Clap When You Land

Camino anxiously awaits her sister as she goes about her life of daily stressors in Sosúa. Although Camino has been able to stay out of danger until now, the peril of her situation is becoming more real every day. El Cero has begun videotaping her during her swims, and her school has sent her three bills that she has hidden from her Tía Solana, hoping that saints or her half-sister will intervene. She counts down the days to Papi’s funeral, the same day as her birthday.

Later, Camino works up her nerve and video calls Yahaira to tell her that she will not help her come to Papi’s burial unless she wires a portion of the airline money. Although Camino finds it almost painful to make such a demand, she has launched a plan to escape Sosúa, just as Yahaira has hatched her own plan to travel there: “After Papi’s / burial / I will have to leave this place. There is / nothing / for me in this town where I see my exit / doors growing smaller” (290). Yahaira hesitates only an instant before admitting that the advance belongs to Camino, too. When Yahaira asks how much of it she would like transferred, Camino tells her to send her 10,000 and to keep the rest. She ends the call without saying goodbye, thinking to herself that it will be better not to get attached to this sister.

Camino picks up the money from Western Union and tapes it to the back of her father’s portrait on Tía Solana’s altar. In addition to the money, Yahaira has also sent Camino her flight itinerary. Yahaira will need a ride from the airport, and Camino reluctantly agrees to provide one, though she does not know how she will accomplish this feat.

Although Yahaira is not allowed to see her father’s remains, the airline has sent the remnants of Papi’s belongings, to be buried with him: “a catalogue of all the bits of cloth, / & bone & hair & suitcase things” (294). Mami has decided to hold a wake before the body is buried in the Dominican Republic. Tío Jorge is in attendance, along with Nelson, Dre, and her mother. When Yahaira kneels at her father’s casket, she nearly weeps, but she remembers Papi’s advice and keeps her composure: “Never let them see you sweat / & even if you have to forfeit, smile” (297).

In the taxi after the service, Mami suggests that they go on a trip for Yahaira’s upcoming birthday, arguing that her father would have wanted her to enjoy it. Yahaira considers that her father was “a man of commemorations” (304), and it is unlikely he would have wanted to be buried without his daughter in attendance. She tries to hide her feelings but ultimately snaps at Mami, stating that she only wants to be left alone.

Later when they are at their apartment, Yahaira tells her mother that she will be staying at Dre’s home that night, and although Mami does not generally approve of sleepovers, she says nothing in response. Yahaira leaves through her window with her packed duffel bag. Dre urges Yahaira to tell her mother about her trip, but in the morning Yahaira leaves clandestinely for the airport.

At the airport, Yahaira tries to act confidently when she gives her passport to an airline attendant. When he learns she will not be flying with a guardian, he nearly turns her away, forcing Yahaira to redouble her efforts. She tells the attendant that she is flying back with her father’s body that went down with flight 1112. As she says it, Yahaira realizes the fact will identify her for the rest of her life. The attendant quickly gives her back the passport and prints out her ticket: “the age restriction is more a recommen- / dation than a requirement” (310).

Camino and Tía Solana prepare sancocho, a plate that they make for welcome. Even while she chops cilantro and mashes garlic, Camino is worried for her sister. Because Yahaira is flying on the same route her father took throughout the summers of her life, “I know exactly where she is in the air / without having to glance at a clock” (313). She lights a candle at Tía Solana’s altar for Yahaira’s safe arrival.

Don Mateo and Camino ride together in silence to the airport, both aware that they are acting out the same duties as the day Papi’s plane crashed. When they arrive, Camino is gripped with a sudden reluctance, and Don Mateo notices. He offers to take Camino back home, but she gets out of the car and confronts the airport. At the arrival gate, there are no upset shouts or grieving family members, only those bystanders waiting in hopeful anticipation of a returning loved one. Briefly the flight listings go blank, and Camino panics. She quickly grabs an airport personnel member, who assures her that the plane has landed: “they are simply trying to update the arrival / gate” (318). When passengers come off the plane, Camino spots Yahaira, “a beautiful girl, with tight / curls; / A morenita with a pink duffel in her / hand / looking pensive & determined” (319).