Chapter 2 Summary

Remembering the events of the night before, Esperanza wakes to a gloomy and empty house on her birthday. When someone knocks at the door, Esperanza opens it for Senor Rodriguez, her best friend's father and a friend of her father since schooldays. He delivers some papayas that had been ordered for the fiesta today. Since he has not heard the news, she tells him about her father's death the night before. For three days, people from all over the region arrive with food and flowers, and to grieve with Esperanza's family. While she spends what time she can alone with her friend, Marisol, most often she must greet visitors with the same dignity as her mother does. Ignoring her gifts for a few days, Esperanza finally opens her birthday presents to find a porcelain doll her father had gotten for her. She immediately...