Return to Sender

Returning to Tyler’s perspective in a section called “Farm of Many Plots,” the chapter opens with Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma’s house, where Tyler’s family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, gather to eat. The girls, Papá, Tío Armando, and Tío Felipe are there at Grandma’s invitation as well. On Tyler’s mind is “the Grandma problem,” a conflict he overheard in the last week. Aunt Jeanne thinks Grandma needs to live with one of her children, but Tyler knows Grandma does not want to leave her house. After dinner, Papá and the tíos go to milk the cows, but Tyler’s mom asks the Marías to stay. Mari overhears Uncle Larry telling the adults that Homeland Security is working harder to find and deport undocumented workers in the area: “I don’t put it beyond them to just come on our property and haul them off” (114).

When Grandma goes to check on the younger Marías and cousins, the adults gather to discuss what they should do about her. Tyler hears Aunt Jeanne talking about Grandma’s “voodoo altar” and car accidents, insisting she should no longer live alone. Leaving Grandma’s house, Tyler and Mari discuss possible hiding plans if la migra come for the Cruzes.