A Handful of Stars

Lily shares with her grandparents her plan to sell bee houses at the festival. Mémère initially resists, resenting Pépère’s encouragement and fearing it would influence Lily as it did her mother, but she eventually concedes, allowing Lily to use her money as she sees fit. Taking the initiative, Lily heads to the festival alone to secure a booth. As she walks, she envisions her mother encouraging her, triggering an insecurity about her perceived ordinariness compared to her mother. At the festival’s sign-up, Lily registers for a booth, intending to sell painted bee houses and food. Overcoming her fears, she is thrilled and eager to share the news with Salma.

At the migrant camp, Lily and Salma discuss the upcoming beauty pageant at the festival and plan the food offerings for the booth. Lily suggests blueberry pies, while Salma proposes a unique option—blueberry enchiladas. Lily hesitates, concerned about scaring away customers, but ultimately agrees. Proud of her courage, she looks forward to using the booth to expedite Lucky’s surgery.

Lily invites Salma to her apartment to test a batch of blueberry enchiladas for the upcoming festival. Upon seeing Lily’s room, Salma congratulates her on having her own space, a luxury she seldom experiences in the migrant camp or even back in Florida, where she shares a room with her cousin.