Three Keys

The day after the march, another hate slogan appears painted on the Calivista walls. However, this bad news is quickly reversed by a call from Senator Feinstein offering support for Jose’s case. Hank immediately sees the media possibilities and begins contacting local radio and TV stations for more coverage, leaving Mia in a positive mood. She notes, “I looked around at all the love and hope and compassion in the room. The tide was turning, I could feel it” (188).

Mia gets the idea to write a letter to the editor of the Los Angeles Times condemning Proposition 187 and explaining the plight of Jose Garcia. Later, at school, Jason confronts Mia about why she kicked him out of the motel. She reminds him that his mother fired Lupe’s mother and that he didn’t stand up for his friend. Jason admits that what he did was wrong but is amazed that Lupe still remembers the slight. Mia thinks, “To Lupe, the memory was still very much alive. The wound had solidified, growing more powerful and pungent” (192). Jason feels that it’s too late to apologize, but Mia encourages him to try.