it. He thinks he’ll “burn out” just like one of his teachers suggested.

An army recruiter cruises around the neighborhood trying to convince young men to join the services. Yunior intentionally avoids him, crossing the street to avoid the car or walking the other...