Reaching Out

Shortly before going home for the summer, Frank receives shocking news: “The house in Bonetti Ranch burned down. No one got hurt, thank God, but almost everything is gone” (154). Frank recalls an earlier time the family suffered from a fire, in which Frank lost a prize notepad.

Father Shanks expresses his sympathy and gives Frank one hundred dollars from the vice president of Student Services. Frank’s mother and younger siblings move into a rental home, and Frank stays with Roberto for the summer. Frank’s mother takes the blow philosophically and the younger siblings adjust well to their new home. The family is pleased and amused to learn that Torito, who is now a freshman in high school and aspires to go to college, has acquired a girlfriend with whom he studies. Trampita writes a poem about the fire entitled “Mi Casa No Longer Shames Me.” Frank visits the charred remains of the home. 

During his senior year, Frank decides to support César Chávez’s efforts to unionize farm workers to obtain better working and living conditions. He believes so strongly in the cause that he absents himself from a philosophy class in order to attend the march led by Chávez himself.