Summary

In Chapter 13, neither Merci nor Enrique say anything about what happened. Merci wound up helping roll paint on the walls while Lolo sat in a chair. At home, Merci hears Enrique, Ana, and Tia Ines whispering and arguing, but they stop each time Merci is nearby. Abuela had been angry that Lolo's ears were blistered when he got home. Merci says Abuela's theory is that “Children don't need to hear life's ugliness. There's plenty of time for that” (153). Merci believes children get a lot of ugliness – when a dog dies or parents divorce or a peer “sends a mean snap message” (153). She asks Roli what is happening but he refuses to say. They share a room and she pulls the curtains between their bed closed. On Monday at school, Merci again asks Ana to sign the permission form for her to try out...