Efren Divided chapter 12 by Ernesto Cisneros read aloud

Summary

In this chapter, the twins are excited about buttermilk pancakes from Denny's, but the main focus is on Efren's journey. He is sent to Tijuana alone to meet his deported mother, despite the risks and his fears. With the help of a kind taxi driver named Lalo, who shares his own story of deportation, Efren navigates the unfamiliar city. The narrative captures the emotional turmoil of separation and the hope of reuniting with loved ones, set against the backdrop of the challenging border reality.

Takeaways

• 🌅 The story begins early in the morning with the twins excited about going to Denny's for buttermilk pancakes.
• 🤗 The twins are taken to a daycare run by Adela, a kind and well-liked lunch lady, after a stop at an Arco station for gas.
• 🚗 Efren is apprehensive about a two-hour drive to San Diego and is given money to play a claw machine, an unusual treat.
• 👶 Max chooses a panda bear with shifty button eyes, while Mia is intrigued by a possibly mis-sewn animal toy.
• 🚫 Efren is not interested in playing the claw machine, acting as if it's the last time he'll see his friends, hinting at a secret.
• 📝 Efren is handed contact information for his cousin Miguel 'just in case', indicating a sense of risk or uncertainty.
• 🚘 The journey to San Diego is filled with Efren's internal struggle and the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Ocean.
• 🛃 At the San Clemente checkpoint, Efren worries about the border patrol, showing his fear and anxiety about the journey.
• 🏭 Efren is reminded of his mother's comforting touch and the courage he needs for the task ahead, emphasizing family importance.
• 🚶‍♂️ Efren crosses the border alone, pretending to be part of a family to blend in, highlighting the risks immigrants face.
• 🚖 Efren meets a taxi driver named Lalo, who shares his own story of deportation and the harsh reality of life in Tijuana.
• 💭 Efren contemplates the possibility of not being able to return to the U.S., reflecting on the complex choices faced by immigrants.
• 📍 Lalo gives Efren directions to the Arco on Revolution Avenue and warns him about the dangers of straying off the main streets.
• 🅿️ Efren is dropped off near a McDonald's where he feels a sense of relief and reassurance in the familiar surroundings.

Q & A

Why were the twins not asleep at the early hour?

The twins were not asleep because they were excited about the idea of having buttermilk pancakes from Denny's.

What activity did the twins rarely get to do?

The twins rarely got to play the claw machine.

Why did APA give playing money to Ephraim?

APA gave playing money to Ephraim so he could play the claw machine with the twins.

What was Adela's role in the story?

Adela was the lunch lady whose duplex apartment doubled as the school's unofficial daycare.

Why did the twins' smiles vanish when their father handed Adela Miguel's contact information?

The smiles vanished because it seemed as if their father was preparing for a situation where he might not return, making the situation awkward and uneasy.

Why was Efren going to Tijuana alone?

Efren was going to Tijuana alone because it was something he had to do for his mother and the entire family; it was their only plan.

What was Efren's emotional state during the drive to San Diego?

Efren's emotional state was nervous and apprehensive, as he was scared about crossing the border alone and worried about what could happen.

What was the significance of the San Clemente checkpoint?

The San Clemente checkpoint was significant because it was a random border patrol spot to catch people coming up from the border, which made Efren uneasy about his return.

Why did Efren choose the taxi driver named Lalo?

Efren chose Lalo because he reminded him of Rafa from his neighborhood, and he felt a sense of familiarity and safety with him.

What did Lalo mean when he referred to Tijuana as 'limbo' and 'the land of the Forgotten'?

Lalo referred to Tijuana as 'limbo' and 'the land of the Forgotten' to describe it as a place that is not quite Mexico or the U.S., implying it's a place where people are stuck and forgotten.

How did Lalo's story about his daughter affect Efren?

Lalo's story about his daughter made Efren question the idea of crossing over to the U.S. and whether it was really an option for him and his family.

What was Efren's final destination in Tijuana?

Efren's final destination in Tijuana was the Arco on Revolución Avenue, where he was supposed to meet his AMA.

Outlines

00:00

🥞 Early Morning Adventure to Denny's

The story begins with twins who are excited about going to Denny's for buttermilk pancakes instead of sleeping. Their guardian, APA, indulges them and even allows them to play the claw machine, a rare treat. Max and Mia show interest in different toys, but their cousin Ephraim seems distant, aware of an impending separation. After the fun, the twins are dropped off at Adela's, who runs an unofficial daycare. APA then takes Ephraim on a two-hour drive to San Diego, hinting at a significant journey ahead. The narrative captures the contrast between the carefree morning and the tension building around Ephraim's secret mission.

05:02

🚗 Journey to Tijuana: A Family's Struggle

Ephraim's journey continues as he crosses the border to Tijuana alone, a mission critical for his family. Despite the fear and uncertainty, he is determined to be brave for his mother. The drive is filled with both the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the anxiety of the checkpoint at San Clemente. Upon arrival in Tijuana, Ephraim navigates the unfamiliar streets, seeking a taxi to take him to a specific location. He encounters Lalo, a deported man with a strong sense of responsibility towards his daughter in the U.S. Lalo shares his perspective on Tijuana being a 'limbo' and the difficulties of re-entry. Ephraim, influenced by Lalo's story, begins to question the feasibility of his own situation. The encounter ends with Lalo refusing payment, urging Ephraim to find his mother. The narrative highlights the complex emotions and the harsh realities faced by those dealing with deportation and family separation.

Keywords

💡Buttermilk Pancakes

Buttermilk pancakes are a type of breakfast food made with buttermilk, which gives them a distinctive tangy flavor and tender texture. In the script, the idea of having buttermilk pancakes from Denny's is what wakes the twins up early and excites them, showing the appeal of a simple pleasure in their day.

💡Claw Machine

A claw machine, also known as a crane game, is a type of arcade game where players control a mechanical claw to try and pick up toys or other prizes. In the script, the twins are excited about the opportunity to play the claw machine, which is a rare treat for them and adds to the theme of cherishing special moments.

💡Unofficial Daycare

An unofficial daycare refers to a place that provides childcare services without being officially licensed or recognized by authorities. In the story, Adela's duplex apartment serves as an unofficial daycare for the school, indicating a sense of community support and the makeshift solutions families rely on when formal options are not available.

💡San Diego

San Diego is a city on the Pacific coast of California known for its beaches, parks, and warm climate. In the script, the characters are planning a two-hour drive to San Diego, setting the stage for the journey that is central to the narrative and suggesting a contrast between the characters' current situation and their destination.

💡Tijuana

Tijuana is a city in Mexico, located just south of San Diego, and is known for its proximity to the U.S. border. The script mentions going into Tijuana alone as a necessary action for the character Efren, highlighting the theme of courage and sacrifice as he ventures into an unfamiliar place for his family's sake.

💡Border Patrol

Border patrol refers to law enforcement agencies that guard a nation's borders to prevent unauthorized entry. In the script, the mention of the San Clemente checkpoint and the border patrol adds tension to Efren's journey, emphasizing the risks and fears associated with crossing borders.

💡Deportation

Deportation is the formal removal of a person from a country, usually because they have violated immigration laws. The script reveals that Efren's mother has been deported, which is the driving force behind his trip to Tijuana and the emotional core of the story, as it explores themes of family separation and the struggle for belonging.

💡Arco de la Revolución

Arco de la Revolución, or the Arch of Revolution, is a monument in Tijuana. In the script, it serves as a landmark and meeting point for Efren and his mother, symbolizing the hope and struggle of reuniting a family that has been torn apart by deportation.

💡Toll

A toll refers to a fee charged for using a particular infrastructure, such as a bridge or road. The script mentions a toll at the San Clemente checkpoint, which adds a layer of realism to the setting and contributes to the tension of Efren's journey as he navigates through border controls.

💡Notarizing Letter of Permission

A notarizing letter of permission is a legal document that has been officially witnessed and verified by a notary public, granting permission for certain actions. In the script, Efren carries such a letter, which underscores the legal complexities and formalities he must navigate to see his mother, adding to the theme of bureaucracy and its impact on personal relationships.

💡Limbo

Limbo refers to a state of uncertainty or suspension, often used to describe a situation where one is caught between two places or states of being. In the script, the character Lalo describes Tijuana as 'limbo,' highlighting the sense of being caught between two worlds and the struggle to find a sense of home or belonging.

Highlights

Twins are awake early due to excitement over Denny's buttermilk pancakes.

APA takes out one dollar bills to play the claw machine, an unusual treat for the twins.

Max and Mia show interest in different toys at the claw machine.

Efren is uninterested in the claw machine, hinting at a deeper concern.

Adela, the lunch lady, runs an unofficial daycare from her apartment.

APA hands over Miguel's contact information to Adela as a precaution.

The group makes a stop at the Arco station to fill up the Chevy for the San Diego drive.

Efren feels anxious as they approach the San Clemente checkpoint.

Efren is reminded of his mother's comforting presence as he travels.

Efren is determined to cross the border alone for his family.

Efren is instructed to act naturally and not to worry upon crossing the border.

Efren is given specific instructions on how to navigate to the meeting point in Tijuana.

Efren encounters a taxi driver named Lalo who offers to help him.

Lalo refuses to charge Efren for the ride, showing empathy for his situation.

Efren is advised by Lalo to be cautious and avoid the police.

Lalo shares his perspective on Tijuana as a place of limbo and forgotten people.

Efren's perception of Tijuana changes as he finds comfort in familiar surroundings like McDonald's.

Transcripts

chapter 12. it was so early that the

twins should have been simply still been

asleep but the idea of buttermilk

pancakes from Denny's had them both Wide

Awake they bounced in place while APA

reached into his wallet for one dollar

bills so they could play the claw

machine something they almost never got

to do Max pointed to a tiny panda bear

with Shifty button eyes while Mia oogled

what could have been a koala or a badly

sewn spot

or APA asked extending a bit of playing

money to Ephraim too Efren wasn't

interested it wasn't that he didn't like

playing the game it was that a paw was

acting like this would be the last time

he'd see any of them like he knew

something he wasn't telling

after topping off the twins with plenty

of dessert up I'll drop them off with

Adela the lunch tiny lunch lady whose

duplex apartment doubled as the school's

unofficial daycare

she wasn't cheap but she was kind and

easy going and always wore a smile

all the kids love the kids loved being

around her but even her smile vanished

turned all awkward and uneasy when I

handed her his cousin Miguel's contact

information just in case

with the twins taken care of a Pomade

one final stop at the Arco station to

fill up the Chevy for the two-hour drive

down to San Diego Efren sank into the

passenger seat and waited inside the

truck feeling his stomach tightened as

the numbers on the gas pump gauge Rose

even with its huge gas tank the truck

didn't seem to take long to fill

upon got behind the wheel and looked

over at Efren as if giving him one last

chance to change his mind listo yep

Ready Efron forced to smile in spite of

what APA had told him over and over

again he really did not have a choice

going into Tijuana alone was something

he had to do for Amma for the entire

family this was the only plan they had

he needed to be brave for the next hour

or so a friend rested his hand to get

head against the passenger window

catching the occasional side of the Blue

Waters of the Pacific

his eyes followed the white silhouettes

of ships Out on the Ocean as well as the

foamy trail that followed them like tiny

snails Efron marveled at the thought

that there were people out there today

possibly entire families enjoying the

beautiful day he tried Imagining the

size of the boats wondering what it

might feel like to have an ocean breeze

hitting his face the slowing of traffic

caught akron's attention a pie is at a

toll no me ho that's the San Clemente

checkpoint don't worry it's closed right

now the border patrol opens it randomly

to catch people coming up from the

border but Efren shifted uncomfortably

what if it opens as we come back

a pop padded up front shoulder we slow

down and let them wave us through we'll

be fine promise that from the stomach

churned but all he could do was lean on

the door and let his face rest against a

sun warmed window that reminded him of

hot chocolate fresh freshest that I used

scalp massages from Amma Efren could

almost feel himself cuddling by her side

feeling her gentle fingers running

through his hair along with her firm but

Soothing Nails sweeping along his scalp

we're getting close mijo Efron shut his

eyes but stayed awake

he was nervous about crossing the border

alone scared about what could happen but

thinking about how Mom gave him the

courage he needed I've got to do this

I'm off for you this is pointing to the

large sign San Isidro last U.S exit

Efron sat up as a pot turned off the

highway and made a ride over the bridge

Efren watched the streams of people

strolling along the sidewalk most

carrying backpacks their ages as

different as the shades of their skin up

I had a red trolley caught his eye look

up ah it's like a toy from one of those

Thomas the Tank Engine table sets at the

stores only a pod didn't answer he had

other things on his mind mijo you have

the money right everyone patted the

small Satchel secretly Stat or stashed

secretly underneath his shirt yep

what about the pesos for the taxi

remember you want to fit in that friend

searched his front pocket check and and

my identification card and your

notarizing letter of permission to Efren

held up both items

pulled into a small parking lot I'm

sorry mijo it's not you I don't trust

don't worry I know the plan go through

the revolving doors follow the crowd

until I get to the other side take a

taxi down to Avenida revolucion ask for

the arrow Arco apoc corrected

simultaneously miming an arch with his

hands like the station where we gassed

up today it's huge you can't miss it now

for a knocked at his temples as if

forcing the information into his head

Arco Arco got it Ahmad will be waiting

next to it at the Taco Loco up on NADA

before stepping out of the truck and

leading Efron to a ramp heading toward

the Mexican entrance hasta Ki Diego I

can't get any closer

Efren nodded knowing that APA had gone

as far as he could I got this up uh of

course you do just remember act like you

belong and don't worry I will be here

when you get back

Efren walked up to a long concrete

Corridor decorated by curved metal

blades overhead he blessed himself took

a deep breath and followed closely

behind a middle-aged couple with three

young boys pretending to be their fourth

he went through the revolving doors and

before he could really figure out what

had happened he found himself at the

other side just like that Efron searched

his pockets clenched the taxi money in a

tight Fist and made his way down the

cement and walkway full of Street

vendors a few as young as Max and Mia

no matter how much it hurt to see or him

to see Efren knew he couldn't kind of

get distracted with other people's

problems he needed to stay focused

amai's waiting thinking of her helped

him Quicken his step Dr and masmarato a

man called to him Efron looked up he was

heading toward a row of taxi drivers all

on street clothes each vying for his

business great all his life he'd been

told to never get into a car with a

stranger now Not only was he doing

exactly that he was doing so in a

foreign world he didn't know Efren

surveyed the man pausing at the oldest

gentleman with the receding hairline he

was just about to approach him when the

man took a puff from his cigarette no

thanks Efren hated that ashy smell

suddenly a voice cried out yo little man

you need to lift well the voice itself

wasn't familiar the way the the man

spoke was it reminded Efren of Rafa back

in the neighborhood he turned in the man

still keeping a safe distance he wore

distressed baggy blue jeans and a beige

t-shirt that showed off his thick arms

he had a detailed tattoo of a baby girl

that curled around his neck and a

weathered face that somehow reminded

Papa

English really well Efron told the guy

yeah after 28 years in the U.S I'd

better he looked around a bit little man

you alone not sure of what he should say

Efren stayed quiet man this ain't no

place for a kid like you name's Eduardo

people call me Lalo come on I'll take

you wherever you need to go Efron

hesitated at first but knew he didn't

have much Choice can you take me to the

Arco on revolucion Avenue Lala went all

bug-eyed downtown you serious it's all

right I can handle myself nah man Lalo

said I ain't dropping off a kid there

you have to Efren didn't see any choice

but to admit I'm meeting my AMA there

she got deported the guy gave Efren a

quick look over ow chinata that changes

things all right little man you got it

Efren followed him to his car and gone

into the back seat only there was no

seatbelt to be found and it made him a

little uncomfortable so that Prince had

nervously you said you lived in the U.S

what are you doing here Lala laughed out

loud really loud it's not by choice

that's for sure I got myself deported

that's pretty much all there is to it

Efron looked around at the stains and

tears on the upholstery why don't you

find a koyote to get you back across

again he laughed little man you don't

just go back it ain't that easy

Efren studied the site of Lalo's neck

tattoo is that your daughter here with

you Efren could see the man crinkle his

forehead through the rearview mirror

little man you sure ask a lot of

questions and how you know I have me a

little girl your tattoo Efren said

pointing Lalo laughed looked a little

man I do what I can for her she knows I

love her if I didn't I'd have my lady

bring her over here so I could be with

her what do you mean it's simple I love

my girl want what's best for her look

around do you really think this is the

place to raise her nah she's way better

off in the U.S there she can make

something of herself be someone not like

her old man Efron went quiet and thought

about what he'd said I don't get what

makes Tijuana so bad Lotto finally

offered a genuine smile this place is

limbo man a place not quite Mexico not

quite the U.S La Tierra de los obidados

the land of the Forgotten you don't get

a name like that for nothing Efron tried

to distract himself by reading every

billboard he passed beer clubs women

that's mostly already saw advertised but

he simply couldn't get what Lalo had

said out of his head what if he was

right what if crossing over wasn't

really an option if Lalo cannot find a

way to be with his own little girl then

what chance did suddenly the entire city

felt even larger than before the cars

the people they were all moving so fast

that friend couldn't he couldn't let

himself finish the thought Lalo I gotta

pee Lalo cut across to busy Lane and

point besides

all right little man he said pointing up

ahead you're gonna you gonna cross

Benito Juarez Street and make a right

there's a McDonald's right there use the

restroom and then go across the

marketplace you'll find the Arco de la

Revolution up ahead you'll be safe as

long as you stay on the street be

careful

do not go anywhere else and don't talk

to no police they can be dangerous too

got it Efron nada I got it he stepped

out of the car and reached for the money

how much I owe you a lot of Scot No Way

Homes you go find your mom that's all

the payment I need all right all right

Lalo will do and just like that Lalo

pulled away in what was probably an

illegal U-turn Efron walked past an

empty shoe polish stand and smiled as he

set eyes on the two golden arches

overlooking the entire Street McDonald's

suddenly this place didn't feel as scary

anymore maybe Abba was wrong maybe it

wasn't as bad as he thought Efren padded

his shirt feeling for the hidden Satchel

underneath and maybe finding a ma was

going to be a lot easier than he thought

too