The Red Umbrella

The next morning is very cold, and Lucia and Frankie go outside to collect eggs. Mrs. Baxter scrambles some eggs for breakfast. She gives Lucia a bottle of Tabasco sauce that she bought at the market, thinking Lucia might like it on her eggs. Though Lucia is confused by the sauce, she tries it anyway. Instantly, “her tongue was on fire” (212). She explains that they like spicy food in Mexico, but not in Cuba. Mr. Baxter compliments Mrs. Baxter on the food, saying “Good breakfast, Helen” (211). It is the first time Lucia has heard him speak.

After several days with the Baxters, Lucia feels exhausted from reminding Frankie to mind his manners. She worries they will be sent away if he misbehaves. While they are doing their chores, Frankie says he cannot help Lucia carry a large bag of feed because he is busy jumping in mud puddles. He tries to get her to play with him, but she refuses until she loses her grip on the bag and spills all the grain in the mud. In the process, Lucia gets covered in mud. At first Lucia is angry, so she hurls a handful of mud at her brother. He retaliates, and a mud-flinging war ensues until both kids are covered in mud and laughing.

Mrs. Baxter comes out on the porch, and they are sure they are going to get in trouble. Rather than yelling at the kids, Mrs. Baxter points a hose at them and playfully sprays them with water as they run around. Lucia and Frankie laugh and play like children for the first time in a long time. They change out of their wet clothes and help Mrs. Baxter peel potatoes before practicing their English. Mrs. Baxter reminds the kids that they need to be ready for school in September, and Lucia nearly says they will be leaving for Cuba by then before realizing that she does not know when they will return home.

Lucia puts on a sweater to gather eggs outside. She is tired, but she does not resent this chore because it allows her to stay with Frankie and help the Baxters. As she puts on her shoes, the phone rings. Lucia knows that “a call before sunrise could only mean one thing” (222): her call to her parents has come through. Lucia and Frankie get to speak to their parents for the first time since leaving Cuba. They tearfully exchange hellos and updates, but Lucia nudges Frankie to indicate that he should not say anything negative. Lucia asks if her parents know when she and Frankie will be able to come home. Mama responds, “not yet. Hopefully, soon” (226). After saying goodbye and hanging up the phone, Lucia feels “more alone than ever” (226).