Clap When You Land: Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis

Tía is on the phone again, whispering angrily and trying to keep Camino from overhearing. When she’s done, Camino goes outside and sits in a rocking chair with her. They rock in silence for a long time. Tía has never lied to Camino; she’s always answered questions about boys or sex or the Saints. Suddenly, Tía stops rocking. Camino knows that whatever Tía says is going to have an impact.

Tía explains that she was on the phone with Tío Jorge. The airline is offering a half-million advance to ward off lawsuits; it can be split among dependents. But this is complicated. Tía says she never wanted to lie, but Papi was complex. She explains that Papi has another daughter in New York City. The girl is two months younger than Camino, and Papi married the girl’s mother, Zoila, before he married Mamá. Tía says that Camino can apply for money as one of Papi’s dependents, but Zoila might try to fight the claim. Zoila has connections at the consulate and made it difficult for Papi to help Camino—he needed her citizenship papers to get Camino a visa. Camino barely hears what else Tía says, fixating instead on the fact that she has a sister.

Learning a truth you didn’t want to know can do terrible things to a person. It can make one’s stomach mold, make everything taste bad, and can even put a collar around a person’s neck and lead them into a place full of monsters. There’s someone else in the world related to Camino; Papi lied to Camino every day. Camino isn’t alone, but the rest of her family aside from Tía are strangers. She wants to touch her sister’s face and ask if she hurts like Camino does. Does Camino’s sister know she has a sister? Would Papi have told her everything while he lied to Camino? Or would she understand what Camino is feeling? If Camino finds her sister, will Camino find a piece of herself she didn’t know was missing?

There are a variety of items on Tía’s altar, from a shot glass filled with rum to a bouquet of flowers. There are photos of Tía’s parents, Mamá, and other relatives. Camino has been putting bills on the altar too, under the tablecloth. The bill for school is one of them; it arrives in June and Papi usually pays it in July. Tía doesn’t make enough money to pay it. Camino has no idea how an “overeducated orphan” becomes a doctor here, where girls her age get pregnant by 10th grade. But now, Camino might have money coming. How does Camino finish school and go to college in the U.S.? She refuses to let her dreams pop like bubbles.

Later, as Tía cleans red kidney beans, Camino says that according to Papi, the paperwork for her visa was in order. She asks if she can still go to the U.S. and maybe live with Tío Jorge. Tía pauses and explains that the papers were going to be approved because Papi was bringing Camino on Zoila’s papers, citizenship, and income. Now, Zoila will have to sponsor Camino for Camino to get a visa—and, Tía adds, Zoila isn’t a “forgiving woman.” Camino thinks that she’s not forgiving either. She asks what Papi’s other daughter’s name is. Carefully, Tía says the girl’s name is Yahaira.

Twenty-Two Days After. Camino is still processing all she learned about Yahaira and Papi when she stops by Carline’s house the next day. Carline looks exhausted, but Camino still almost lets herself cry in her friend’s arms. Camino tells her friend she already looks like a mother, but Carline complains that she’s sore and so thirsty. Then, she says she’s heard that girls have seen Camino at the beach with El Cero. Carline says she won’t judge Camino, but El Cero is dangerous. Camino can only nod. She knows he’s dangerous; that’s why Papi paid him to stay away. But Carline can’t help Camino. Then the baby starts to cry, prompting a subject change. Carline explains that the old ladies warned her not to name her baby since he might not make it, but she named him Luciano anyway. Camino holds Luciano and prays that love is enough.

The next time Camino sees El Cero, she treats him like a stray. She tries to give him just enough attention to placate him and get him to leave her alone. But El Cero won’t leave. At the beach, Vira Lata sits on Camino’s clothes and watches El Cero. It’s nice not to be alone. But as Camino is gathering her things, El Cero approaches and says that a man asked him for Camino’s address—and he didn’t seem like a good man. El Cero says he told the man he didn’t know Camino’s address, but Camino understands the subtext: he could give anyone her address, and nobody would be able to keep Camino safe. 

When Camino doesn’t respond, El Cero whistles. An older man walks onto the beach. He smells like a sewer mixed with cologne. El Cero introduces the man as a friend of Papi’s and grabs Camino’s arms. The man suggests he and Camino go talk in his car—and suddenly, Camino is enraged. She screams, pulls away, and shoves the man. This excites Vira Lata, whose barking distracts the men while Camino races away. Sobbing, Camino feels like her skin is electric as she runs home.

It’s only upon returning home that Camino remembers that there’s a ceremony tonight. Tía taught Camino to dance and move her spirit, not just her body. Camino remembers watching Tía dance and learning how to roll her body. Everyone knows that Tía and Camino’s house is one “blessed by saints.” Most people are afraid of that kind of spirituality, but that doesn’t stop them for asking Tía for help, prayers, or remedies—especially when doctors are too expensive or say they can’t help. This means that when Tía hosts a ceremony, lots of people come. The santero (priest), practitioners, and drummers come, and though the attendees are grieving, the music is “full of light.” Camino dances like she’s pushing El Cero away, and she “pray[s] herself free” of pain and fear.