Gabi, a Girl in Pieces

“‘Ojos abiertos, piernas cerradas.’ Eyes open, legs closed.” 

Gabi frequently brings Spanish words and phrases into her diary, always providing enough context for non-Spanish readers to understand. In her first diary entry, Gabi gives a quick and raw account of her mother’s background: An unmarried woman shamed by her own mother for being pregnant without a husband at age 25. Here, Gabi captures the simple, yet dismissive solutions offered to young women coming of age. As the story progresses, Gabi’s experiences highlight that sexuality and sexual experience are more complex than simply keeping one’s eyes open and legs closed.

“Hola muchacha! What is so urgent I had to leave a pack of half-eaten Oreos behind hidden in my underwear drawer?” 

Gabi easily steps in to support her friends whenever they need her. When Sebastian calls Gabi to share that he’s gay, Gabi is immediately present and supportive. Now when Cindy needs Gabi’s support, Gabi drops what she’s doing to listen and offer advice. Although her tone is joking here, Gabi does rely on food for comfort throughout the story, so leaving behind a pack of uneaten Oreos is significant for her. Gabi also reveals here that she hides her snacks, a habit readers learn she’s acquired after years of her mother shaming her for her weight.