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

you to ride a bicycle before he got sick. Poverty is difficult, Diego, but it isn’t dirty. Forgetting is dirty.”

He quickly wiped his face.

“I know.”

“No,” she said gently. “You’re only beginning to know.”

Then she handed him a piece of dough.

“Make tortillas.”

“Mama, I don’t know how.”

“Exactly. Time you learned something useful.”

For the next hour, Diego continue reading …