Summary

After Cosme passes away, Camilo notes the relative indifference of his family to his passing. Joana informs Camilo that she knows about what he and Cosme used to do together, but promises not to tell their parents. At Cosme’s funeral, Camilo is unable to act as a pallbearer because of his disability, a detail that creates some considerable awkwardness between Camilo and Pablo and that Camilo feels bitterly ashamed of as Cosme’s casket is lowered into the ground. The town continues to take no action in the investigation of Cosme’s death, and though Camilo is certain it was done by Adriano, no prosecution is ever accomplished. When Camilo attempts to tell Pablo that he is certain of Adriano’s guilt in Cosme’s murder, Pablo merely laughs at him. The family continues to employ Paulina, whom Camilo eventually settles on...