Clap When You Land: Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

Yahaira has never been afraid of flying, but on this flight, she keeps her eyes closed the entire time. Her heart drops when the plane touches down, but then the passengers applaud. In Spanish, the lady next to Yahaira says that this doesn’t happen as often now; the passengers must be mostly Dominican people returning home, as it’s tradition to thank God by clapping when you land. Yahaira smiles.

Yahaira has flown domestically, but never internationally. She observes the bilingual signage, fills out her customs form, and pays for her tourist visa. The customs agent’s eyes soften when Yahaira says she’s here for Papi’s funeral. Then, Yahaira walks through the doors. She’s here—and so is Camino.

Camino touches Yahaira’s cheek and says she looks just like Papi. This is true—but Camino also looks just like him. The girls aren’t really mirrors of each other, but Yahaira still almost wants to slap Camino for having the same face. Yahaira feels guilty knowing that Papi left Camino for Yahaira every year; she wonders what Papi saw when he looked at Camino. Yahaira notices that Camino’s eyes fill with tears but don’t overflow. Once more, Camino says that Yahaira looks like Papi. Camino can hide her feelings better than Yahaira. Yahaira knows Camino can sense her anger bottled up inside, so she forces herself to become “blank-faced” like when she played chess. In response, Yahaira says they both look like Papi, but Camino must’ve gotten her skin color from her mother. At this, Camino steps back and looks suddenly hard.

Camino grabs Yahaira’s duffel and leads her outside into the crowd, toward a man leaning against a shabby car. The man’s smile, Yahaira knows, would’ve bothered Papi—he looks like trouble. So, Yahaira says she’s happy to pay more for an official taxi. She does so, and an older man with a nice smile puts Yahaira’s duffel in the trunk and opens the door for the girls. Yahaira tries to ask Camino in Spanish about the scenery, but Camino smirks and responds in English. Her English is impeccable; she must’ve worked hard. Spanish is Yahaira’s first language, but she doesn’t speak it nearly as well. It already feels like Yahaira is losing her sister.

The cab stops in front of an aqua house with a fenced front porch. Yahaira quickly pays the driver, hoping that will make Camino feel better—but Camino hops out of the car, clearly offended. Yahaira can’t imagine Papi living in this house. He loved luxuries, and this is a “barrio house.” It’s dirty here, and stray dogs roam the street. Papi would’ve hated getting his shoes dirty. The old woman in the garden straightens up and drops her herbs. Cursing, she asks Camino what she’s done. Tía Solana embraces Yahaira, her eyes wet, and asks where Mami is. Camino shrugs. After giving Camino a dark look, Tía leads Yahaira inside and serves her sancocho. She tells Yahaira to tell her everything, after she eats “what your sister made for you.”

Yahaira helps Camino pick herbs for tea, which reminds her of Dre. Vira Lata asks to enter the yard, and Yahaira asks if the dog follows Camino everywhere. She doesn’t mention how much Papi resisted getting a dog. Camino explains that Vira Lata doesn’t go far from here; he’s afraid of the busy street, and she and Don Mateo look out for him. However, Yahaira notices Vira Lata perk up when Camino looks like she’ll turn left. Camino says he likes coming to the beach with her. Just then, Yahaira notices a man watching Camino. He looks like he’d like to be Camino’s dog—and bite her. But before Yahaira can point him out, he disappears.

That evening, the phone rings. As Yahaira and Tía sit on the couch like they’ve been friends forever, Camino answers the phone in a testy voice. Zoila sounds exactly how Camino imagined she would: demanding and fake. Camino passes the phone to Yahaira, and Zoila immediately begins yelling at her daughter. Tía comforts Yahaira, but Camino is angry. Yahaira has everything: a mother,  choices, food, and Camino is certain nobody ever forgets her birthday. Tía has probably forgotten Camino’s in a few days. Camino reminds herself that she’s being unfairly bitter, but she feels out of control, like she’s careening toward “something bigger & madder.”

Fifty-One Days After. Mami is enraged and is coming to the Dominican Republic tomorrow. She went to the Johnsons’ house, and Dre eventually told her the truth. Yahaira is surprised Dre didn’t call Mami immediately. Despite Mami’s anger, Yahaira is relieved. Nobody can force her to go home. She’ll be here for at least the next three days. She has three days to figure out Camino, Papi, and herself.

Yahaira and Camino discuss ghosts. Though Yahaira doesn’t believe in them, Camino insists there are spirits everywhere—but maybe not in New York City. They wonder whether Papi’s ghost will live here or in New York City. Camino thinks his ghost will live wherever they want him to. She insists that Papi’s ghost, of all ghosts, can live in two places at once—he had enough practice when he was alive.

Fifty-Two Days After. Yahaira has been waiting for Mami for a full day. She’s been getting to know Tía (who insists Yahaira call her Tía), and she knows Camino is watching her. Nothing here is familiar. Neighbors keep visiting to hug Camino and talk about Papi. The Dominican Republic is like Yahaira imagined it—and not. The shouts of the fruit seller wake Yahaira up, and pink and green salamanders run on the walls outside. Everything is so colorful. Yahaira takes pictures and sends them to Dre. She can’t imagine growing up here—or how Papi kept going back and forth.

Tía suggests that Camino take Yahaira to the beach, and Yahaira pretends not to notice that Camino acts like someone hit her. Camino quietly explains to Yahaira that there’s a guy who hangs out there, so it’s not safe to go. This is the first time Yahaira has seen Camino look uncertain. Figuring this is just another “disrespectful dude[],” Yahaira says she knows the type. But Camino recoils and says that Yahaira knows nothing. As Camino stalks away, Yahaira wonders where her sister learned to judge people.

Camino knows she was too hard on Yahaira, but what right does Yahaira have to show up out of nowhere and pretend they have a lot in common? Yahaira has no idea what El Cero is like or what it means to give up your dreams. Right now, it seems like everyone but Camino knows she won’t be a doctor. She’ll just be a girl who helps her aunt with herbs, and that’ll be her life. Becoming a doctor has only ever been a dream, and now, Camino is waking up. But Yahaira will never have to wake up.

Mami pulls up to the house in a little Prius. Yahaira had no idea Mami even had a license. Yahaira tries not to grab Camino for protection as Mami races out of the car and runs to pull Yahaira into a hug. Camino doesn’t move at all as Mami steps back and kisses Tía. Yahaira realizes that Mami must know Tía—she was Mamá’s friend, after all. Then, Mami looks at Camino. It’s clear that Mami is studying how much like Papi and Yahaira Camino looks. Taking a deep breath, Mami kisses near Camino’s cheek and says that though they don’t know each other, she’d like Camino to know that Papi loved her a lot.

While Mami and Tía sit inside, Yahaira sits outside on the porch with Camino. Camino has been smoking a cigar, and she passes it to Yahaira. Yahaira immediately begins coughing and choking as she inhales. Camino, laughing, rubs Yahaira’s back and tells her to breathe. Suddenly, Yahaira can hear Papi saying the same thing; she starts wailing and sobbing. Camino continues to rub Yahaira’s back. Camino’s eyes look teary too, but Yahaira could be imagining it.

Camino has never been an older sister. She never even cuddled or named the chickens growing up, so the feeling of needing to comfort Yahaira is odd. Camino knows nothing about comforting people, but she seems to know enough because Yahaira melts into Camino and keeps sobbing. Oddly, Camino doesn’t even want to smack her for ruining this nice blouse with tears.

Fifty-Three Days After. The next day, Camino leads Yahaira on a long walk to the river. Yahaira thinks about how Papi split his love between his two daughters and gave each of them something he loved. Camino swims like she’s a dolphin, and for a moment, Yahaira wants to say that she’d beat Camino at chess. But that’s petty, and it’s nice to see Camino almost happy—swimming seems like stress relief for her. Chess was also very stressful for Yahaira. Yahaira reminds herself that she and Camino aren’t enemies, but it’s hard to believe it.

Fifty-Four Days After. The wake for Papi in New York is tiny compared to what Tía and Camino have planned. Mami looks disapproving as drummers show up, followed by dozens and dozens of people. They all process down the street. Camino and Yahaira walk arm in arm. Yahaira doesn’t recognize the music, but she’s sure Papi would’ve loved this. At the grave, Yahaira watches the casket sink into the ground. Mami heaves, while Tía rocks. Camino holds Yahaira’s hand. They don’t let go. Dirt covers the casket, making the ground whole again. But it’s not the same.

Soon after, Tía begins the novena, the nine days of prayer. Mami just sits in a corner, crying silently. Yahaira is sure it’s difficult for her to be here, with all the painful memories she must have. It’s hard not to feel guilty for making her come, but it’s also hard for Yahaira to see Mami flinch at all the reminders of the other life Papi led. People come from everywhere to pray, eat, and help Papi’s spirit get to heaven. This makes Yahaira wonder where Papi’s spirit has been, if they’re only officially praying for him now. Has he been watching his family struggle for weeks?

Once the prayer is over, guests—all except Mami—eat. Mami sits by the window, staring into space. Camino approaches, but she doesn’t know what to say to this woman who probably wishes Camino didn’t even exist. Suddenly, Mami turns and stares at Camino. Awkwardly, Camino says that she noticed Mami rubbing her chest, and Yahaira has mentioned that Mami has lost weight. At this, Mami’s eyes flick to Yahaira. Not wanting to look like she’s sucking up—Camino is genuinely concerned for Mami, who’s clearly hurting—Camino says that it’s clear Mami is really stressed. She offers Mami a plate of food and suggests that she try to take deep breaths and sleep tonight.

Surprisingly, Mami accepts the plate from Camino and even smiles. She says that Papi always said Camino would make a great doctor. He talked about her attending Columbia, where she’d be close; they live near the school. Camino is shocked to hear that Papi felt this way about her future. Mami, too, seems surprised at herself for saying any of this. Camino hurries away, not wanting to ruin the moment. She hopes this becomes a happy memory for Mami.

That night, Yahaira tells Camino to stop smoking the cigars and asks where Camino even gets them. Camino explains that Tía uses the cigars in ceremonies. When Yahaira acts confused, Camino asks if Yahaira never wondered about all the jewelry Papi wore. Yahaira explains that Papi only wore a ring. The girls observe that Papi was like two different men, splitting himself in half and keeping a toe in each country.

Guests don’t leave until after 11 p.m. Mami grumbles about sleeping in a house Papi shared with another woman, but she won’t leave Yahaira, and Yahaira refused to go to a hotel. Now, Camino and Yahaira are on the patio, observing the gathering storm. Tía approaches, hugs Camino, and says it’s sad that Camino spent her birthday like this. Yahaira is shocked and asks why they’d plan a burial on Camino’s birthday, but Camino just shrugs. Yahaira feels awful for not having a gift for her sister. She digs through her suitcase, looking for anything she can give as a gift. She only has some hair products, her travel documents, and some of Papi’s papers, but none of those things is a good gift.

It’s almost midnight. Soon, Camino’s birthday will be over—and it will no longer be Papi’s burial day. Yahaira is clearly worried that soon, the girls will need to mourn their relationship too. Sometimes, Camino remembers that Yahaira is the only person who feels the way she does. But Yahaira is also part of the problem. Mami has barely looked at Camino all day, so Camino knows she’ll have to carry out her plan. Today, she’s 17. Yahaira heads to bed; Mami and Tía are already asleep. Mami has looked lost and confused all day. Earlier, she reminded Yahaira that they’re both going home in three days. Camino thinks about how Papi left Yahaira money. He left Mami with a real marriage license. They’ll both leave soon, and trying to forgive Papi is exhausting.

Sensing that Camino wants to be alone, Yahaira goes inside and stops at the altar. She doesn’t know much about the Saints; she’s just heard rumors about killing chickens and voodoo. Camino has called it something else and insisted that praying and sacrifices are important to building relationships with the Saints. The Saints, according to Camino, open doors for people. There’s a small plate of food on the altar. Yahaira can’t imagine Papi praying here, but she remembers how Papi carried a silver coin. An identical one is on the altar. He talked about San Anthony—and there’s a statue of the Saint by the door. Papi hid his spirituality, but Yahaira could’ve noticed it if she’d paid attention. She picks up Papi’s photo and finds the money taped to the back. Does Camino intend to survive off of this?

Moonlight shines through the storm clouds and illuminates Yahaira’s beautiful face. She’s almost Camino’s twin. Camino feels gutted, but when she’s sure Yahaira’s asleep, she rummages through her sister’s duffel bag. She finds Papi and Mamá’s marriage certificate at the bottom, dated after both girls were born. Yahaira’s family, Camino realizes, has always come first. Camino’s has always been secondary. She rips up the certificate. Papi kept so many secrets and promised so much. He never did anything. His papers won’t help, and his regrets won’t pay the bills. Camino finds what she’s looking for and leaves.

Yahaira wakes up alone, certain something is wrong. It’s raining outside and on the floor is the torn-up marriage certificate. It had been at the bottom of Yahaira’s bag. Suddenly, Yahaira realizes she doesn’t know Camino at all. If Camino were anyone else, Yahaira would know how to help. Yahaira doesn’t know how to help, but she knows that if she were Camino, she wouldn’t have been looking for the marriage certificate.

Camino leaves the house silently, trying not to cry. She’s known for a while now that it would end this way. There’s a note for Tía on the altar. It’s still the middle of the night, so it’s too early to begin the four-mile walk. Vira Lata whines as Camino decides there’s one last place she must visit before she leaves. Camino isn’t dressed for travel; she’ll attract attention at the airport without luggage or a guardian. All she has is money and “the gift Yahaira does not know she’s given to [Camino].” Camino will have to bribe someone to buy her ticket, and someone else to pretend to be a parent. She’ll explain that her parents are dead and hope it works.

Camino isn’t dressed for the beach, but she has to come here to the place that has always welcomed her. She and Mamá used to stand here, and Mamá would tell Camino to wave at Papi. They’d have picnics here and dance to the music coming from the resort. Soon, Camino is crying. By dawn Camino will have to stop, but now, she sobs and says goodbye to Mamá and to the Dominican Republic. It starts to rain.

The branches rustle. How does El Cero always know where Camino is? As he steps onto the beach, he says that Yahaira looks like Camino, but she’s clearly American. He’d like to meet her. Camino steps back as Vira Lata growls. She’s shaking, but she tries to tell herself it’s the rain and not that El Cero’s threat to Yahaira that’s making her shake. Camino knows that she looks like a helpless girl. Her only “key to freedom” is in her purse: money, and Yahaira’s passport.

Camino left money at home for Tía and Carline with a note. She can barely hear El Cero asking her something, and she doesn’t want him to know how much money she has—but perhaps she can fix things. She offers to pay him what Papi owed, half tonight and half tomorrow. Camino doesn’t want to make him angry. El Cero says that this might work, but Papi owed him $2,000—and he doesn’t believe Camino has that kind of money. Shaking, Camino tries to count out the right amount and shoves the bills at El Cero. She begins to edge around El Cero, but he grabs Camino’s sleeve. He asks if Camino is meeting someone here and if she has more money, and then he yanks her purse from her.

El Cero pulls out Yahaira’s passport and the envelope of money—Camino’s future. He scolds Camino for trying to run away without paying a debt and holds the items above his head, like this is just a game. Vira Lata races away, barking, as thunder sounds. Suddenly enraged, Camino says that El Cero is a monster. Emily must be spinning in her grave. Lightning illuminates El Cero’s face, which is twisted in anger. He grabs Camino’s blouse, curses her, tells her to never say Emily’s name. He shoves Camino, causing her to twist her ankle and fall, and puts the money and passport in his back pocket.

Thunder rumbles as Yahaira picks up the pieces of the marriage certificate. She knows Camino isn’t here, but she’s not sure what she’s supposed to do. Camino is supposed to be happily celebrating her birthday, not alone and angry somewhere. Yahaira goes to the altar and asks Papi to help them both, “For once.” She notices a new envelope with Tía’s name on it, just as Vira Lata begins barking outside like he’s being attacked. The dog is alone, though. Yahaira is sure Camino needs help. As she turns to grab her phone, she runs into a lamp. The noise wakes Mami and Tía, who rush out of their bedroom. Tía is pale and asks where Camino is.

The earth seems to spin as El Cero chases Camino through the mud and into the trees. Camino wants to leave her body as she hears El Cero laugh and kneel beside her. She feels sick and tries to push him away, but all she can do is cry for help.

Yahaira helps Tía sit down and then admits she sent Camino money a few days ago. Mami gasps, and Yahaira asks if Camino would’ve gone to the capital. Tía says there’s no family there. Feeling like she’s betraying Camino, Yahaira admits that her passport is missing. Mami leaps up and says that Camino is headed for the airport, but Tía says it doesn’t open for hours—and Camino is too smart to try to walk at this time of night. She suggests Camino is with Carline, but Yahaira notes that Camino tries hard to protect Carline; she wouldn’t have made Carline complicit. Then, they all hear Vira Lata whine. Tía and Yahaira lock eyes: they know where Camino went.

Yahaira leaps out of the car before Mami even stops it. She races for the water, but she hears a moan. Camino is on the ground, trying to fight off El Cero kneeling over her. Yahaira is glad she’s taller and thicker than her sister as she rushes El Cero and knocks him down. As Yahaira crouches over Camino, whose shirt is ripped open, Camino clings to her. El Cero tells Yahaira to mind her own business, but Yahaira makes fists like Papi taught her and tells him to leave Camino alone. Just as El Cero charges, headlights illuminate the beach. 

Tía leaps into the clearing with her machete. El Cero steps back, trying to look innocent. Yahaira knows he’ll lie to protect himself. Tía prays as she stands by Yahaira, and Yahaira helps Camino up. The girls cling to each other. Mami steps out of the car with only her cell phone, but she walks like the military general’s daughter she is. She stares El Cero in the eye and tells him that Camino doesn’t exist for him anymore. Tía prays louder, and though Yahaira doesn’t know the words, somehow she does. It feels like Tía has silenced everything but the wind, which rips at El Cero. Yahaira knows that Tía is a bishop, Mami is a knight, the girls are queens, and that Papi did in fact “build that castle.” They will all protect Camino.

Camino flinches when El Cero reaches for his back pocket, but Mami says that El Cero doesn’t want to mess with her—her family will find him. Camino tells El Cero to give her back what he took. When Tía hisses, El Cero throws a packet onto the ground. Yahaira picks it up, not entirely sure how they convinced him to back down. They stand there, shaking, until El Cero turns away. Mami looks suddenly relieved as she waves Yahaira and Camino toward the car. Tía, though, watches El Cero walk away, and Yahaira’s afraid she’ll chase him. But she winks at Yahaira and says that everyone gets what they deserve.

Camino clings to the person who came to rescue her, noticing bright blue lights behind the person. She can hear the wind humming, telling her to breathe. “they are here / to take [her].” Camino realizes Yahaira rescued her as Tía and her machete step forward. Tía is calling the Saints, and all these women are here to take Camino back home.

Back home, Yahaira helps Camino out of her top and tries to help her out of her jeans, but this makes Camino sob even harder. Yahaira takes off Camino’s shoes, helps her sit, and then gets a towel to wipe the mud off her feet. When Camino vomits, Tía says she’s in shock—they don’t know how long Camino tried to get away. Tía makes a cup of tea and helps Camino sip. Not knowing what else to do, Yahaira climbs into bed next to her sister and holds her close, so Camino knows she’s safe.

Camino dreams that Yahaira is a strangler fig wrapped around her body. She wants to tell Yahaira that she’s sorry, but before she can, Camino is dreaming that Tía’s face is close. Tía puts her hand on Camino’s cheek. Then, Camino dreams that Papi is sitting on the bed, his head in his hands. He’s not supposed to be here; is he actually gone? When Camino wakes up the last time in sunlight, Yahaira is holding her close and is making her sweat. Camino wants to pull away, but she also wants to “bury in the safety.” Hearing Tía’s steps slow, Camino knows Tía knows she’s awake. Camino squints at the pile of wet clothes in the corner, but the pile is actually Mami, dozing.

Fifty-Five Days After. In the morning, Yahaira finds Mami drinking coffee in front of the Saints. Yahaira says that Camino has to come back with them because it’s best for Camino, not because it’s what Papi wanted. They all need this to happen. Mami says nothing. When she finishes her coffee, she drives away. Yahaira wishes she’d gotten to say more, such as that maybe a bad husband can be a good parent. Maybe Papi tried his best. He hurt Mami and there’s no excuse, but he’s not here anymore. It’s just Mami, Yahaira, and Camino now.

Soon after, Camino stumbles in; she looks terrible. Yahaira knows that Camino’s pride keeps her going. Camino told no one about the tuition bills or El Cero’s stalking. She’s been keeping quiet about it all, not realizing that her silence was poisoning her. Yahaira doesn’t know what comes next, but she knows she’s not leaving without Camino.

Around midday, Mami gets back. Camino is ready for a lecture about how she stole and is unworthy. She hopes Mami says these things so she can say angry things back. But Mami only sits silently next to Camino in a rocking chair. She’s really a beautiful woman. Finally, Mami says that Camino needed a mother—and she couldn’t bring herself to be Camino’s mother. She was friends with Mamá, and she expected to look at Camino and see betrayal. She was just trying to protect herself.

Mami passes Camino a folder. The top sheet confirms an emergency visa appointment in three days. Mami explains that Camino will come home with her and Yahaira. Camino can’t stay here, as El Cero will come back angrier than ever and it’s not safe. Tía agrees, and it’s what Papi wanted. Mami reveals that she scheduled Camino an interview for later in August anyway, but she  was able arrange an earlier appointment. Camino is finally getting what she wanted—but her “realized dream” tastes bittersweet.

Camino wonders if anyone wants to leave home, where fresh fruit drops in the backyard and neighbors who wiped your nose when you were younger are everywhere. Will it help to pretend that this is temporary and that one day, she can return? Will Camino ever be able to hold Luciano before he’s big? There aren’t palm trees in New York, and nobody there knew Camino as a baby or helped her when she scraped her knees. This place is her home, though it has “bad & ugly” parts. Now, Camino wishes she could stay.

Camino joins Tía on her neighborhood rounds. Though they haven’t seen El Cero in days, they keep an eye out for him. Their last stop is the old woman with cancer, and Camino is afraid of what they’ll find in her home. Tía pulls a key out when they get there and explains that a neighborhood boy installed a lock and gave the woman’s helpers keys. The woman is safer now. Things are neater inside; the woman has clean sheets and a vase of fresh flowers. Camino touches the woman’s forehead and then her stomach—the lump is smaller. Camino shakes her head, confused, but Tía just squeezes her hand.

That night, Carline comes over with a birthday gift for Camino. Camino introduces her to Mami. Then, Carline says Luciano is breathing better, and he’s even started crying. Nobody says “miracle,” but Camino is certain that Tía worked a miracle and Carline has been nurturing it. An idea occurs to Camino. Tía won’t leave her home, but she’ll need a new apprentice when Camino is gone. Carline’s house is so full, while this one is mostly empty. Carline could be Tía’s apprentice, and Nelson would be a huge help. Tía also loves babies and feeding people. Camino decides to suggest it to Tía tomorrow, and the Saints whisper to Camino that she’s doing the right thing.

Mami takes Camino to get a health report, a copy of her birth certificate, and a copy of Mami and Papi’s marriage certificate, which proves she’s Camino’s legal stepmother. They spend hours in the car together while Yahaira naps or helps Tía at home. Zoila and Camino don’t speak much, but Zoila turns up the radio when Camino hums with a song, and Camino fans Zoila in the clinic waiting room. These family ties are awkward, but they’re figuring it out. Yahaira helps where she can.

Camino puts on her graduation dress—which is also her “priest meeting dress”—for her visa interview. The dress seems lucky and unlucky, a dress for beginnings and endings. Zoila stays in the room while her cousin asks Camino questions. Camino explains she wants to study premed at Columbia. The cousin says it’ll take a few days to process the visa, but he winks at Zoila.

Every day, Mami and Camino go out. Yahaira refuses to go with them; she wants them to learn to be with each other. She spends the days in Tía’s garden, thinking of Dre. Carline comes over twice, once with Luciano. When Yahaira strokes his cheek, he stares at her. Carline gasps and explains that she’s been afraid he won’t make it. Privately, Yahaira is certain Luciano is a “warrior” and will live. One morning, Yahaira walks to the beach. She feels like someone is watching her, but she walks to the water anyway. Her toes in the water, she can see Papi as a boy, running and diving. She pretends the water is Papi, apologizing and welcoming her home. Yahaira forgives Papi.

The night after Camino’s visa interview, Yahaira says there’s someone she wants Camino to meet. Camino knows this person must be in the U.S., so she politely says she’s happy to meet Yahaira’s friends when they get there. Firmly, Yahaira says this is her girlfriend, Dre. Camino knows Yahaira expects her to condemn her for being gay, but Camino just says that they should video chat. Immediately, Yahaira pulls out her phone and calls Dre. A dark-skinned girl appears on screen, grinning at Yahaira. Yahaira turns the phone a bit, and it surprises Camino to see her own face pressed up against her sister’s.

Suddenly nervous, Camino realizes that if Dre doesn’t like her, Yahaira might not love her either. So, she greets Dre, and Dre greets her in perfect Spanish. Then, Dre abruptly starts walking and climbs through a window. Camino can hear cars and yelling people, and then Dre flips her camera so it points at green buds in a planter. Dre says that Yahaira told her about Tía, so she thought an herb garden would help Camino feel at home. Tears spring to Camino’s eyes. In a fake whisper, Camino asks Yahaira where she found Dre, and if there’s a clone for her to marry.

Fifty-Nine Days After. On the night before Yahaira, Camino, and Mami leave the Dominican Republic, they sit around the table with Tía. Vira Lata sits by Tía; he hasn’t left her side since that night. Mami suggests that they resume the counseling sessions when they get home. Yahaira knows Mami is scared of how huge their grief is—big enough to cause Yahaira to disobey, Mami to forget herself, and Camino to seek out danger. Tía says little, but she wipes Camino’s mouth and passes Yahaira food as though she’s been feeding Yahaira her whole life.

Sixty Days After. Tía doesn’t cry at the airport, but Camino can’t stop sobbing. As usual, Tía is like a mountain: she’ll always be here if Camino decides to return. Before they part, Tía touches the beads around her neck and then Camino’s chest. Camino knows that Tia is saying that she’s always with Camino, and the Saints are, too. Tía watches Camino go through security, but Camino stops. How can she leave this woman who is her home? But Tía, as though she senses Camino’s thoughts, shoos Camino forward. Camino blows her aunt a kiss, whispers blessings, and imagines dividing her heart so Tía can keep a piece. She knows Tía is doing the same thing.

As the plane takes off, Yahaira grabs Camino’s hand. Camino’s eyes are shut tight and she’s mouthing prayers. The girls hold hands until the pilot tells them the beverage service will start soon. Camino looks down at the water below the plane, and Yahaira says that people might clap when they land. Yahaira imagines that clapping is like giving thanks. This could end so many ways. But it won’t end with Camino and Yahaira in the sky or the water. It’ll end with them together, safe on solid ground.