Chapter 6 Efren Divided

Summary

In this heartfelt narrative, Efren, a young boy, faces the challenge of caring for his siblings Max and Mia after their mother Alma is unexpectedly taken away. The story unfolds over a weekend, where Efren's usual Saturday routine of leisurely mornings and study time is upended by the need to keep his younger siblings occupied and unaware of their mother's absence. As the weekend progresses, Efren goes to great lengths to entertain and distract Max and Mia, from horsey rides to coloring and hide-and-seek. The narrative highlights Efren's resilience and the emotional toll of keeping a difficult secret. By Monday, the strain is evident as Efren struggles with Max's resistance to getting dressed for school and the looming issue of an impending detention due to tardiness, which he cannot serve due to his responsibilities at home. The summary concludes with Efren's poignant interaction with his teacher, Miss Solomon, and his creative solution to feeding the twins on a tight budget, all while grappling with the uncertainty of Alma's return.

Takeaways

• 🛌 Efren cherishes Saturday mornings as they allow him to sleep in and enjoy a special breakfast.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Oppa's overtime work disrupts the usual weekend routine, putting extra pressure on Efren to keep Max and Mia busy.
• 👶 Max and Mia struggle with Alma's absence, making Efren's task of caring for them more challenging.
• 🏫 Efren faces difficulties with school, including being late and dealing with the consequences of his tardiness.
• 🤔 Efren is conflicted about revealing the family's legal status to Mr. Garrett, his teacher.
• 👗 Alma's potential new job becomes a point of confusion for Efren, as it coincides with her disappearance.
• 👧 Mia's desire to wear pajamas to school reflects the family's disarray and Efren's struggle to maintain normalcy.
• 🍔 Efren manages to stretch his budget to feed Max, Mia, and himself, demonstrating his resourcefulness.
• 🤥 Efren lies to Miss Solomon and the twins about Alma's whereabouts, highlighting the emotional toll of their situation.
• 🕒 Time becomes a significant factor as Efren has to balance school, caring for the twins, and worrying about Alma.
• 🏡 The neighborhood and school setting provide a backdrop for Efren's daily life and the challenges he faces.

Q & A

What was special about Saturday mornings for Efren?

Saturday mornings were special for Efren because he could sleep in a bit longer, expect a steaming bowl of arroz con leche and a freshly baked boyo loaf, and then spend time in his study which doubled as the bathroom, either finishing a whole book or until Max or Mia needed to go potty.

How did Efren spend the weekend with Max and Mia?

Efren spent the weekend with Max and Mia by keeping them busy so they wouldn't miss Alma. He did this by engaging in various activities such as horsey rides around the apartment, pushing them on the school swing sets, coloring, and playing hide and seek.

Why was getting Max dressed difficult for Efren on Monday morning?

Getting Max dressed was difficult because Max was having a rough time and was not cooperating. He threaded his arms through the pant leg incorrectly and refused to put them on properly, causing Efren to have to negotiate with him to get dressed.

What did Efren promise Max in exchange for getting dressed properly?

Efren promised Max a horsey ride all the way to school if he would get dressed properly.

Why did Efren allow Max and Mia to wear their pajamas to school?

Efren allowed Max and Mia to wear their pajamas to school because he was more concerned about their emotional state and keeping them happy, considering the absence of their mother, Alma.

What was the reason for Efren's tardiness to school on Monday?

Efren was late to school because he was having trouble with Max, who was not cooperating with getting dressed, and he had to take care of both Max and Mia.

Why did Efren not tell Mr. Garrett the real reason for his tardiness?

Efren did not tell Mr. Garrett the real reason for his tardiness because he was aware that teachers could not be trusted with his family's legal status, as per his father's (Oppa) warning about a law that would force teachers to report undocumented kids to the authorities.

How did Efren manage to feed Max, Mia, and himself with a limited budget?

Efren managed to feed Max, Mia, and himself by purchasing carne asada tacos from Don Tapatio's food truck, which were a good bargain. He took half the meat from each taco and turned each taco into two, also providing Mia with a side of beans and cheese.

What lie did Efren tell Max and Mia about their mother Alma's absence?

Efren lied to Max and Mia, telling them that their mother Alma had gone to Irvine for a job interview and later that she had started a new job. He also told them that Alma was helping their sister Tia Martha, who was sick.

How did Efren feel about the possibility of having to leave to go get Alma?

Efren felt worried and conflicted about the possibility of having to leave to go get Alma. He was concerned about the impact it would have on their lives and the challenges they would face.

What did Efren do to keep Max and Mia occupied and unaware of Alma's situation?

Efren engaged Max and Mia in various activities around the apartment, took them to school, and even allowed them to wear their pajamas to school to keep them happy and distracted from Alma's absence.