Summary

In “Mayuelas versus Tactic,” Claudia describes her mother’s mother, Mamatoya, and her mother’s aunt, Tía Soila. Tía Soila lives in the sleepy town of Mayuelas while Mamatoya lives in the more bustling town of Tactic. Though Claudia prefers Tía Soila to Mamatoya, she prefers Tactic to Mayuelas and even wants to be buried there. This chapter is followed by a short poem titled, “For Tía Soila.”

In the next chapter, “For Tía Soila,” Claudia describes her aunt. Though Tía Soila had two boys when she was young, she never married and entered menopause at a young age. Tía Soila tells Claudia stories about La Siguanaba, a beautiful spirit-woman who lures men in then drives them insane. When Tía Soila wears her white camisón, she reminds Claudia of La Siguanaba. Tía Soila...