A Place Where the Sea Remembers

Chapter 13 comes full circle, bringing the narrative back to Chayo and Candelario, although this chapter focuses on Chayo’s perspective. The chapter opens with Chayo on the beach selling her paper flowers. Her son Tonito is with her, selling Chicklets. When it begins to rain, they take refuge in the shelter of a building under construction, where they meet the birdman, Justo Flores. Justo reveals that his dog Yoyo has died. He gives Tonito a small piece of paper with a fortune printed on it, but Chayo dismisses it as “absurd” and throws it away.

At home Chayo prepares the mole sauce for Esperanza and Rafael’s wedding. Marta comes to the door, begging once again for Chayo’s forgiveness. Chayo refuses, saying, “For what you did, there is no forgiveness” (151).

At the wedding, Esperanza and Rafael dance and celebrate before boarding a bus to Guadalajara. After the wedding, doña Lina will travel to Veracruz to live with her eldest son Tomas. Marta’s friend Luz becomes romantically involved with César Burgos, the fisherman. Fulgencio Llanos is the wedding photographer. As they walk home, Marta’s son Richard asks to sleep over with his cousin Tonito. Chayo agrees.