The Five Wounds

Yolanda begins chemotherapy without telling her family. Although she has a full schedule of appointments, no one notices. She feels invisible to them. One day, after leaving the doctor, she stops for a milkshake and an enchilada at Tortilla Hut only to back into someone’s car as she leaves the parking lot. Although Yolanda has been instructed not to drive anymore because of her risk of seizures, she cannot follow that instruction unless she tells her family about her condition. Yolanda is careful never to drive Angel or the baby, but she knows that it is unethical of her to continue to drive at all. She has dented the other car’s bumper, but she quickly exits the parking lot without telling anyone or leaving a note.

Amadeo calls Brianna to ask her out, and when Brianna returns his call the next day, they agree to meet on Thursday after she finishes work. On the way to meet her, Amadeo has a few drinks for the first time in 10 weeks. He picks up Brianna and, because his license is revoked (he tells her that his truck is in the shop), she drives. Since she does not want to be seen in public with a student’s parent, the two head to her casita, near Chimayo.