Each Tiny Spark

At home, Emilia’s dad is asleep, and she surprises him by hugging him and throwing flowers at him. Toni is upset, and Emilia remembers the rules for her dad: Don’t act dead, don’t scream, don’t make sudden noises, and never surprise him. Emilia apologizes, and Toni apologizes for losing his temper. A few years ago, Emilia sent him flowers made of construction paper, and Toni tells her he carried one of the flowers on his daily patrols.

Abuela comes home and scolds Emilia over her dirty clothes. Toni leaves, and Emilia runs up to her room and calls her mom. Sue lights candles to bring her daughter good spirits, but Emilia doesn’t feel them or her Cuban heritage. Her mom says there are numerous ways to be Cuban.

Emilia and her mom discuss immigration laws. Abuela and Sue are citizens, but she’s unsure about Don Carlos. Sue encourages Emilia to talk to Toni, and Emilia thinks about how her parents are like best friends. They watch comedy specials together and go on dates where they eat chili dogs at Jimmy’s Diner.

Abuela, Toni, and Emilia eat out at Delucci’s, and Toni is quiet and looks nervously around the restaurant.