She said if you know a lot about me you can find me a job.
-- Narrator (Session One)

Importance: The novel finds its structural inspiration from Cara's enrollment in the Senior Workforce Program. In this scene from Cara's first session with her career counselor, Lissette, she speaks to her reasons for joining the program. She has been encouraged by her professor at La Escuelita to rely upon and trust her career counselor for support and guidance. This moment introduces Cara's particular manner of engaging with Lissette, and thus the ways in which she thinks, speaks, and narrates throughout the entirety of the novel. She engages with Lissette as if Lissette is her life coach or therapist. She speaks honestly and openly, sharing intimate details from her personal life in an attempt to translate her identity, and thus her needs, hopes, and desires for the future.

Did I think about my future? No.
-- Narrator (Session Two)

Importance: In telling...