The House of the Scorpion

Rosa shouts at Matt to wake up. She takes him to the bathroom and cleans him, cuts his hair, and dresses him in clean clothes. Rosa is to take him to the doctor and important members of the family. She threatens to kill him if he says anything about her or his treatment. Rosa takes him to the nicer part of the house, he takes in the polished floors, colorful walls, and gardens. They reach a big room with a luxurious carpet and a table with tea and cookies. Matt sees the elderly, frail man called El Patrón sitting in an armchair and Celia in the doorway. Celia tells El Patrón about Rosa and Tom’s horrific treatment of Matt. Though Rosa denies the accusation, El Patrón calls the doctor in. After examining Matt, the doctor concludes that Matt is malnourished and has an allergic reaction to the chicken litter. He denies knowledge of Matt’s situation and Rosa flails at him. El Patrón is amused as bodyguards take Rosa away. Matt likes El Patrón—his face seems oddly familiar. El Patrón calls Matt forward and admires how young he looks. He decides to call Matt mi vida (my life) just as Celia does.