The Distance Between Us

With Christmas approaching, Reyna and her siblings see an advertisement promising a conversation with Santa Claus. Not knowing that it is an expensive call, they talk to Santa and ask for presents. Reyna wants a pair of skates but doesn’t know the English word. With no money to buy presents for their father and Mila, Reyna and her siblings shoplift from a local grocer. Grande notes, “Nothing seemed good enough for Papi,” and Reyna is distressed when she sees that Carlos is eyeing bottles of alcohol (195). They finally run off with a can of hair spray and a tin of hair polish, knowing that if their father finds out he will send them back to Mexico.

On Christmas day, Reyna does not receive skates; she wonders if Santa knew about her crime. When the phone bill arrives two weeks later, their father is furious. He beats them with his belt and puts a lock on the phone. Mago asks how they can call him in an emergency, but he ignores her.

Along with the other female students in her class, Reyna watches an instructional video about menstruation. Following the assembly, she receives an instructional pamphlet and a sanitary napkin.