Papa tells Esperanza that her grandfather is dead, then breaks down and cries. This shocks Esperanza, who has never seen him like this before. She knows that he will have to fly to Mexico for the funeral and that, because she is the oldest, she will have to ensure that her brothers and sister understand the situation and know that they have to be quiet. Esperanza thinks about what she would do if her father died, and she holds him in her arms.