And The Earth Did Not Devour Him

Doña María wants to buy her children toys for Christmas. Usually, she and her husband cannot afford them and gift the children candies and nuts instead. Each year, the children ask for toys, and Doña María tells them to wait until January 6, “the day of Reyes Magos,” hoping the children will forget by then (121). When the children ask Doña María if they never get presents because they are bad, she resolves to buy them toys from a store downtown. Downtown is only six blocks away, but Doña María rarely ever leaves home and then only with her husband. She is afraid of getting lost and suffers from anxiety, but her husband works 18eighteen-hour days in a restaurant and does not have time to shop.

She frets about making the trip—being bitten by a dog, getting lost, or being grabbed by someone—but finally makes it to the store. The crowds overwhelm her, and she begins to panic. She grabs the toys, puts them in her bag, and leaves the store. A security guard accuses her of stealing and takes her to jail. Her husband gets her out by explaining that she gets dizzy from anxiety. He tells Doña María to stay in the house and yard, and he will bring her everything she needs.