Summary

“Yes. Why Would You Want to Remember, Francisco Junior?” begins with the narrator directly addressing Francisco Junior in the present moment. The narrator tells him that today, he will confront the memories of both himself and others to “fill in the gaps” (417).

The townspeople gathered at the river, waiting anxiously for the show to begin in “A Consecration at the River.” Simonopio waited, feeling lonely, as Ronda entered the river. Astonished at first, the townspeople were insulted by Ronda’s performance in “Ronda’s Singing.” He sang from behind the stream of water from the mill. Simonopio waited on his rock as the crowd demanded refunds. Feeling “trapped” by the crowd, he sensed “the two Franciscos” for comfort (344). He felt the land they were on and the “hatred in...