Efren Divided Chapter 6 by Ernesto Cisneros Read aloud

Summary

In this heartfelt script, Efren's routine is upended when he's tasked with caring for his younger siblings, Max and Mia, in the absence of their mother. The story unfolds as Efren juggles school, household duties, and the emotional well-being of the twins, all while grappling with the truth about their mother's whereabouts. Amidst the challenges, Efren's resourcefulness and the bond between the siblings shine through, highlighting the resilience of a family facing adversity.

Takeaways

• 🛌 Efren cherishes Saturday mornings for the extra sleep and special breakfast.
• 📚 Saturdays are also a time for Efren to catch up on his studies and enjoy leisurely reading.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 This particular weekend, Efren is working overtime to keep Max and Mia busy, likely due to their mother's absence.
• 👶 Max is resistant to getting dressed and requires Efren's creative persuasion to cooperate.
• 🏫 Efren is late for school on Monday, facing consequences from Mr. Garrett, the school authority.
• 🤔 Efren is struggling to balance his responsibilities at home and school due to his mother's absence.
• 🗣️ Efren is hesitant to share the truth about his family's situation with his teacher, Mr. Garrett.
• 🏠 There's a sense of community and familiarity in Efren's neighborhood, with various blocks representing different socioeconomic statuses.
• 👩‍🏫 Miss Solomon, a caring figure from Efren's past, is unaware of the family's current predicament.
• 🍴 Efren is resourceful, managing to feed himself and his siblings on a tight budget.
• 🤝 Efren makes a pinky promise to Mia and Max, indicating his commitment to their mother's return.

Q & A

What makes Saturday mornings special for Efren?

Saturday mornings are special for Efren because he can sleep in a bit longer, expect a freshly baked bolillo loaf, and spend time in his study or bathtub without interruptions.

How does Efren's weekend differ from the usual?

Efren's weekend is different because he spends every moment ensuring Max and Mia stay busy so they won't miss their mother, involving lots of activities like horsey rides, playing on swing sets, and coloring.

Why is getting Max dressed proving difficult for Efren on Monday morning?

Getting Max dressed is difficult because Max is resisting and playing tricks, such as putting his arms through the pant legs instead of the waist, making the process more challenging for Efren.

What does Efren promise Max to convince him to get dressed?

Efren promises Max a horsey ride all the way to school if he gets dressed.

Why does Efren allow Max and Mia to go to school in their pajamas?

Efren allows Max and Mia to go to school in their pajamas because he is more concerned about their emotional state and keeping them happy than adhering to school dress codes.

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

Efren is late to school because he had to deal with Max's resistance to getting dressed and preparing for school.

Why does Efren choose to mark his tardiness as 'unexcused'?

Efren marks his tardiness as 'unexcused' because he believes that Mr. Garrett would not accept his real reasons and that the truth about his family's situation is something he cannot reveal.

What is the consequence of Efren's second infraction of being late to school?

The consequence of Efren's second infraction is that he receives detention after school.

Why can't Efren stay for detention after school?

Efren cannot stay for detention because he is responsible for picking up Max and Mia, and there is no one else available to do so.

What does Efren do to stretch his money while buying food from Don Popatillo's food truck?

Efren buys carne asada tacos, which are a good bargain because they come with double tortillas, allowing him to turn each taco into two servings, thus feeding himself and the twins with minimal cost.

How does Efren handle the twins' questions about their mother's absence?

Efren lies to the twins, telling them that their mother is with their sick sister Tia Martha and will be back soon, in order to protect them from the truth and keep them calm.

Outlines

00:00

🛌 Struggling Morning Routine

Efren's usual Saturday morning routine is disrupted as he has to keep his siblings, Max and Mia, busy to distract them from missing their mother. The weekend is filled with activities to prevent the twins from realizing their mother's absence. On Monday, Efren faces the challenge of getting Max ready for school, which includes a playful negotiation to wear Superman pajamas. Despite the efforts, they arrive late to school, and Efren receives a detention for being tardy. He is unable to share the truth about their mother's absence with the school authorities due to concerns about their family's legal status.

05:02

🏫 School and the Reality of Absence

Efren navigates his school day with the weight of his mother's absence, trying to maintain normalcy for his siblings. He encounters Miss Solomon, who is unaware of the family's situation, and Efren feels conflicted about lying to her. The narrative explores the emotional turmoil Efren experiences as he struggles to balance his responsibilities as a brother and a student. He also faces the practical challenge of feeding Max and Mia with limited resources, using his budgeting skills to stretch a small amount of money to buy food from Don Popatillo's food truck. The paragraph ends with the promise to his siblings that their mother will return soon, despite the uncertainty of the situation.

Keywords

💡Saturday mornings

Saturday mornings are depicted as a cherished time for the character Efren, allowing him to enjoy a bit of extra sleep and a warm, freshly baked bolillo loaf. This setting establishes a contrast to the usual routine, highlighting the importance of leisure time and family traditions within the narrative.

💡bolillo loaf

A bolillo loaf is a type of bread that is significant in the script as it represents a comforting morning ritual for Efren. It is a tangible symbol of home and normalcy, which is disrupted when the family's routine is thrown off by unforeseen circumstances.

💡overtime

The term 'overtime' is used to describe the additional work that Efren has to put in to take care of his siblings, Max and Mia, in the absence of their mother. It signifies the extra burden and responsibility that falls on him, changing the dynamics of his daily life.

💡Max and Mia

Max and Mia are the younger siblings of Efren. They are central to the story as their care and well-being become Efren's primary concern when their mother is absent. Their presence underscores the theme of family bonds and the challenges of growing up too quickly.

💡Amma

Amma, which is a term of endearment for 'mother' in some cultures, is a key figure in the script whose absence deeply affects the family. Her absence is the catalyst for the events and emotional struggles faced by Efren and his siblings.

💡detention

Detention is a punishment imposed on Efren for being late to school, which is a direct consequence of the challenges he faces in taking care of his siblings. It symbolizes the conflict between his responsibilities at home and his obligations at school.

💡legal status

The script alludes to the family's legal status as a source of tension and secrecy. Efren's parents are undocumented, which adds a layer of complexity to their situation and influences Efren's actions and decisions, such as his reluctance to share the truth about his mother's absence.

💡lateness

Efren's tardiness to school is a recurring issue in the script, reflecting the difficulties he faces in managing his responsibilities at home. It serves as a metaphor for the broader challenges of balancing personal life with societal expectations.

💡frijolitos with queso

Frijolitos with queso represents a specific cultural food item that Mia requests, indicating a longing for the comfort of home and the presence of their mother. It is a symbol of their cultural identity and the emotional connection to their mother's care.

💡pinky swear

The pinky swear is a gesture of promise and trust between Efren and his siblings, used to reassure them of their mother's return. It is a poignant moment that captures the essence of their bond and the lengths Efren will go to protect their innocence.

💡Don Popatillo's food truck

Don Popatillo's food truck is a place where Efren manages to feed his siblings and himself on a tight budget. It represents resourcefulness and the practical challenges of providing for a family with limited means.

Highlights

Efren cherishes Saturday mornings for the extra sleep and special breakfast.

Efren's weekend is different, as he works overtime to keep Max and Mia busy and distracted from missing their mother.

Max resists getting dressed for school, causing a challenge for Efren.

Efren tries to motivate Max to get dressed by offering a horsey ride to school.

Efren compromises and allows Max to wear his Superman pajamas to school.

Mia also wants to wear pajamas to school, and Efren agrees, showing his leniency in the situation.

Efren is late for school and receives a detention, adding to his stress.

Efren struggles with the responsibility of taking care of Max and Mia without their mother.

Efren lies to Miss Solomon about his mother's whereabouts to keep their family's situation private.

Efren is concerned about how long he can keep the truth from Max and Mia about their mother.

Efren has to budget carefully to feed Max, Mia, and himself, stretching his money to save for their mother's return.

Efren manages to feed the twins and himself with a frugal meal from Don Popatillo's food truck.

Mia questions Efren's truthfulness about their mother's return, and he reassures her with a pinky swear.

Efren creatively turns three carne asada tacos into six meals for the family.

Max and Mia are emotionally affected by their mother's absence, showing the impact on the family.

Efren feels the pressure of keeping the family together and the uncertainty of their future.

Transcripts

chapter six Saturday mornings had always

been special for Efren it was a day he

could sleep in just a tiny bit longer a

day he could expect a steaming Boulevard

freshly baked bolillo loaf waiting for

him when he awoke then he could go into

his study which doubled as the bathtub

hurry through any homework he had and

stay until he finished a whole book or

until Max or Mia needed to go potty

whichever came first

however this entire weekend went

differently with about working overtime

every single moment was spent making

sure Max and Mia stayed busy enough that

they wouldn't have to have time to miss

Amma it was something that required a

lot from Afrin a lot of horsey rides

around the apartment a lot of time

pushing the twins back and forth on the

school swing sets a lot of coloring a

lot of time hiding and seeking a lot of

everything so when Monday morning

finally came around Efren didn't

complain in fact he looked forward to

the rest unfortunately Monday morning

didn't exactly work out that way

Max was having a rough time making the

simple job of getting him dressed much

much more difficult

come on Max you don't want to go to

school in your underwear do you Max

crawling out from under his blankets

causing a sigh of relief from his big

brother okay better Efren held up the

pint size the pair of pint-sized pants

for him to step into only Max's plans

were different he threaded his pudgy

arms through the pants and pant legs

until his hands peeked out from the

other side no says by yaso please put

them on right now Max pulled his arm out

only to stick his head in their place

Efren took a deep breath and massaged

the sides of his forehead he glanced

over at the empty mattress beside him

trying to figure out what a ma would do

that friend looked straight into Max's

penny-like eyes how about this if you

get dressed I promise to give you a

horsey ride all the way to school max

shook his head no how about a crooked

grin sprouted on efren's face I let you

wear your Superman pajamas to school max

nodded it wouldn't be the first time Max

went to school in pajamas Miss Solomon

would understand Mia tugged to that

friend's shirt what about me can I go in

pajamas too Efron bent down to look at

her sure why not having Max and Mia show

up to school in PJs was the least of his

worries four days without Amman already

ephron's world was starting to fall

apart by the time we reached School the

late Bell had already rung he hoped to

see someone else even a teacher walking

in late as well but the campus hallways

were empty even David had apparently

made it to class on time

the second after I entered the school

Miss Mr Garrett turned his bushy

eyebrows shot up in disbelief Mr Nava

you're late Efren lowered his head and

signed the tardy cut board nailed to the

wall he'd seen Mr Garrett belittle

everyone who'd ever tried justifying

being late he excuses Mr Garrett would

say are like armpits we all have them

and they stink so under the section of

the form labeled reason Efren decided he

was better off scribbling in the word

unexcused it felt like the whole class

set up paying sharp attention when Mr

Garrett approached the center of the

room Mr Nava this makes two infractions

in a row is there something I should

know Efron tried lifting his head and

making eye contact like a ma had taught

him to do with grown-ups but the best he

could do was shake his head besides

Efren thought it won't make a difference

well then Mr Nava why don't you take a

seat and don't forget the second

infraction now means you have detention

after school after school there was no

way there was nobody else to pick up Max

or Mia Dona China had been scheduled to

return to Guatemala that morning some

emergency with their parents have

friends did Frozen by the tardy

clipboard wondering how much if any of

the truth he should tell Mr Garrett

after all he was a teacher and according

to APA teachers who could never know

about the family's legal status Efren

remembered upon telling him about the

time the state voters passed a law that

would have forced all teachers even nice

ones like Miss Solomon to report any

undocumented kids to the authorities

of course held a grudge saying that even

though the courts erased the law the

masses had spoken and revealed exactly

how they felt so even though Efron was a

U.S citizen his parents were not and he

could not say a word about that Mr Nava

is something wrong did you misplace your

seat no sir I I was just never mind and

just like that Mr Garrett launched into

a drawn out explanation of how direct

quotes were going to empower everyone's

essay arguments later as the next bell

rang he reminded the class that

paraphrasing would be coming next but

Efron barely listened it wasn't like him

to disobey a teacher but what could he

do he couldn't stay after school and he

couldn't tell the truth that friend

missed the old days back when his

neighborhood block made up his entire

world back when all he worried about was

whether to play it safe with a game of

marbles or a brave a match of chicken

fights along the monkey bars it was all

he thought about most of the day

in seventh period Mrs Flora as the

science teacher had the entire class

performing virtual dissections on worms

Efren rushed through the lesson on

account of Max and Mia and when school

finally let out it was him lead in the

Stream of kids off campus more and more

of them broke off into different

neighborhoods with each block they

passed those who veered off first lived

in the fancy floral block or Floral Park

block those who were slightly less

well-locked disappeared into Washington

Street and a square and so forth so

forth was where Efren headed right into

Highland Street where apartment

buildings and fruit trees made up most

of the neighborhood reaching his block

he cut into the elementary school's

parking lot there in the middle of the

kindergarten Courtyard stood Miss

Solomon blowing her whistle at cars

blocking the entrance Efren she caught

him over he walked into a big hug hi

Miss Solomon have you seen Max and Mia

over by the benches I had a bit of

trouble with him today where is your oh

my goodness did your mom get at the job

Efren crinkled his face job Miss Solomon

held up her hand at a car yes the other

day she told me she was going to Irvine

for a job interview at a new company

that makes high-end women's clothing

said it was for a supervisor's position

efren's mind raced that must have been

where am I got picked up as much as it

bothered him to lie to miss Solomon he

didn't have a choice yes she started

today says her boss is nice and that the

pay is really good this Solomon Paws

making that friend nervous he couldn't

help but wonder if she might be reading

his face after all she'd known him since

he was in her kindergarten class well

tell her I am glad Oh and about Max and

Mia they seem a bit emotional especially

Max efren's mind went into a panic

fearful of saying the wrong thing he

simply Shrugged instead well maybe it

was just an off day she said waving

another car through and be sure to thank

your mom for her mole recipe tell her

that the dinner was a real success

thanks to her

sure thing Mrs Miss Solomon with that he

walked over to the play area and took a

seat on the on a bench Watching Max push

me on a swing before leaping onto her

lap Mia didn't seem to mind one bit

sometimes insufferable always

Inseparable like Miss Solomon would joke

a friend couldn't imagine telling them

about what had happened to Amma but how

long could he keep the truth from them

he looked over at the clock hanging over

the bathrooms three o'clock he'd have to

start thinking about what to feed them

he headed over to join Max and Mia just

as he started pushing them back and

forth on the swings of a thought crossed

his mind if Amma isn't able to come back

home does that mean we might have to go

to her will we be forced to leave too

Efren felt a tug at his side I'm hungry

it was Max right on schedule yeah me too

called out Mia all the running around

made the twins hungry

now more than ever after needed to

stretch his money every dollar saved

meant a step closer to getting a mom

back fortunately Don popatillo's food

truck was a real bargain but he'd have

to be careful not everything there was

cheap he thought about the menu

crunching numbers in his head carne

asada tacos were definitely the best

bargain they were small but came with

double tortillas Efren could take half

the meat and turn each Taco into two a

Milagro of his own maximia how about

Street some tacos

Max Shrugged he was easy ate just about

anything placed in front of him it was

MIA whoever needed to worry about so Mia

Taco is okay no I want some of amas

frijolitos with queso this very mention

of their mother said Max off when is

Amma coming back soon Ephron said answer

that friend soon

Mia said digging her finger into efren's

belly you said she'd be back yesterday

you lied Mia was right he had lied worse

he would have to look at the twins in

the eye and and do it again

the truth is that her sister Tia Martha

got sick Amma is with her making sure

she gets better Mia rested her hands on

her hips and squinted epinephrine how do

we know it's not a lie Efren held out

his pinky finger Mia smiled and looked

her or hooked her finger around his what

about me Max asked holding up a chubby

finger of his own Efren offered his

other pinky I swear our mom will be back

soon with that Effron stop by Don

tapatio's food truck and fed the twins

in himself using only six dollars he

turned three carne Asana tacos into six

and still managed to provide me other

side of beans and cheese she wanted if

only he could find a way of getting a

mom back home