45 pages • 1 hour read
In the Midst of Winter
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Chapters 19-21Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 19 Summary
When Pablo died, Anita became inconsolable and her mental health deteriorated. Anita’s family took her to see Maria Batista, a lyalorixa, or spiritual woman, who advised Anita, “Your boy is in heaven and you are in hell. Come back to the world” (246). She also advised Anita’s family to let grief run its course, though there seemed to be no hope for improvement.
Meanwhile, Richard’s relationship with Anita also suffered as his wife grew distant with mourning. Richard began to frequent bars all the time, spending many nights with a woman he named Garota because he did not know her real name or identity. He would drink so much with her that he would wake up in her apartment, not remembering how he got there.
One day, as he was rushing to drive home from Garota’s apartment, Bibi ran to greet him from his home. As he did not see her, he ran her over with his car. When the maid screamed, he realized that he had caused a tragic accident. Anita witnessed the event from her window and the sight of her last child dying destroyed her. Anita was taken to a psychiatric hospital and received electroshock therapy to move her out of her paralysis. She also stopped eating.
Devastated by the circumstances, Richard feels that the tragedies of his life are part of “a curse” that this is likely “contagious” (255). At the time, Horacio tried to help Richard by notifying him of a job opening at New York University. When Richard applied and was offered the job, he was determined to take Anita with him so that she could have a change of scenery. Anita’s family protested, but he insisted, telling Horacio later, “I’m all she has” (262).
Chapter 20 Summary
Evelyn started working for the Leroys in 2011. After winning over Mrs. Leroy with her quiet and respectable demeanor during her interview, she was hired. Soon after, Evelyn and Frankie developed a friendly rapport, which made Mrs. Leroy warm up to her. Evelyn would also be tasked with being Mrs. Leroy’s emotional “confidante” (274) during days when she drank too much or took too many pills to make her way to bed. During those days, Mrs. Leroy would reveal the truth behind Mr. Leroy’s business, which was that he and his associates were “criminals, murderers” (281) involved in human trafficking and enslavement. Mrs. Leroy also suspected that Kathryn was a “spy” (281) who was sleeping with Mr. Leroy and took on the guise of a physical therapist to make sure that Mrs. Leroy was not sharing information about her husband’s business with others.
During her time with the Leroys, Evelyn stayed out of the family’s affairs as much as possible, though her unassuming demeanor meant that she overheard more than she intended. She was instructed by the other employees in the house to never inquire about Mr. Leroy’s business because others have been fired for being too curious. Meanwhile, Evelyn learned how to use a computer and was given permission to drive the family van to run errands. Mr. Leroy’s business associate, Ivan taught her how to drive and gave her a fake license.
On the morning of the snowstorm, the house was out of diapers for Frankie, so Evelyn took it upon herself to drive through the snow to acquire some for him. Since the van had a flat tire and Mrs. Leroy’s car was at the mechanic, Evelyn took Mr. Leroy’s car, not knowing it had Kathryn’s body in it.
Chapter 21 Summary
In 1994, Lucia published her first book about the disappeared people of Chile, which included her brother. Lena read this book before her death and had accompanied her to testify in front of a judge about witnessing the use of army helicopters in the time leading up to her exile.
After Lena died, Daniela went to college in Miami and grew into her nonbinary identity and sexuality. In 2010, Lucia was diagnosed with cancer, prompting Daniela to come home to care for her ailing mother. Meanwhile, Carlos could not handle the responsibility of caring for Lucia during her illness and dismissed himself. Daniela scolded her father to divorce her mother since it was “the only decent way out for a couple who did not love one another” (288). Carlos filed for divorce and moved out of the house. By the time Lucia was close to remission, having undergone surgery for breast reconstruction after her mastectomy, she signed the divorce papers.
After losing her mother and surviving cancer, Lucia was filled with “a burning desire to live” (290). She entered into a brief affair with Julian. While it did not last very long, it did renew Lucia’s feelings about falling in love. She and Julian parted ways amicably. He also visited her in New York when she moved there for her visiting professorship.
Chapters 19-21 Analysis
In Chapter 19, Richard’s ulcer worsens with stress, leading Lucia to take over driving. In his vulnerable state, he reveals the full story behind his past and the reasons behind his current sobriety and overly cautious demeanor. In both Anita and Bibi’s deaths, Richard’s “negligence” becomes a common factor, such that he has overcompensated in his later life through overly caring about everything. While both deaths were accidental, Richard blames himself for indulging in alcoholism and neglect of his wife and child during a time of intense grief. The tragedy of both circumstances leads him to believe that he comes with a “curse,” which he projects onto his journey with Lucia and Evelyn. While he believes that his illness is exposing their plan, the reality is that the journey is healing his past traumas and lifting the curse that he believes is afflicting him.
While Richard has lived the second half of his life with caution, Lucia rediscovers “a burning desire to live” in contrast. After enduring her brother’s disappearance, her mother’s death, her cancer, and a failed marriage, Lucia finds herself eager to recommit to life’s passions. As Richard and Lucia have been transformed by their griefs and losses in variant manners, they are able to receive love from each other based on what the other person lacks.
While Evelyn has been largely characterized as a young woman with a soft and diminutive demeanor, her employment at the Leroys shows how she is able to exercise a wiliness that allows her to survive the treacherous household and Mr. Leroy’s wrath. During moments of Mr. Leroy’s anger, Evelyn stays out of the way until it is time to care for Mrs. Leroy, who then reveals the full nature of her husband’s dealings in human trafficking. While Evelyn’s undocumented status means that she is unable to take action on this information without jeopardizing herself, the information provides a way for Lucia, Richard, and her to strategize their next steps when it comes to burying Kathryn and enacting justice on her behalf.
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