HE TOOK HIS FIANCÉE TO HIS POOR HOMETOWN TO TEST HER—BUT THE PAPER SHE HANDED HIM LEFT HIM TOO ASHAMED TO MEET HER EYES

as though she expected that answer.

He stood awkwardly in the kitchen where he had once begged for sugar sprinkled on tortillas.

“Mama,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

Without looking up, Carmen continued kneading.

“For what?”

“For being ashamed.”

Her hands stopped.

His voice cracked. “For treating this house like it was something dirty. For asking you to make yourself continue reading …