Breaking Through

“I did not want to return to Mexico because I liked going to school, even though it was difficult for me, especially English class.” 

Francisco is an eager student from earliest childhood. The migratory nature of the family’s employment necessitates frequent moves dictated by the location of available work, so he and his brother have frequently been taken out of school midyear. Additionally, the boys are both removed from school for months on end in order to help their parents work in the fields. He is excited when the family lives in Bonetti Ranch, near Santa Maria, California because the family does not have to relocate every fall in order to pick grapes and cotton and can “[…] live in army tents or old garages” (3).

“‘What if Panchito goes back with Roberto?’ Mama said.”

When the family is deported to Mexico, it is determined by Papa that Roberto, who has a part-time job as a janitor at Main Street School in Santa Maria, will return to California to work and send money to the family. Although he remains silent, Francisco is devastated upon hearing of this plan. He realizes that he will be hopelessly behind his school upon his return to California if he remains with the family in Mexico. Mama diplomatically suggests that Francisco can help his brother at work and that they can both attend school if they are sent back to Bonetti Ranch together.