Summary

Chapter 22 opens in 1994 when Reyna enrolls in an English class at Pasadena City College. Her teacher, Diana Savas, recognizes her talent for writing and begins to mentor her, even after the course is complete. She introduces Reyna to the genre of Latino literature, and for the first time, Reyna reads about characters she can identify with. Problems at home increase as Mila discovers Papi is cheating on her, and one day, he beats Mila for the first time. The police arrive and he is temporarily arrested. Diana offers to take Reyna in and continues to mentor her. She encourages Reyna to enter an essay contest, and she wins.

In Chapter 23, Mila leaves Papi, takes nearly all their savings, and files a restraining order. Carlos calls Reyna to tell her that he found Papi nearly killed himself and Reyna feels obligated to return...