Mañanaland

When Papá leaves for San Clemente, Max’s family watch over him. The summer heat intensifies over the week and Max makes plans to visit a local water hole with Chuy. It’s their secret spot. At the water hole, their conversation drifts to the clinic and Max’s spooky experiences at the ruins.

Suddenly, Ortiz, and Gui appear. Ortiz knows Papá is away trying to get Max a birth certificate, having heard gossip from his father, who heard it from the Tio Rodrigo. Ortiz is insensitive, telling Max: “I heard your father went to San Clemente to prove you’re a person” (85). Chuy heard that the league sometimes accepts baptism records in place of birth certificates which gives Max some hope.

Ortiz offers to buy Chuy and Gui some leche quemada, a milk and brown sugar candy, so they can bond as fútbol clinic teammates. They all leave Max at the water hole. Max is hurt. Chuy is like a brother to Max, but the clinic seems to be changing their friendship.