Abuela, Don't Forget Me

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses domestic violence, child abuse, and discrimination. 

The poems in Part 2 continue to develop Ogle’s close relationship with Abuela, the instability of his home life with his mother and stepfather, and his struggles with identity and racism. In “lemonade,” Mom and Ogle make an unannounced trip to Abilene, arriving late at night. Mom shouts about having just received a petition for divorce from Ogle’s father, who has largely been absent from his life. Ogle asks Abuela if he can have some lemonade. Abuela tells him that it is too late for lemonade now, but that tomorrow he can have all the lemonade he wants.

During their visit, Ogle asks Abuela if he can go across the street to play with a neighbor kid, Jason. Mom interjects, telling him that he is there to spend time with Abuela. Abuela tells Ogle that it is fine for him to go play with Jason. Ogle sticks his tongue out at his Mom as he runs out the door, leaving her shouting in his wake. He does not turn around, as he knows that the shouting will still be there when he returns.

When Ogle next visits Abuela in Abilene in “books on tape,” he finds a cassette player from the library in his room.