The Red Umbrella

Mrs. Baxter shows Lucia to her new room. Lucia’s closet contains secondhand clothes, and she sees bare cornfields outside her window. Mrs. Baxter explains that Mr. Baxter was unable to plant the corn this season due to an injury. For now, he works in the feed store in town. Though Lucia thanks Mrs. Baxter, she secretly thinks Ivette would be “mortified” to see her “wearing these clothes” (199). Frankie, however, is excited about the toys and clothes in his room.

That evening Mrs. Baxter serves traditional American fare for dinner. Lucia misses Cuban food. After dinner, they discuss the possibility of Lucia calling Cuba to speak to her parents, but Mrs. Baxter explains that it is too expensive. She says that Lucia and Frankie can save up their allowance to pay for phone calls. Even though the Baxters expect Lucia and Frankie to do chores and to adhere to a strict schedule, Mrs. Baxter is kind and caring. Lucia is concerned that they will have to work at dawn. Mrs. Baxter tells the children she will wake them up early so they can help tend to the chickens.