Refugee Chapter 29

Summary

In this emotional chapter, Isabel and her family navigate the treacherous waters of the Caribbean in search of a new life in the United States. After enduring a violent storm, Isabel’s mother falls gravely ill, and the family faces an uncertain future. Upon reaching what they believe to be the shores of Florida, they discover they’ve landed in the Bahamas, where the law forbids their entry. Despite the setback, the family holds onto hope. A kind gesture from tourists offers them supplies, but they’re forced to turn back, still far from their dream of reaching the U.S.

Takeaways

• 😀 Isabel and the group are traveling across the Caribbean Sea in 1994, dealing with a storm and a sick family member.
• 😀 Isabel's mother becomes seriously ill during the journey, causing concern for her health and the group's future.
• 😀 The group encounters a moment of hope when they spot land on the horizon, but it turns out to be the Bahamas, not Florida.
• 😀 The Bahamian authorities prevent them from landing, explaining that they are not allowed to enter the country.
• 😀 The Bahamian officer allows Isabel's mother to come ashore for medical treatment due to her pregnancy, but the family will have to return to Cuba afterward.
• 😀 Isabel’s father, Lito, expresses his willingness to stay with his wife despite the risk of deportation back to Cuba.
• 😀 The tourists on the pier express sympathy, offering food and medical supplies to help the family while they prepare to leave.
• 😀 Isabel struggles with the idea of being separated from her family, unsure of who she will be with if her mother stays behind in Cuba.
• 😀 Isabel’s mother insists on staying with her family, despite her illness and the difficulty of the journey.
• 😀 The group leaves the Bahamas, further away from their destination of freedom in the U.S., but with more supplies than they had before.

Q & A

What significant event occurs at the beginning of the chapter?

At the beginning of the chapter, Isabel wakes up to a calm and peaceful scene in the Caribbean Sea, with a warm orange glow on the horizon and a silver sea stretching before them, suggesting that the storm they endured feels like a distant nightmare.

How does Isabel feel about her mother’s condition?

Isabel is deeply worried about her mother's health. Her mother is suffering from a fever that has worsened overnight, and Isabel is concerned that without proper medicine, her mother cannot recover.

What role do Lito and Senora Costello play in taking care of Isabel’s mother?

Lito and Senora Costello take care of Isabel's mother by trying to alleviate her fever, with Lito using a damp shirt to cool her down. They attempt to support her health during the journey.

What concerns does Isabel have about their future in the U.S.?

Isabel worries that the United States might not be the paradise that everyone hopes for. She is concerned about the political climate, potential gun violence, homelessness, and the health care system, which her teachers had warned about.

How does Ivan respond to Isabel's concerns about the future?

Ivan reassures Isabel, expressing that he is glad she came with them and that they can live next to each other forever. This gives Isabel a sense of comfort and hope amid the uncertainty.

What is the significance of the land they spot on the horizon?

The land they spot is not the United States but is a part of the Bahamas. They are initially excited, thinking they have reached Florida, but it turns out they are off course, and the land is not where they expected.

What happens when they approach the shore?

When they approach the shore, a group of tourists waves and points at them. However, their arrival is soon interrupted by a man in a white suit, who directs them further south, as the authorities in the Bahamas prevent them from landing.

Why are they not allowed to land in the Bahamas?

They are not allowed to land in the Bahamas because of immigration laws that forbid the entry of illegal aliens. The officer explains that if they set foot on Bahamian soil, they will be detained and sent back to Cuba.

What is the officer's response to the situation with Isabel’s mother?

The officer agrees to allow Isabel’s mother to receive medical attention on land due to her pregnancy and illness, but he stresses that once she recovers, they will have to be deported back to Cuba.

What difficult decision does Lito make in response to the situation?

Lito decides that he values his wife’s life over their dream of reaching the United States. He offers to stay behind with her in the Bahamas, but Isabel’s mother insists on staying with her family instead of returning to Cuba.

How do the tourists on the pier react to the situation?

The tourists on the pier react with concern and empathy, offering help by tossing water, food, and supplies to the refugees. One tourist even provides aspirin for Isabel's mother, showing kindness and support despite the difficult circumstances.

What is the emotional impact of the tourists' actions on Isabel?

Isabel is deeply moved by the kindness of the tourists, as their small gestures of compassion might make the difference between survival and death for her family. This act of humanity provides Isabel with some relief and gratitude in an otherwise hopeless situation.