Summary

Javier has arrived in Ocós, a small fishing town within walking distance of the ocean. He has nobody to talk to on the journey and mostly keeps to himself when the adults are talking. He feels the deep loneliness of his grandfather’s absence and prays for his safety as they plan to cross by raft tomorrow.

The water is dark and choppy, and Javier is terrified. He can hear the waves and the strong current that pushes out toward the open ocean. The migrants do not turn on the boat motors, afraid to draw attention to themselves. Once they are underway, the choppy waves cause panic. Javier holds on tightly to the boat and prays that he will make it safely to shore in Mexico. To calm himself, he waits for nightfall so he can look at the stars, and he spends...