We Are Called to Rise

Many tourists avoid the lesser-visited parts of Vegas, but Roberta (Robbie) has fond memories of being in areas known for poverty and crime. She visits an old friend, Teddi-Ann, there, but briefly worries that her car might get broken in to. We learn that when Teddi was 10, Robbie was assigned to her case, and after years of struggling in the system, Teddi finally “set herself free” (140) as an adult with children of her own. Teddi is thriving as a young mother, and her son is excited for Christmas; Robbie begins to cry with joy for Teddi’s success. Teddi gives Robbie hope about the unfortunate circumstances the young people she works with must overcome.

Robbie recalls her family’s Christmas traditions, which they celebrated despite her Jewish background. As a girl, a Jewish schoolmate questioned if Robbie was truly Jewish since Jews shouldn’t celebrate Christmas. Robbie became concerned and brought it up to her father. He laughed and told her there was no law against Jews celebrating Christmas, and that they’d left New York for Las Vegas to escape Jewish scrutiny.

Luis awakens to his abuela’s hospital visit. He recognizes her just by her smell and smiles without opening his eyes. He begins to weep because he is ashamed of what did done in war and doesn’t want her to know. She tries to comfort him, but this makes him cry more. She assures him he doesn’t need to speak, and slowly he begins to open his eyes, but he falls asleep without speaking. When he awakes, she is still there, and he feels better and begins to chat. They engage in small talk while he tries to pour himself water but is unable to. When his abuela assists him without his asking, he feels comforted by her presence and care.

Dr. Ghosh and Abuela seem to know each other when they meet, and Luis infers that they’ve spoken on the phone. Luis becomes nervous that he’ll have to talk to Dr. Ghosh in front of his abuela and reveal information he wants to keep to himself. He panics and wonders how much his abuela already knows. He is relieved when Dr. Ghosh and abuela coordinate a time for Luis to speak to each one separately.

Later, Luis wonders about the letter he wrote to Bashkim. Luis imagines what he wrote and feels bad that he sent a suicidal letter to a child. He is triggered and thinks about Sam’s death, saying he sees “Sam’s half blown face” (150) everywhere. He scours his memory trying to recall exactly what happened to Sam and blames himself for making a mistake he can’t remember. When Dr. Ghosh enters, Luis lies and tells him he is thinking about the letter. Luis is surprised when Dr. Ghosh takes out a copy for Luis to read. Dr. Ghosh explains that Bashkim’s principal contacted the Army with concern over the letter, but by the time the letter had passed all clearances to reach Luis’s sergeant, Luis had already shot himself. There may be future consequences, but Dr. Ghosh doesn’t want Luis to worry about that.

Luis is appalled by what he wrote Bashkim. He begins to hate himself and thinks he is unworthy of living. Dr. Ghosh consoles him, and Luis cries until Dr. Ghosh hugs him. Luis is determined to rectify his mistake. He asks Dr. Ghosh to contact Bashkim’s school so he can apologize and speak with Bashkim, and he recruits his occupational therapist to help him write a letter.

Bashkim is called to Dr. Moore’s office. He feels “mature” because this doesn’t bother him anymore; in fact, he enjoys going there to feed her fish and eat cookies. Bashkim’s excitement crashes when Dr. Moore informs him of Luis’s request to communicate. Both he and Dr. Moore know Baba won’t approve, but she believes reading Luis’s letter will help Bashkim trust again. She doesn’t want him to get in trouble with his parents, but she also believes adults make mistakes and says he should take his time to decide and return if he ever wants to read the letter. At home, Bashkim asks Nene if she thinks “the soldier” (Luis) is a bad man (159). She responds by saying it’s impossible to know, because war can change a man, and that some good men aren’t meant to be in war. Bashkim is unsure if she is talking about Luis or Baba and wonders how prison and war are similar.

The next day, Bashkim asks Dr. Moore to see the letter. In it, Luis apologizes and asks if Bashkim would like to write him back. Bashkim finds it funny how Luis writes his name in “shaky” letters and compares this to how his own baba writes (160). He accepts the apology and admits that “Specialist Rodriguez” seems nice and doesn’t seem like someone capable of killing. He tells Dr. Moore how his Baba also experienced hardships because of war and how he can also sometimes get mad, but he immediately regrets oversharing. Dr. Moore kindly tells Bashkim he can talk to her about Baba if he ever needs.

Bashkim responds to Luis, and they begin a frequent correspondence. In their letters, they talk about sports, family, and their cultures: Bashkim talks about Baba and soccer, while Luis talks about his abuela and basketball. They begin to communicate like friends, and Luis tells Bashkim that he never had a father and is glad Bashkim has Baba. Luis also shares that he grew up in Las Vegas and misses home. In their final letter of the chapter, Luis says he will be returning home at some point and that if Bashkim would like, they could meet at a park to play soccer.