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.

Outlines

00:00

😴 Saturday Mornings and the Challenge of Childcare

The first paragraph introduces the protagonist, Efren, and his usual Saturday routine of enjoying a late morning with a special breakfast and leisurely reading before attending to his homework. However, the recent weekend was disrupted by his father working overtime, forcing Efren to keep his siblings, Max and Mia, occupied to distract them from missing their mother, Alma. The narrative describes the exhausting efforts Efren puts into entertaining the twins, from horsey rides to playing hide and seek. The paragraph concludes with the difficulties Efren faces on Monday morning, including Max's resistance to getting dressed and Efren's resulting tardiness to school.

05:00

🏫 School and the Struggles of Secrecy

In the second paragraph, Efren's struggles continue as he faces the consequences of being late to school without a valid excuse. The narrative delves into Efren's internal conflict about his family's legal status and the potential risks of disclosure. Despite being a U.S. citizen, his parents' undocumented status complicates matters. The paragraph also explores Efren's nostalgia for simpler times and his current predicament of having to lie to adults, including his teachers, to protect his family. The narrative concludes with Efren's encounter with Miss Solomon, where he must further navigate the complexities of maintaining the secret about his mother's absence.

10:01

🍔 Budgeting for Meals and the Promise of Alma's Return

The third paragraph focuses on Efren's efforts to manage his limited resources to provide for his siblings. It details his frugal meal planning at Don Tapatio's food truck, where he creatively stretches his budget to feed all three of them with minimal spending. The narrative also highlights the emotional toll on the twins as they question when their mother will return. Efren, feeling the pressure, reassures them with a pinky promise, a gesture that signifies his commitment to the truth. The paragraph ends with a poignant moment where Efren contemplates the possibility of having to leave to retrieve Alma, reflecting the gravity of the situation his family is facing.

Keywords

💡Efren

Efren is the main character in the video script who is taking care of his younger siblings, Max and Mia, in the absence of their mother, Alma. He is depicted as a responsible and caring older brother who is also struggling with the situation. His name is used throughout the script to illustrate his role and the challenges he faces.

💡Max and Mia

Max and Mia are the younger siblings of Efren. They are central to the story as their mother's absence and Efren's efforts to care for them drive the narrative. Their names are repeatedly mentioned to highlight their dependence on Efren and the emotional toll the situation has on them.

💡Alma

Alma is the mother of Efren, Max, and Mia, who is absent from the story due to an unspecified reason. Her absence is a key element of the narrative, causing Efren to take on the responsibility of caring for his siblings. Her name is used to represent the missing parental figure and the emotional impact of her absence on the family.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility is a core theme in the video, demonstrated by Efren's actions as he takes care of his siblings in Alma's absence. It is defined by the duties and obligations one has towards others, especially in the context of family. In the script, Efren's responsibility is shown through his efforts to keep Max and Mia busy, fed, and emotionally stable.

💡Detention

Detention is a form of punishment used by Mr. Garrett, a teacher in the script, for Efren's tardiness. It represents a conflict for Efren, as he cannot afford to stay late due to his responsibilities at home. The term 'detention' is used to illustrate the external pressures and rules that complicate Efren's situation.

💡Financial Strain

Financial strain is a concept that is evident in the script when Efren has to carefully manage his money to feed himself and his siblings. It is defined as the difficulty in managing financial resources to meet needs and wants. In the context of the video, Efren's financial strain is highlighted when he has to stretch his money to buy food from Don Tapatio's food truck.

💡Legal Status

Legal status is an important and sensitive aspect of the script, alluding to Efren's family being undocumented. This term refers to the recognized status of a person under the laws of a particular country, and it affects the family's ability to live and work openly. The script implies this through Efren's internal thoughts about not being able to disclose his family's situation to authorities or even to teachers.

💡Emotional Impact

The emotional impact of Alma's absence is a significant theme in the video. It is defined as the effect that a situation has on a person's emotions. The script shows this through the behavior of Max and Mia, who are upset and confused by their mother's absence, and Efren's struggle to comfort them while dealing with his own feelings.

💡Lies and Truth

The concept of lies and truth is central to the narrative as Efren tries to shield Max and Mia from the reality of their mother's situation. Lying in this context is portrayed as a protective measure, while the truth represents the reality that Efren fears he must eventually confront. This is evident in the script when Efren tells the twins that Alma is away because their aunt is sick.

💡Cultural Food

Cultural food, represented by the mention of 'Frijoles with queso' and the mole recipe, is a subtle element in the script that speaks to the family's cultural background. It is defined as the traditional food of a particular culture or geographical region. In the video, cultural food serves as a reminder of Alma's presence and the family's shared heritage.

💡Sibling Bond

The sibling bond between Efren, Max, and Mia is a key theme in the script. It is defined as the close emotional connection between brothers and sisters. The narrative emphasizes this bond through the interactions and mutual support among the siblings, especially as they face their mother's absence together.

Highlights

Efren's Saturdays were special, as he could sleep in, enjoy a steaming bowl of arroz con leche and a freshly baked boyo loaf.

Efren spent the weekend trying to keep Max and Mia busy so they wouldn't miss their mother Alma.

On Monday, Max was having a hard time getting dressed, making Efren's morning more difficult.

Efren promised Max a horsey ride to school if he got dressed, but Max refused.

Efren let Max wear his Superman pajamas to school, and Mia also wore her pajamas.

Efren was late to school and received detention, but couldn't tell the truth about why he couldn't stay after.

Efren worried about how long he could keep the truth about Alma from Max and Mia.

Miss Solomon told Efren that Alma had started a new job, which is when she was actually picked up.

Efren lied to Miss Solomon, saying Alma started her new job and things were going well.

Max and Mia were emotional, especially Max, and Efren didn't know what to say to comfort them.

Efren was on a tight budget and had to stretch his money to feed himself and the twins.

Efren managed to feed them tacos, beans and cheese for just $6 at Don Tapatio's food truck.

Mia questioned if Efren was lying about Alma coming back, but he reassured her with a pinky swear.

Efren was unsure if they would have to leave and go find Alma if she couldn't come back.

Efren longed for the simpler days when his only worries were playing games and hanging out with friends.

Efren struggled to keep up with schoolwork while taking care of Max and Mia.

Efren was late to school again and received his second infraction, resulting in detention.

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 bowl of

a rose con leche and a freshly baked

boyo loaf waiting for him when he awoke

then he could go into his study which

doubled as the bathroom 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 oppa working overtime

every single moment was spent making

sure Max and Mia stayed busy enough that

they wouldn't have time to miss Alma

it was something that required a lot

from Efren

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 on Monday morning finally came around

Efron 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 Maxie you don't want to go to

school in your underwear do you

Max crawled out from under his blankets

causing a sigh of relief from his big

brother

okay better

Efron held the pair of pint-sized pants

for him to step into

only Max's plans were different he

threaded his pudgy arms through the pant

leg until his hands peeked out from the

other side

no CS payaso please put them on right

now

Max pulled the arms out only to stick

his head in their place

Efron took a deep breath and massaged

the side of his forehead he glanced over

at the empty mattress beside him trying

to figure out what Alma would do

Efren 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 at efren's shirt what about

me can I go in pajamas too

Efren 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 Alma an already

efren's world was starting to fall apart

by the time he reached School the late

belt 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 Effron entered the room Mr

Garrett turned his bushy eyebrows shot

up in disbelief

Mr Nava you're late

Efren lowered his head and sighed the

tardy clipper clipper

clipboard nailed to the wall he'd seen

Mr Garrett belittle everyone who'd ever

tried justifying being late excuses Mr

Garrett would say are like armpits we

all have them and they all stink

so under the section of the form labeled

reason Efron decided he was better off

scribbling in the word unexcused

it felt like the whole class sat 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 Alma had taught him to

do with grown-ups but the best he could

do was shake his head

besides Efron thought it won't make a

difference

well then Mr Nava why don't you take a

seat and don't forget the second in

fraction now means you have detention

after school

after school there was no way there was

nobody else to pick up Max or Mia

Donna Chana

had been scheduled to return to

Guatemala that morning some emergency

with her parents

Efren stood 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 Oppa teachers could never know about

the family's legal status

Efron remembered oppa telling him about

the time the state voters passed a law

that would have forced all teachers even

nice ones like Mrs Sullivan to report

any undocumented kids to the authorities

oppa of course held a grudge

saying that even through the courts

erased the law 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 Efren 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

Efron 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 Brave a match of chicken

fights along the monkey bars

it was all he thought about most of the

day

in seventh period Mrs Flores the science

teacher had the entire class performing

visual dissections on worms

virtual dissections on worms Efron

rushed through the lesson on account of

Max and Mia and when school finally let

out it was him leading the stream of

kids off campus more and more of them

broke into different neighborhoods with

each block they passed those who veered

off first lived in the fancy Floral Park

block

those who were slightly less well-off

disappeared into Washington Square and

so forth

so forth was where Efron headed right

into Highland Street where apartment

buildings and fruit trees make 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 called 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 them today

where is your oh my god did your mom get

the job

Efren crinkled his face job

Miss Solomon had her held her hand up 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 position

efren's mind raced that must have been

when Alma 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 the pay is really good

Miss Solomon paused making ephra 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 so glad Oh and about

Max and Mia they seem a bit emotional

especially Max

efren's mind went into 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 Miss Solomon

with that he walked over to the play

area and took a seat on a bench Watching

Max push Mia on a swing before leaping

into her lap

it didn't seem to mind one bit

sometimes insufferable always

Inseparable like Miss Solomon would joke

Efren couldn't imagine telling them

about what had happened to Alma 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 a thought

crossed his mind

if Alma isn't able to come back home

does that mean we might have to go get

her

go we might have to go to her will we be

forced to leave too

Efren felt a tug on his side

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 Efren needed to

stretch his money

every dollar saved meant a step closer

to getting Alma back fortunately Don

tapatio'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

Maxi Mia how about some tacos Max

shrubbed he was easy ate just about

anything placed in front of him it was

MIA who ephra needed to worry about

so MIA Taco's okay

no I want some of Alma's Frijoles with

queso this very mention of their mother

Set Max off when is Alma coming back

soon answered Efren soon

you're a mentoriso Mia said digging her

fingers into efren's Bellow you said

she'd be back yesterday you lied

Mia was right he had lied worse he would

have to look the twins in the eye and do

it again

the truth 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 hip and

squinted up at Efren how do we know it's

not a lie

Efren held out his pinky finger Mia

smiled and hooked her finger around his

what about me Max asked holding up a

chubby finger of his own

Efron offered his other pinky I swear

Alma will be back soon

with that Efren stopped by Dawn

tapatio's Food Truck and fed the Twins

and himself using only six dollars

he turned three carne asada tacos into

six and still managed to provide Mia the

side of beans and cheese she wanted

if only he could find a way of getting

Amma back home

[Music]