Chapter 9 Summary

In latin culture, the fifteenth birthday is a young woman's coming out party and the girls will soon turn fifteen. After this, Magda will be allowed to date and attend parties. Because of hard economic times, senora Rita and Lilita agree to have Magda and Emilia's party together. The planning continues for months.

Magda feels unclean after her encounter with the officer and hopes that the upcoming tradition of carnival will wash away her feelings of shame and guilt. She looks forward to putting on a mask and costume and losing herself in the moment. When the drummers finally arrive on their street, Magda and Marco dance together so wholeheartedly they could not distinguish themselves from one another. The dancing helps Magda feel whole again, at least for the moment.

The scene of carnival leads right into the girl's party. Since Magda's father...