The Red Umbrella

After four days, Papa returns home from jail. Lucia, Frankie, and Mama are excited to see him, so they rush to his side as he walks toward the house. The family moves together as a unit, with “no one wanting to let go” (125). Once Papa is seated in his favorite chair, the kids sit with him. Papa reaches into his pocket and returns Mama’s wedding band. He explains that they have nothing left and he has lost his job. Papa will try to earn money as a handyman, but Lucia thinks about how she has “never seen papa fix anything around [the] house” (127). When Lucia asks if Tio Antonio might be able to help, Papa gets agitated. He tells the family that they are never to mention him again. While he was arrested, Antonio told Papa that he deserves whatever happens to him. Papa explains that they “can’t count on anyone, anymore” (128).

Lucia feels that her entire life has been turned upside down. Her best friend is gone, and her life is changing. Frankie begs to go to the beach, but Mama refuses. Lucia’s mother is acting strangely. She is waiting for Alicia Milian, Laura’s mother, to come by.