Olga Dies Dreaming

This chapter is a letter from Olga’s mother, Blanca, from almost 30 years prior.

Blanca hates having to miss her daughter’s 13th birthday, but “[t]here is work in the world that I’ve been called to do” (25). Blanca remembers being 13—at that age she already knew that Black and brown people were treated as lesser. She believes that Olga will notice everything with her watchful eyes. Blanca along with  Olga’s father have always tried to show their children that their ancestors were resilient, hardworking people, whose traits, like curly hair or dark skin, are beautiful, no matter what others say. Blanca promises that the sacrifice Olga is making in not having her mother around is an important part of Puerto Rico’s liberation.

The morning after she sleeps with Matteo, Olga wonders how quickly she can get him to leave. She doesn’t dislike Matteo, but her last relationship ended 15 years prior, and she feels awkward. Entering the kitchen, Matteo sees the news and makes disparaging remarks about the ambition of the congressman on the screen. Olga reveals that this is her brother, Prieto. After an awkward, but light-hearted, conversation, Olga gets in the shower, where she starts worrying that Matteo will see the pictures on her desk, particularly the photo of her parents on the day of a protest.