Efren Divided chapter 16 by Ernesto Cisneros read aloud

Summary

In this heartfelt narrative, Efren and his siblings eagerly await their mother's return after a long absence. Despite late-night exhaustion and humble living conditions, they prepare a warm welcome, including a visit to church and gathering community support. However, as the day unfolds, the anticipation turns to worry as delays and an ominous phone call cast a shadow over their joyous reunion.

Takeaways

• 🏡 Efren returns home late and needs to pick up the twins from Adela's apartment across the street.
• 💸 Adela refuses payment for babysitting, only wanting Efren's mom to return safely.
• 🛋️ Max and Mia fall asleep watching TV, and Efren carries them across the street to their home.
• 😴 Efren is too exhausted to undress and sleeps on the mattress with his siblings.
• 🌙 Efren and his friend discuss attending church the next day to give thanks for their mom's safe return.
• 👕 Efren and his family prepare for church, with Efren fixing Max's pants with a Velcro kit.
• 📞 A phone call confirms that their mom has had a car crash but is on her way home to San Diego.
• 🎉 The family celebrates the news of their mom's return, with friends and neighbors bringing food to welcome her.
• 🌹 Efren, Max, and Mia pick roses and buy balloons to decorate for their mom's arrival.
• 🚗 Traffic delays the mom's arrival, causing anxiety and disappointment among the family and guests.
• 📞 A final phone call brings bad news, leaving the family and friends disheartened.

Q & A

Why was Efren glad to reach home late at night?

Efren was glad to reach home late at night because he was exhausted and all he wanted was to get some rest.

What did Efren need to do before resting?

Before resting, Efren needed to stop by Adela's apartment across the street to pick up the twins.

Why did Efren and his friend decide to go to mass the next day?

Efren and his friend decided to go to mass the next day to give thanks for their mother's safe return.

How did Efren and his siblings prepare for their mother's return?

Efren and his siblings prepared for their mother's return by cleaning the kitchen, picking roses, buying balloons, and gathering food from neighbors.

What was the significance of the phone call that Efren answered?

The phone call that Efren answered was significant because it brought the news that their mother had crashed in San Diego and was on her way home.

How did the family react to the news of their mother's return?

The family reacted with joy and excitement to the news of their mother's return. They woke up, prepared themselves, and started celebrating.

Why did Efren use a velcro kit to fix Max's pants?

Efren used a velcro kit to fix Max's pants because they were too tight and he couldn't move the button or sew in more fabric to make them fit better.

What did the neighbors bring to the apartment for the welcoming party?

The neighbors brought various dishes such as fried taquitos, tostadas, elotes, mole, enchiladas, and carrot cake to the apartment for the welcoming party.

Why did Efren and his friend feel that their clothes barely fit and their living conditions were poor?

Efren and his friend felt that their clothes barely fit and their living conditions were poor because they were living in a small apartment with limited resources, and their clothes were worn out and ill-fitting.

What was the emotional atmosphere in the apartment as the time for their mother's return passed?

The emotional atmosphere in the apartment became anxious and somber as the time for their mother's return passed without her arrival, and the guests started to leave.

What was the final piece of news that Efren's father received, and how did it affect him?

The final piece of news that Efren's father received was that something bad had happened, which caused his face to fall, his shoulders to sink, and his eyes to close, indicating deep disappointment or sadness.