Summary

In Chapter 11, “Henry,” when Henry was 21, he “was diagnosed with diabetes” (123). Diabetes ran in the family, but Henry never listened to his parents’ warnings “not to overeat” (123). Although Henry knew he was gaining weight, he convinced himself there was “time to change” (124).

Henry worked for a local electronics shop called Uncle Billy’s. It was run by Ikbar. Billy spent more and more time there, even skipping school. Over time, Henry became jealous of Andrés’s successes, no longer feeling like “the big brother” (126). For years, Henry tried unsuccessfully to complete his degree. His parents’ worried he was “ruining his future” (127). Patty tried convincing Rosario not to be so hard on him. However, Rosario worried her “distaste for and fear of the world” had caused Henry’s problems (128).

Henry relied upon his relationships with “meek people” to mask his insecurities (129). He and...