The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora

The morning following Abuela’s passing, the Zamoras gather in the courtyard. Addressing her bleary-eyed family, Cari notes that the city council vote is in ten days, but advises they focus, instead, on Abuela’s memory and doing everything she enjoyed: going to the beach, taking walks, seeing movies. When Aunt Tuti argues they should direct their energy toward defeating Wilfrido’s bid, Cari counters that preserving their family unity is more important. The two sisters continue to argue, and Arturo reflects that if Abuela “were here, all she’d have to do was take our hands and offer a prayer and everyone would quiet down and listen” (168).

Cari has the final word, declaring that if they lose the council vote, they will simply relocate the restaurant. Arturo surprises himself by protesting that they should fight Wilfrido, and his ever-patient father speaks up as well, reminding Cari that “this restaurant is what your parents built their whole lives on. It isn’t just a building—it’s a home” (169). Refusing to change her position, Arturo’s mother points out that her parents left their home in Cuba and successfully built a new life in a new place.

Arturo quietly slips away to his room, thinking that developers like Wilfrido must be stopped or tight-knit communities like Canal Grove will be doomed.