My Beloved World: Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Abuelita is throwing a party, so she invites Sonia to help her pick out chickens. Sonia loves Abuelita and they share a special bond; their relationship makes Sonia believe later in life that every child needs at least one adult who shows them unconditional respect and love. Nelson, Sonia’s same-age cousin and her partner in crime, is Abuelita’s other favorite, but he refuses to go to the butcher. At the butcher, Abuelita shows Sonia how to pick the best chicken. Then, they walk back to Abuelita’s apartment and buy vegetables and an orange to share. Papi taught Sonia how to pick the best meat and fruit on their Friday shopping trips.

Finally, Abuelita and Sonia stop at a bodega to buy bread and milk. When Abuelita lives in a building with a bodega just downstairs, she sometimes sends Sonia with a dollar and numbers to bet for her. Abuelita is very lucky—and sometimes sees bad luck coming. When Sonia and Abuelita get back, Mami and Sonia’s aunts are often already there. Sonia joins her cousins while Abuelita’s husband, Gallego, picks out dance music for later. Mami always tries to make Sonia dress up for Abuelita’s Saturday night parties, but Sonia can’t keep her dress clean. She flies into Abuelita’s arms as soon as they arrive and then finds Nelson. Nelson is a genius, and his father, Tío Benny, wants him to be a doctor. Sonia envies Nelson and his siblings, Miriam and Eddie, for having such an involved father.

Wherever Sonia and her cousins play, they can always smell food and hear or see the ongoing games of dominos. At some point in the evening, someone turns off the music and everyone gathers in the living room to recite poetry. Abuelita goes first and recites a poem about Puerto Rico. Sonia explains that even for her and her cousins, who were born in the U.S., the island sparks nostalgia. The parties end late and some families head home, but the climax of the night is yet to come: the velada, or Abuelita’s séance. They clear off the table and move it to the living room. Neighbors appear from downstairs, and Mami leaves for the kitchen—she thinks it’s nonsense.

The adults force kids who are still there, usually Sonia, Junior, and Nelson, Miriam, and Eddie, to go to a bedroom and sleep. The kids lie perfectly still and Sonia thinks of what she’s heard about how Abuelita and Gallego can call the spirits to ask questions. The spirits aren’t scary, and Abuelita only uses her powers for good. When the adults believe the kids are asleep, they ring a bell. Nelson, Miriam, and Sonia sneak up to the doors and peer through gaps as Gallego speaks in a loud voice that doesn’t sound like Spanish. When the table levitates, Miriam races back to bed. Sonia and Nelson join her when they get tired of trying to decipher Gallego’s words.

Papi seldom comes to Abuelita’s parties and when he does, Sonia keeps an eye out for trouble. The trouble begins when Papi’s fingers start to curl and then, his face contorts. Sonia notices before Mami does and waits for Mami to notice. When Mami notices, she sharply insists that it’s time to go home. At the time, Sonia doesn’t understand what alcoholic neuropathy is; she just knows that Papi seems to go away and that there will be yelling back at home. It’s the best when Sonia doesn’t have to go home, however. She often stays the night at Abuelita’s and wakes up to enjoy pancakes and one-on-one time with Abuelita.