Chapter 1
The novel opens with Laetitia travelling in a car with her father from Sooklal Trace to La Puerta. The conversation is largely driven by her father, who attempts to engage her. However, through Laetitia’s first-person narration, readers quickly perceive cracks in his “nice guy” image. For instance, he refuses to offer Miss Adlyn a ride to La Puerta, which suggests selfishness, and he only reappears in Laetitia’s life two days after her exam results were published in the newspaper.
Pass to Secondary School:
Laetitia becomes the first in her family to pass the Common Entrance Examination. This is a remarkable achievement, emphasized by her name being published in the local newspaper, symbolizing pride and hope for her family.
Chapter 2
This chapter provides background to Chapter 1, particularly the decision about Laetitia living with her father. Until her exam success, he had been largely absent, though financially stable as a factory supervisor with a home, car, and wife (Vilma). His support had been minimal, limited to the occasional dollar for a snowcone when Laetitia encountered him in La Puerta.
Now, however, after boasting to his boss and colleagues about his daughter’s achievement and receiving their congratulations, he wishes to take responsibility for her schooling. When he approaches Laetitia’s family to request that she move to La Puerta, Ma resists, believing him to be unconscientious. She insists that the decision will only be made after Laetitia’s mother is informed.
Chapter 3
The backstory continues as Pappy, Laetitia’s grandfather, gives a speech suggesting that the father’s interest in his daughter might reflect an effort to change from being an absentee parent.
We are then presented with part of a letter from Mammy Patsy, Laetitia’s mother, who works in New York as a hospital cleaner. Although she wants her children (Ruth, Kenwyn, and Laetitia) to receive a good education, she feels New York is unsuitable for raising them. Despite her financial struggles, she continues to support them by sending barrels of supplies.
This chapter also contrasts Laetitia’s father with Kenneth (Ruth and Kenwyn’s father). Kenneth, though financially poor, provides emotional wealth in the form of love and support, making him the opposite of Laetitia’s more materialistic father.