Almost a Woman

As Mami’s pregnancy progresses, she quits her job and has Esmeralda accompany her back to the welfare office. Esmeralda explains to the social worker that Mami and Francisco aren’t married, and that Mami and Papi were never married either. The social worker notes Esmeralda and her siblings are “illegitimate” (43). At home, Esmeralda looks up the word and realizes she and her siblings technically are bastards, which troubles her. A few months after little Franky is born, Francisco dies. Mami goes into deep mourning. Esmeralda resents her father for not fixing the family and making things right with Mami. At school, Mr. Barone congratulates Esmeralda on making it into the Performing Arts High School. Esmeralda tells Natalia, who is overcome with excitement. During class, Mr. Barone makes an announcement over the speaker and Esmeralda receives praise and congratulations from her teachers and many classmates. However, Esmeralda worries “that something good had at last happened to me, afraid that it was too good and that it would disappear before the day was over” (46).

At home, Mami gives Esmeralda a rare hug and congratulates her, though afterward, “Performing Arts was never mentioned in that apartment again” (47).