In the Midst of Winter

The next morning, Lucia, Richard, and Evelyn eat breakfast before embarking on the road once more. They make good progress before they see police blocking off the road due to a multiple car pile-up ahead. Forced to wait until the accidents are cleared, Richard’s ulcer begins to act up. Lucia arrives at his window with medicine but is told by the cops to return to her vehicle until the accidents are fully cleared. When they are finally allowed to proceed, Richard pulls over to vomit in the road. He tells everyone that he does not need to go to a hospital but needs to go to a bathroom to relieve his bowels. Lucia takes over driving for Richard while Evelyn drives the other car alone. In the passenger seat, Richard begins to share his most difficult memories of his younger years in Brazil.

When Richard and Anita were married in Brazil, they lived an idyllic life with their child, Bibi. While he considered himself as having “a good head for liquor” (207) then, Anita disapproved of his drinking, so he curbed his alcohol intake. After giving birth to Bibi, Anita wanted to have more children but suffered three miscarriages, which lowered her spirit.