Summary

In Chapter 27, Excel and Maxima continue posing as Perfecto and Perfecta to foster their relationship with Jerry, who periodically sends the family hundreds of dollars to help with their fabricated hardships. Maxima has chosen to tell Jerry that, rather than a wound, illness, or natural disaster, the plight of her family is Excel’s inability to access a better future for himself through an education. They face an obstacle when Jerry insists upon meeting them in person, in the Philippines, before giving them the $15,000 needed to send Perfecto to school. While Maxima is close to giving up, Excel pleads with her, faithful in her ability to think of a plan. While they discuss this, the doorbell rings, and Excel is surprised when he opens the door and sees Sab.

Sab briefly meets Maxima and sees Excel’s apartment for the first time in...