In a letter to Prieto, Blanca worries about him moving back home while his father is in the hospital. She describes meeting his father, disclosing that Johnny had a heroin addiction, but the Young Lords helped him get clean. When the organization fell apart, Johnny went back to drugs and gave up on his dreams. Mami argues that Prieto’s choice to move back home will not save Johnny. She doesn’t want him to be distracted by anyone else either: “Put a wall up between you and his last days, if for no other reason than to protect yourself” (195).

Prieto wonders where he can get an HIV test without being recognized. He doesn’t have a doctor in New York and worries that no matter what happens, the Selbys will find out. He is terrified of dying from AIDS like his father did. Prieto slept with Jan when they met at Olga’s birthday party, and their fling made Prieto wonder what it would be like to have a normal relationship with a man. He decides to go for a drive to Shore Road.

In the car, Prieto thinks about the fact that while his family has never said anything bad about gay people, they always try to pair him with women.