The Closet Summary

Nieves Esquibel's closet holds many treasures, among them a luminescent, sliding picture of Jesus, one side as a man and one as a shadow in a shroud, a wedding photograph, and the numerous shoes she wears as a teacher. Nieves had originally been married to a fine "catch", Juan Luz Contreras, but he died when their first child was just three days old by drinking acid, under suspicious circumstances, perhaps the mistake of the local druggist. He was the father of Ronelia, Rocio's eldest sister, who is grown and has moved away. The wedding photo is of Nieves and him. Shelves in this closet contain old records, teaching mementos, and home movies of the children in front of the willow tree.

It is August, and Rocio and Mercy are supposed to be taking an imposed nap. Instead, they are exploring mother's...