Fruit of the Drunken Tree

The Santiagos return home and Papá gets a new job as manager of an oil site in San Juan de Rioseco. A severe drought begins and the family must ration drinking water. Mamá asks Petrona to move in to help with the extra work of collecting water. The city of Bogotá begins a routine of planned electricity and water cuts called apagones, which means “the grand shutting down of things” (139). The Santiagos’ neighborhood is without power and water for eight hours daily. Their lives revolve around collecting water whenever available. Chula gives Petrona little gifts like flowers, rocks, and apples to reinforce their closeness. Chula wants to ask Petrona about the danger she was in, but they never have full privacy. Papá returns to visit every other weekend. On the weekends when he is away, Mamá hosts parties or has a male visitor. 

During their long summer vacation, the girls play with Isa and Lala. Their favorite prank is ding-dong-ditch, or Rin Rin Corre Corre. The neighborhood guards call them Las Hermanas Calle, meaning “The Street Sisters,” which is also the name of a musical group.