Summary

Chapter 20, “The Dress and the Veil.” Chula almost falls asleep at Petrona’s First Communion, which is not nearly as interesting or as frightening as her Confirmation. Afterwards, she is introduced to Petrona’s mother (Dona Lucia – Mami), and everyone makes their way back to the The Hills, Petrona assuring the nervous Mama that everyone has been asked to be respectful of her car. Once there, they climb the hill to Petrona’s home, Mama carrying a box of food and unused kitchen supplies that she is giving to Petrona’s family. They have a small and generally quiet party, upset only by the arrival of Petrona’s drugged out younger brothers, chased away by her older brothers. There is also the arrival of Tio Mauricio, Petrona’s uncle, who Petrona says is a witch and who gives Chula a small snail...