Becoming Naomi Leon

Santiago León steps out of the shadows, and the children and their father have a tearful reunion. They talk about what has happened since they were last together. The children tell Santiago all about Skyla’s return and how they have been trying to find him since they arrived in Mexico. Santiago tells them about his life in Puerto Escondido where he takes tourists out to fish. He tells the children that his boat’s name is Soledad. The children think he named it after the saint. Santiago explains that he named his children after the saint, “but my boat was named for [my children]” (215).

Before they head off to bed, Naomi gives Santiago the lion that she carved for the contest. Saddened, Santiago laments that he’s broken a 100-year family tradition by not showing up in time this year. Fabiola contradicts him by saying that Naomi carved the lion he holds in his hands. Santiago swells with pride and joy that his daughter has made something so beautiful. As they go to sleep, Naomi reflects that “a waterfall of happiness has drowned out [her] nagging worries, at least for now” (217).

The children get to spend Christmas with their father. On Christmas Day, they wake up to find that he has decorated the jacaranda tree with carved figures that he’s tied to the tree with fishing line. The children lay beneath the tree with their father and delight in the colorful figures dancing in the wind.

Later, Santiago shares carving wisdom with Naomi as they sit and carve figures together. He explains to Naomi that his process is like hers: He looks at the piece of wood he’s carving and imagines what’s inside. Santiago explains that he doesn’t try to control a carving’s outcome if he makes a mistake. Santiago gives Naomi a carving that has a lion’s body and a girl’s head. Naomi thinks this one looks a little like her.

Gram interrupts them with a little bit of sad news. Mrs. Maloney has had her interview with the court-appointed mediator. The mediator told Mrs. Maloney that they all need to complete interviews by January 3, which means the children only have two more days with their father. Naomi worries about the court date and wishes that she could stay. Santiago explains that he’s written a letter of support stating that “[his] wishes are for [Naomi] and Owen to live with María” (222). He apologizes to Naomi for not fighting for them when they were younger, but he is happy to fight for them now.

Two days later, Santiago cuts down the carvings so the children can take all of them home. During their tearful goodbye, Santiago encourages Naomi to be brave and have faith that everything will work out. Still, on the way home, Naomi can’t help but feel overwhelming sadness.

When they return, Gram and the Outlaw children complete their interviews with a mediator who asks the children questions about what kind of food they eat, how many baths they take, and whether they ever had head lice. As they head to court, Naomi worries that she may not have answered correctly.

The Outlaws arrive early for court, and Skyla and Clive arrive “at the last minute” (228). Gram sarcastically remarks that they look like “the all-American couple” (229). Skyla has dyed her hair light brown and put on a skirt and sweater set, pearls, and minimal makeup. Clive wears his hair cut short, with a button-down shirt and slacks. Skyla greets the children warmly, which makes Naomi feel resentful and angry.

The judge hears all the evidence, including reading the letter from the children’s father. Once she’s ready to rule, the judge gives the children a chance to speak for themselves. When she calls Naomi up to the stand, she explains that she does not like to separate children from their natural-born parents, which is the thing that the Outlaws have feared all along. The judge explains this to Naomi then asks her if there’s any reason she should not go to live with her mother.

Nervous at first, Naomi thinks about all she’s been through the past several weeks. Remembering her father’s words, she finds the courage speaks up. Naomi tells the judge everything she knows about Skyla and Santiago, including the most recent events from Skyla’s return. In her testimony, the judge learns that Skyla doesn’t want Owen, so she rules against Skyla, revoking any custody rights Skyla has to the children. Gram is awarded full custody and the judge welcomes Skyla to arrange supervised visitation for the future. Skyla and Clive walk out of the courtroom after the ruling.

Back at school, Naomi’s friends and teachers greet her warmly. When Naomi goes to lunch in the library with Mr. Marble, she volunteers information about her trip to Mexico and shows the students her carvings. Mr. Marble offers to display them in his large display case for the entire school to see, which thrills Naomi. And the end of the day, Blanca remarks to Naomi that her voice is louder since she’s returned from Mexico.

The novel ends with an epilogue written in Naomi’s reflective voice, mimicking a journal entry. She reflects on the things that have changed and what has stayed the same since Skyla visited. Naomi has promised her father that she’ll visit Oaxaca every year to continue the family tradition of carving at La Noche de los Rábanos. The novel closes with her reflecting that she was becoming “becoming who [she] was meant to be, the Naomi Soledad León Outlaw of [her] wildest dreams” (246).