Family Lore

Pastora begins her morning routine at the clothing store where she works, remembering when younger generations dressed up as gangsters in her neighborhood. Despite not being part of a gang, Ant was jumped and given the opportunity to take revenge through local gangsters Pipilolos Fuerte (PLF). As a result, when a 14-year-old boy spoke ill of PLF, Ant and other members cornered him. The situation got out of hand, as the other members beat the boy into a coma while Ant watched in horror. The others ran away when police came, and Ant was arrested. He was convicted and first sent to juvenile jail, then adult prison.

After ending her call with Ona, Flor worries whether or not she made the right decision to hold a living wake, as it seems to be imposing on everyone else. She reflects on Ona’s assessment that she doesn’t recognize the need for healthy boundaries. In the past, when she was young and alone at home, her cousin Nazario came to see Papá Susano. Flor invited him inside, where they talked while she prepared coffee. They discussed her older brother Samuel, who departed for New York and threw away his chance for a green card to marry his girlfriend.