Dante sees Ari’s room and notes that “there’s nothing in [it]” (34). Ari says he doubts the existence of God; Dante thinks it’s smart to doubt. As Dante expresses his shame over his intelligence, Ari realizes that he “really, really like[s] him” (35).

Ari learns that his father studied art before he went to the Marines. He always thought of him as “an ex-Marine mailman who didn’t like to talk much” and is surprised by his father’s artistic side (35).

Dante tells Ari he doesn’t understand why Mexican people use nicknames. Ari asks him, “It bothers you that you’re Mexican, doesn’t it?” (39-40). Dante admits that it does, adding that he is disliked by Mexican people.