Efren Divide Chapter 4 by Ernesto Cisneros read aloud

Summary

In this chapter, Efron is awakened by his father, who prepares to leave for work early and entrusts him with taking care of his siblings. Efron is given a task to buy dinner ingredients from the trokita with a 20-dollar bill, and is warned against using soda as a bribe for his brother Max. Despite the challenges, he bravely accepts the responsibility. Later, he creatively makes a breakfast of 'donut Critters' from biscuits for Max and Mia, despite a mishap where one falls on the floor, showing his resilience and care for his family.

Takeaways

• 😴 Efron wakes up to his father gently waking him, indicating he had fallen asleep recently.
• 👕 Efron's father is dressed for work and has made arrangements for Efron and his siblings' care.
• 📦 Donia Chana, a neighbor, is unable to help with childcare due to a Tupperware shipment pickup.
• 👕👦👧 Efron assures his father he can manage getting his siblings ready and to school himself.
• 💰 The father provides Efron with money to buy food for dinner, specifically from 'trokita' and advises against soda.
• 🚫 Efron hides the money in his waistband, showing a sense of responsibility and caution.
• 🌐 The father mentions a potential 'coyote' to help someone cross the border, indicating a risky and urgent situation.
• 💸 The family is financially strained but hopeful, as a friend is lending money to help with the 'coyote' fees.
• 🍳 Efron faces the challenge of preparing breakfast with limited ingredients, reflecting his mother's values on healthy eating.
• 🍩 Efron attempts to make 'donut Critters' from biscuit dough, showcasing his creativity and effort to provide a treat.
• 🔥 There is a cooking mishap with the dough, highlighting the risks and Efron's inexperience in the kitchen.

Q & A

What did Efren's father do when he woke Efren up?

Efren's father told him that he was leaving for work early and had arranged for Donia Chana to possibly take Efren and his siblings to school and look after them afterward.

Why couldn't Donia Chana take Efren and his siblings to school?

Donia Chana couldn't take them because she had a Tupperware shipment to pick up in La.

How does Efren plan to handle taking care of his siblings?

Efren plans to get them dressed, fed, and take them to school himself, and he mentions that he can bribe Max with food if needed.

What does Efren's father give him and for what purpose?

Efren's father gives him a 20-dollar bill to go to the trokita and pick up some food for dinner.

What instruction does Efren's father give regarding the use of the 20-dollar bill?

Efren's father instructs him not to bribe Max with soda because it will keep him awake at night.

What is the plan for getting someone across the border?

Efren's father mentions a friend who knows a person working as a coyote, who might be able to help someone cross the border soon if the money can be wired in time.

How does Efren feel about the situation with the money for the coyote?

Efren is worried, as indicated by his tightly closed mouth, and he asks if they have enough money.

What does Efren's father suggest Efren do after their conversation?

Efren's father suggests that Efren should get some more sleep and mentions that he has set an alarm for him.

What is the challenge Efren faces in the kitchen regarding breakfast?

Efren faces the challenge of making a nutritious breakfast with limited ingredients: one egg, a strip of ham, pickles, a packet of biscuits, and a small amount of milk.

How does Efren attempt to make breakfast for Max and Mia?

Efren tries to make a creative breakfast by shaping the pre-made biscuit dough into animal figures and frying them in oil, attempting to make 'donut Critters'.

What happens when Efren first tries to fry the biscuit dough?

When Efren first tries to fry the biscuit dough, it cooks too fast, splashes oil, and the doughy critter falls off the pan onto the kitchen floor, causing Max and Mia to shriek.