Efren Divided chapter 13 by Ernesto Cisneros read aloud
Summary
TLDRIn a bustling Tijuana marketplace, Efren, a young man on a mission to reunite with his mother, navigates the vibrant yet unfamiliar streets. He encounters a world of colorful vendors and lively street life, only to be pursued by suspicious men, prompting a frantic escape. With the help of a local named Lalo, Efren learns about the harsh realities of border life and the struggles of families separated by it. Their journey to the 'Iron Wall', the border fence, reveals the human stories behind the immigration crisis, as Efren grapples with the complexities of seeking a better life for his family.
Takeaways
- 🏙️ The story takes place in Tijuana, Mexico, where the protagonist Efren is searching for his mother at El Taco Loco.
- 🔍 Efren is trying to blend in with the locals and is intrigued by the various goods being sold, such as blankets, grocery bags, wrestling masks, and pinatas.
- 🗣️ Efren is puzzled by the vendors calling out to him in English, which makes him feel like an outsider despite his appearance.
- 👦 Efren encounters a boy and girl selling tin flowers made from Coca-Cola cans and, despite limited funds, he decides to help them.
- 💸 Efren carries a significant amount of money in a satchel, which he is using to help his mother cross the border.
- 👀 Efren feels watched and becomes paranoid after handing out money, noticing people staring and whispering.
- 🛣️ The narrative describes a journey through different parts of Tijuana, from vibrant marketplaces to darker, more dangerous streets.
- 🚗 Efren meets Lalo, a taxi driver who helps him navigate the city and shares his own story of being separated from his daughter.
- 🏡 Lalo's living conditions are depicted as modest, highlighting the economic disparity between the areas of Tijuana.
- 🤝 Lalo and Efren bond over shared experiences and aspirations for a better life, despite their different circumstances.
- 🚧 The story touches on the harsh realities of border crossing, with references to coyotes, the risks involved, and the emotional toll on families.
Q & A
What is the significance of the white Tijuana arch in the script?
-The white Tijuana arch is a prominent landmark in the script, symbolizing the cultural and geographical setting of the story. It is also compared to the top half of a Ferris wheel, indicating the protagonist's unfamiliarity with the place.
Why does the protagonist, Efren, feel out of place in the marketplace?
-Efren feels out of place because he is an outsider and the vendors are calling out to him in English, which suggests they can tell he is not a local. His unfamiliarity with the surroundings and the way he is perceived by the locals contribute to his feeling of being an outsider.
What does Efren do when he encounters the children selling tin flowers?
-Efren, moved by the children's situation, gives them a pair of twenty-dollar bills from the satchel meant for saving his mother, Amma. This act shows his empathy and willingness to help despite his own predicament.
How does Efren's perception of his previous life change after his experience in the marketplace?
-Efren's experience in the marketplace makes him realize that the material things he once desired, like being rich or having his own room, are insignificant compared to the value of family and being together, which becomes his main priority.
What is the significance of the aqueduct ruins that Efren sees?
-The ruins of the aqueduct serve as a symbol of the broken and difficult path that Efren and many others must navigate in their pursuit of a better life. It also represents the physical and metaphorical barriers between different worlds and opportunities.
Why does Lalo take Efren to El Muro?
-Lalo takes Efren to El Muro, the Iron Wall, to show him the reality of the border situation and the separation it causes between families. It is also a place where Lalo goes to feel connected to his daughter who is on the other side.
What is the main challenge that Efren faces in trying to help his mother cross the border?
-The main challenge Efren faces is finding a reliable and safe way for his mother to cross the border using a coyote, as crossing illegally is dangerous and can lead to being abandoned in the desert or facing other serious risks.
How does Lalo's experience with the border and his daughter influence his perspective on life?
-Lalo's experience with the border and his separation from his daughter have made him value the importance of family and the desire for a better life for his child. It has also made him more empathetic towards others in similar situations.
What advice does Lalo give Efren about choosing friends and their influence on one's life?
-Lalo advises Efren to surround himself with good people who will bring out the best in him, rather than the worst. He emphasizes the importance of making wise choices and thinking for oneself, as he regrets the mistakes he made due to the wrong company.
What does the scene at El Muro reveal about the human impact of border separation?
-The scene at El Muro reveals the emotional and physical toll that border separation takes on families. It shows the longing and pain of separated loved ones who are only able to connect briefly and through the barriers of the iron fence.
Outlines
🏙️ Exploring New Surroundings
Efren, the protagonist, finds himself in a bustling marketplace near a McDonald's, captivated by the white Tijuana arch and the vibrant life around him. He feels out of place and struggles to blend in, as vendors call out to him in English. Efren's curiosity is piqued by the local goods and the diversity of people, but he is also aware of the stark socio-economic differences. After an encounter with two children selling tin flowers, Efren gives them money, which reveals his vulnerability and draws unwanted attention. He reflects on his luck growing up on the other side of the border and the sacrifices his family made for a better life.
👣 Encounters and Escape
As Efren continues his journey, the atmosphere changes from colorful and lively to dark and ominous. He senses being watched by people on the street and feels a growing sense of danger. His panic intensifies as he realizes he is being pursued by unknown men. Efren's quick thinking leads him to a taxi driven by Lalo, who offers him refuge. They bond over shared experiences and Lalo's cautionary advice about the perils of crossing the border. Lalo's living conditions reveal the hardships faced by many in Tijuana, and Efren gains a deeper understanding of the challenges of life in this new environment.
🌅 Reflections at the Border Wall
Efren and Lalo visit the Iron Wall, a stark symbol of the border separating Mexico from the United States. They witness families on both sides of the wall trying to connect through the barriers, a poignant scene that highlights the human cost of border separation. Lalo shares his personal story of being separated from his daughter Abby, and his longing to provide a better life for her despite the challenges. Efren contemplates his own luck in being able to cross borders and the unfairness of the situation. The visit to the wall deepens their understanding of the complexities of immigration and the emotional toll it takes on families.
🤔 The Dilemma of Crossing
Efren reveals his plan to use a coyote to help his mother cross the border, presenting the money he has saved for this purpose. Lalo, having experienced the harsh realities of illegal border crossings, warns Efren of the dangers and the high costs involved. He offers to make some calls to see if there's a safer way for Efren's family to reunite. Lalo's own dreams of reuniting with his daughter are tempered by the harsh realities of his life in Tijuana. The conversation underscores the difficult choices and sacrifices individuals must make in pursuit of a better life.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Tijuana
💡Border
💡Coyote
💡Mariachi
💡Aqueduct
💡Satchel
💡El Taco Loco
💡Lalo
💡Iron Wall (El Muro)
💡Cultural Identity
Highlights
Efren discovers an article about the white Tijuana arch resembling a Ferris wheel without baskets.
The Tijuana marketplace feels calm despite the bustling activity, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Efren struggles to blend in as a tourist due to his outsider appearance and behavior.
Vendors in the marketplace call out to Efren in English, indicating they recognize him as a foreigner.
Efren's internal conflict about his appearance and how it sets him apart from the locals.
A pair of children selling tin flowers made from Coca-Cola cans catches Efren's attention.
Efren's act of kindness towards the children by giving them money reflects his character.
Efren becomes paranoid and worried after being stared at by two women in the marketplace.
He experiences a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for his family and home.
Efren's confusion about the two arches and his quest to find the correct path.
The vivid description of the colorful street and its connection to Efren's memories.
Efren's realization of the darker side of the neighborhood as he encounters suspicious characters.
Lalo's intervention saves Efren from potential danger, showcasing his role as a protector.
Lalo shares his personal story and the hardships he faces being separated from his daughter.
Efren's encounter with the Iron Wall and the emotional impact of witnessing families separated by the border.
Lalo's explanation of the challenges and risks associated with crossing the border illegally.
Efren's plan to use a coyote to help his mother cross the border and reunite their family.
Lalo's advice to Efren on the importance of surrounding oneself with good people.
Efren's contemplation on the concept of luck and the privileges he has simply by being born on the other side of the border.
Transcripts
chapter 13 peeking out from behind the
McDonald's was the white Tijuana arch
with a wide screen TV entangled in the
center like a fly on a spider web
playing commercials an article this is
the one he'd been looking for Efren
thought it looked like the top half of a
ferris wheel the kind the church sets up
in their parking lot once a year only
this one didn't have any baskets to ride
on
it was so close to a ma he could feel it
everywhere he turned stores with their
front shutters rolled up were opening
for business however even with all the
zooming cars and Street vendors
hollering their best offers the place
felt strangely calm as if the entire
block had prepared for a huge block
party and all the guests decided not to
show up a friend sidestepped a
gray-haired man dressed in a complete
Mariachi get up his eyes wide and
friendly his face full of years the move
caused that friend to bump into the
teenager standing at the newspaper stand
the teen wearing faded jeans and a red
tie snapped harshly at him cuidado
a friend said apologetically he couldn't
look like a tourist he needed to act
like he lived there but blending in was
going to be harder than he thought
especially with all the new and
interesting things to see all around him
vendors held up heavy fleece blankets
perfect for cold winter nights colorful
mesh bags used for grocery shopping
Lucha Libre wrestling masks a variety of
superhero pinatas and the always popular
Mexican sarapes
what they were selling made perfect
sense what didn't was why they were all
calling out to him in English it was
true that he was an outsider who didn't
really belong but how did they know this
was it something in the way he dressed
the way he walked maybe the way he
looked at everything with new eyes he
searched the crowd comparing the Sea of
brown skin the range was huge an entire
colored color squash of different shades
there were so many vendors there people
like Lalo struggling to find their place
in this strange world
just as a sadness began to grow and the
pit of his stomach a pair of kids a boy
and a girl cut him off and their hands
was a pair of tin flowers made from
striped slits of cocoa Coca-Cola cans do
you guys make these unsure of his
question the little boy and girl turned
toward each other and Shrugged
usted slow but Efron stopped himself
amidst as he looked down at their hands
there was no need to ask in Spanish the
answer was obvious as the dirty
Band-Aids at the end of the ends of
their fingers effort to remember the
pesos about had given him but the number
of pesos he had on him wouldn't be
enough to help these kids Efron reached
into the shirt and pulled out the
Satchel with the monument for saving
Amma from the wad of money he peeled
away a pair of twenty dollar bills and
handed them to the kids it was the right
thing to do ever knew Amma would have
done the exact same thing if she were
there now
but that didn't make what he'd done any
safer Efron immediately tucked the
Satchel back under his shirt and looked
around for any wandering eyes that might
have seen him sure enough he spotted two
women starting at staring at him
Whispering something to each other what
had he done before giving either kid a
chance to thank him after and hurried
through the marketplace as quickly as he
could but with each step he took a
little voice at the back of his mind
warned him as Ephron made his way out of
the marketplace he thought about how
lucky he was to have been raised on the
other side of the Border he remembered
all the times he'd secretly wished he
were one of the rich kids that lived in
the Floral Park neighborhood around his
school the times he wished he might have
have had his own room on TV on bed none
of those things matter to him anymore
all he wanted was his family at home in
their tiny studio apartment together a
monopod didn't like to talk too much
about why they left their home so long
ago for a better life seemed to be the
only their only answer only now Efren
was beginning to understand what they'd
left behind
just as Efron hurried past the Last
Stand something caught his eye a few
feet away stood the ruins of an aqueduct
the arch barely standing it was the same
roman-like structure he'd read about in
his Social Studies books wait which of
the two arches was he supposed to follow
he looked over at the giant silver
Landmark above but the street under it
just appeared to end the aqua deck Arc
led to a colorful Street
where he could see a hotel sign up ahead
that has to be the one the Taco Loco had
to be nearby Efren followed the aqueduct
arches down the most colorful Street
he'd ever seen it was as if each
building had something or had somehow
been painted in a different flute fruit
flavor to his left and toward the bottom
of a giant lemon and colored Wallace to
the opening to a tiny shop everyone
skipped over many of the words on the
homemade sign finding comfort and
familiar ones like dual says hugos and
paletas all the delicious snacks he'd
find for sale in Don tapatio's food
truck back home
to his right stood Hotel Santa Cecilia
painted in the color of the watermelon
agua fresca occasionally made in the
summertime
this thought made Ephraim feel better
about where am I had landed he pictured
her in the marketplace making friends
with the vendors like she did around the
neighborhood at home that all changed
however once he passed the lime-colored
Rio Verde bar with every stick effort
took the bright fruit flavor colors on
each building grew darker as if coated
by a layer of dirt and Ash he paused
noticing the women standing at the curb
watching him his eyes moved to the men
across the street watching too he
quickened his Pace until he reached the
end of the block there he looked over
his shoulder the men were close behind
him and coming closer a pause warning
echoed in his mind and panic set in back
in his neighborhood he knew exactly
which fences to climb which Apartments
to run to and which Alleyways to avoid
here the dangers were new he'd heard
stories of people being picked up off
the streets and never heard from again
he'd also heard about drug cartels and
Corruption he scanned the street
catching a glimpse of a papaya colored
building the Taco Loco hoping for
exactly that he broke into a full Sprint
this time around he didn't bother to
apologize to anyone he bumped into along
the way and still the people he slammed
into acted as if witnessing a panic
starting a kid running through the
streets was simply an everyday
occurrence
stopping at an alto sign he coughed and
heaved with his hands resting over his
knees the only other Street available
looked even worse than the one he found
himself in again he looked over his
shoulder the men chasing him stopped as
well breaking into menacing the smiles
as if they knew something he did not hey
little man a voice called out he felt a
surge of relief when he saw the familiar
taxis get over to where he was get in
shouted Lalo reaching behind him to
swing the back door open Efron turned to
look back at the men who had been
following him they weren't smiling
anymore he jumped into the car bumping
the back of his head as the car's
acceleration flung his body across the
back seat whoa little man what are you
doing away from the plaza this is
definitely not the place for a kid like
you I was looking for the Loco Tacos to
see my mom if you mean El Taco Loco it's
about half a block from the marketplace
he pointed in the other direction that
way Efron rubbed his temples before
looking down at his watch it was just
ten past noon can you take me there now
my mom's got to be there waiting for me
nah man no can do those guys are
dangerous in ways you can't imagine we
better hang low for a bit trust me if
your mom is waiting for you she won't go
anywhere
but I'm sorry you'd be putting both our
lives in danger not to mention your
mother's Efren didn't like the sound of
that well what do I do in the meantime
you can join me for lunch that okay with
you a friend's mind raised raced he knew
better than to talk to strangers but
what choice did he have like it or not
Lalo was his best bet right now besides
there was something about Lalo that made
Efren trust him
Tijuana was different than Efron had
imagined he stared out the window
marveling at the scraps of sheet metal
used to cover what in some cases
appeared to be walls of cardboard those
homes that were lucky enough to include
a pla or plywood and cinderbox look to
have been built on top of each other
Lala why are the homes in the Hills so
ghetto Yeah Yeah well yeah
this is the land no one wants on this
side of the board of the rich folk here
all live on Flatland
efren's eyes roamed this place was
nothing like home
Lalo's Place wasn't much different from
the rest of the neighborhood just a tiny
room barely large enough to fit one twin
mattress one rickety bookshelf and a
propane burner to cook I know it ain't
much but I mostly just sleep here
besides the less money I spend here the
more I can send my little girl Lalo
turned and pointed at a photo resting
over a milk carton crate or a milk crate
beside his bed his daughter was about
the same age as Max and Mia but she had
light wavy hair and hazel eyes she's
adorable it's probably my favorite
anyway little man make yourself at home
you mind if I use your restroom again
yeah my stomach acts up when I get
nervous well you good now bro it's just
outside to the right if the door is
closed don't go in one of the neighbors
may be using it Efron went out through
the back door the outside area wasn't
much better over to the side was the
Outhouse he stepped inside and slid shut
the plank of wood that doubled as a door
he looked down at the bucket of water
stored beside the toilet vowing to never
complain about having to wait his turn
at home again
he layered the seed in toilet paper when
he was done he picked up the bucket he'd
learned about this trick from a paw once
when the water to their apartment was
shut off and emptied them into the bowl
somehow the toilet flushed FN refilled
the bucket and washed his hands with the
nearby hose then hurried back inside
where Lalo had had prepared a set of
instant Ramen soups bro you like
Maruchan do you like do you have any
Tapatio
Lalo pointed to a bottle beside the
bunny ear TV antenna come come on now
what kind of homie doesn't have Tapatio
in his crib Efron smiled and ate
half-heartedly hey little man don't
worry I got you how about we go down to
El Muro till things cool down
everyone checked his watch my dad's kind
of waiting for me across the border I
know you want to get back but waiting
around here isn't going gonna get you
there any faster come on all right he
said slurping the last of the noodles
Efren followed Lalo back outside and
waited for him to unlock the back door
of the taxi what you doing Lalo asked
sticking his head out the driver's seat
where Bros now you can sit up front from
now on Efron dashed across the passenger
side and slid back into his seat cool
like Lalo did so what's this mordo
you're talking to me taking me to he
asked not a laughed the mooro Muro is
the Iron Wall that separates us from the
U.S side it ends where the ocean waves
begin to form beaches I've never heard
of any beaches in TJ Lalo pointed up
ahead as he made a turn see there that's
the Pacific same water on both sides of
the wall Efren lean forward for a better
look looks kind of like the beaches at
home yep a lot of brush to the tip of
his nose sometimes I Come Around Here
buy myself a drink and stare out into
the ocean thinking about my little girl
there's usually a parent or two running
around with their kids I gotta admit his
voice broke a tiny bit it still hurts
makes me feel robbed my friend glanced
over at him I'm sorry he's scoffed at
least I've got my memories to keep me
company memories of me rocking her in my
arms back and forth of me making up baby
rap songs about us Lalo's jaw tightened
you know what I miss most he continued
while gazing out at the sea it's the way
she used to look up at me like she knew
who I was she didn't see a high school
dropout didn't see the tats on my arms
or back she just accepted me
unconditional love bro
anyway my little Abby knew that I loved
her and trusted her that I trusted that
I would do anything and everything to
protect her then she'd shut her eyes and
be out for like three hours three hours
it sounded like something Mia would do
Lalo sniffed and exhaled deeply yeah
three wonderful hours with her against
my chest stuff like that as a way of
changing People Lala wiped the bridge of
his nose
Efron wiped his eyes the worst part is
how the men the only memory she has of
me now are behind the iron beams of the
Moodle
Lord knows I haven't lived a perfect
life but I ain't no criminal
unfortunately that's not how she sees me
to her I'm nothing more than an
embarrassment just some tatted up
thought though that sends her money and
writes letters that she occasionally
answers she can write at her age Lalo
laughed heartily my baby girl is a baby
anymore the photo you saw is old she's a
teenager with her own life to live in
the states where she belongs just like
that Lalo slipped a new CD into this
stereo and cranked up the volume so loud
that he cringed check this out it's my
jam he said dropping the volume Just A
Pinch
Efren had no idea who the rapper was but
he bobbed his head up and down as Lalo
Sing Out Loud Effron mumbled along as
best he could occasionally skipping out
over words he wasn't yet allowed to say
looking out the window is a glimpse of
an entirely new world yes the place was
simple and poor looking but it was also
kind of beautiful there were no
ridiculous Mansions hogging the ocean
view or fancy hotels catering to the
rich and said there were tiny stands
advertising fresh coconuts and shrimp
cocktails you know Lalo this place is
kind of nice it can be Lalo parked
alongside a white curb that extended
below a white Lighthouse Tower and for
an examined the miniature palm trees and
uneven paths ahead he couldn't decide if
the place looking more like a skateboard
park or a miniature golf course
this is it the moro come on
Efren followed Lalo up the ramp where
families of every size lined the rusted
iron beams many unfolding beach chairs
what are they doing visiting with
families Lalo put it to the other side
of the fence see people from the U.S
line up and when their turn comes up
they get to hold hands with the family
they're separated from it's how I got to
watch my daughter grow up in Lalo placed
his hand on efren's shoulder and paws
like he had something to say only he
didn't speak a word just stare started
walking toward the empty Beach
and a friend's eyes shirt to search the
mini faces along the fence they came in
all sorts from babies to elderly folk
with Walkers all different beautiful
shades of brown and friend began walking
alongside the iron barrier there were as
many Smiles as there were tears a woman
leaned into the space between the beams
she poked her arm through she was about
the same height as a mom with a similar
pinto bean shade of skin
have been walked closer curious about
what she was doing the answer hit him
immediately his eyes stung as if they'd
been rubbed with a ripe jalapeno less
than 10 feet away was a mother and
daughter her Sea World had still on
resting their foreheads against the
other each with their eyes closed tears
flowing he patted his shirt feeling the
Satchel underneath his shirt helped calm
and reassure him he looked over at the
rest of the families camping around the
sidewalk waiting for their turns to turn
to hold hands too
Efron walked up to the iron fence and
held up his palm against it how was it
possible that he was allowed to cross to
either side his place of birth didn't
change anything about him it didn't make
him better than anyone else it just made
him
lucky plain simple dumb luck
Efron came up behind Lalo and took a
seat next to him beside the invisible
line where the ocean waves broke before
retreating there you are right Lalo
asked Efren took a moment before
answering I don't get it what don't you
get
white people don't just hire a coyote
and come over anyway like ahmad's going
to do his face lit up I know you could
tag along you and Amma could cross
together hold up Lalo said turning to
face him it's not that simple you can't
just walk across I know that's why we
got the money my dad took on some extra
night work to get it but it's here with
me see Efren reached under his shirt for
the satchel and pulled out the wad of
money he had
um I found a coyote who promised to get
her across right at the hotel she found
on the Avenida revolucion all I need to
do is deliver this to her then we can go
back to the way things were we can be a
family again
Lala went silent what's wrong is it not
enough first you have to boast up do us
both a favor and put that money away
Lalo surveyed the beach to make sure no
one was watching look man as much as I'd
like to I'm not gonna lie to you getting
across isn't as easy as you think using
a coyote to cross along the Customs line
is pricey but crossing over by the
desert he shook his head I wouldn't try
it again and try it not again and the
local poiros are too risky some of them
promise to get you across but instead
they take you just take your money and
dump you into the desert to fend for
yourself but they're not all bad right
look I know a few guys who work this
area I can't make you any promises but I
can call and see if they might be able
to help you guys out
what about you don't you want to see
your daughter of course I do more than
anything else but without a license or
social security number there isn't much
I can do to make a living there besides
I've got a record so if I get caught
again I'll definitely do some serious
time Behind Bars
he rubbed his chin as he continued but
you don't have to worry about me I'll
make do sadly it's what our people are
best at making do everyone took a moment
to let the word sink in then he looked
at Lalo and Tried reading the letters
just below his knuckles only the tattoo
was too faded to read did you do
something bad nah man well nothing too
serious he stared out blankly at the sea
as it can transfer the motion of the
Waves simply put I hung around the wrong
type of friends didn't think for myself
Lalo gave that friend a look little man
do yourself a favor surround yourself
with good people people who will bring
out the good in you not the bad
friend thought about David about how
lucky he was to have a friend like him
scratch that had him as a friend but it
wasn't like he could just quit the
election Jennifer had been right
and he needed to push through the dirt
and reach for the sunlight I think
you're a great guy you shouldn't give up
give up Lalo laugh trust me if there's
one thing I don't do it's give up here's
the thing all I want out of life is for
my Abby to grow up happy with a
good job maybe a family that's it
everything else is gravy Lalo scratched
at the tip of his nose
I just want what every parent wants for
their children a better life efren's
forehead wrinkled a better life without
you ever nodded ever so slightly a
better life for her
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