Patina

Patty sends a smiley face text to Ma to let her know that she is thinking of her while Ma gets her thrice-weekly dialysis. In addition to losing her legs, Ma’s kidneys no longer function due to complications from her diabetes. As a result, she needs to get her “blood cleaned” (82). These appointments take a lot of energy out of Ma, and on days she is not receiving dialysis, she requires rest to recover.

At school, Patty struggles with what to do at lunch time. Her daily routine involves circling around the room while eating “because when you keep moving, people think you going somewhere, like you on a mission and shouldn’t be bothered” (86). She is surprised when her Frida Kahlo project partner, Becca, asks her to join her table for lunch.

Patty’s history teacher, Ms. Lanford, informs the groups that they will need to work on the project outside of class. TeeTee and Taylor “basically beg” Becca to have them over to her house (93), as it is across the street from school. Becca explains that she has done some research on Google about Frida Kahlo, and the girls have a moment of connection while discussing Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s relationship.