Into the Beautiful North

Matt and his neighbour Carla are getting high while Matt ponders the idea of reporting the Tres Camarones crew to the border patrol. He says, "Red, white and blue...these colours...don't...run" (238). However, he admits to "swooping on” on one of the girls, either Nayeli or Yolo.

Atomiko's narration reveals that he likes the USA for its cleanliness, and yet he misses his little hut by the dump; he built it himself. The description of its construction demonstrates his innovation with junk materials. He often nursed stray puppies back to health and so he often had "guard dogs" that hung around his hut. He admitted that it was a good life.

We move to Chavarin reminiscing of his former life in Tres Camarones where he described himself as “a fire on two legs… [and a] human waltz and a walking tango" (241). In his pondering, we realize his longing for his hometown and the special magic that it holds for them all. He admits that spending this time with the warriors has “made him understand how alone he was” (242). Chava visits with the crew at Matt's house and then takes them to another Mexican migrant worker named Angel. He once was a member of the Mexican Navy and Chavarin feels he would be best suited for fighting bandidos.

On the way they stop at a grocery store to pick up supplies; Chavarin explains that it is a very difficult place to live. Nayeli marvels at the quality of the food and the huge cereal aisle. While there, two intimidating young white men corner them and ask if they are illegals, because "they have standards" (247). Chavarin rescues them by hitting the men with the back of his cart and escorts Tacho and Nayeli out of there. "’some people’," Chava noted mildly, "’don't like us here’" (249).

Chava prefaces their visit to the camp and sets the tone by reminding the youth that they are in "the richest country in the world. This is the richest gestate of that rich country...and this is probably the richest city of the richest state of the richest country" (248). The camp has improvised tents and a makeshift shrine to the Blessed Mother.

The men that live in this camp work by picking flowers and in different seasons, fruits and vegetables. While talking with the other migrant men that live there soon, Angel arrives, along with Sully and Jimbo, the intimidating white men from the grocery store. Angel had been found by them at the water. Sully calls it an "immigration rally".

In the “Battle of Guadalupe” Atomiko and Nayeli stand up for themselves; Nayeli understands enough to know that Sully and Jimbo are saying awful things about her. Atomiko does not understand the meek, fearful behaviour of the other border crossers. He ponders: "How subservient could you get? They all hung their heads and acted Iike they were wringing their hats in fear of these gringo thugs" (252).

Nayeli, Atomiko and Angel fight off the thugs all on their own. Tacho helps by cracking one over the head with a baseball bat. Nayeli turns to Angel at the end of the brawl and asks him if he wants a job.

They return to Matt's place. Nayeli is so excited to tell Yolo that they had three men, until she walks in on her having sex with Matt. Carla tells her that her Aunt has called and said she is in town.