Olga Dies Dreaming

To avoid entering the Blumenthal party with Dick, Olga secures Prieto an invitation. This way, Dick won’t get the satisfaction of being seen with her. The night before the party, Olga spends time with Dick. She pities him for trying to garner his sons’ affections by buying a house. She thinks of Matteo and decides that she needs to end things with Dick.

The next morning, at Prieto’s fundraiser, Olga is amazed that her brother remains himself while talking to so many different people. During the official program, Prieto discusses the importance of criminal justice reform, environmental protections for New York, marijuana legalization, and the upcoming midterm elections. Then, Reggie King speaks up, asking Prieto to explain why he canceled the PROMESA oversight hearing. Prieto explains that he worried people would see it as only a symbolic gesture rather than having substance. Olga interrupts, defusing the tension.

Olga first met Reggie in the early 2000s. They were never officially together, but they were more than friends. Eventually, he wanted to settle down. Abuelita was excited, but Mami hated the idea. Olga told Reggie she wasn’t ready, and he was the last boyfriend she had. Recently, Reggie has become involved with efforts to decolonize Puerto Rico. At the fundraiser, Reggie emphasizes that people interested in Puerto Rico are watching Prieto.

That night, Dick tries to stall entering the party until Olga arrives, but has to go in when acquaintances spot him. Dick watches Prieto and Olga arrive together. He really dislikes Prieto (and his name): “What good could it possibly do young minority men to see someone in Congress using slang and quoting rap music, except to encourage more of the same?” (152). He jumps into a conversation Olga is having with Mrs. Blumenthal. Eventually, Dick ensures that he and Olga are shot by a photographer.

Then, a commotion leaves one of the waiters on the ground in a puddle of mojitos. It is Christian. Olga helps him up, and then proceeds to lead the wait staff in cleaning up the mess. Dick is embarrassed, but Olga uses the opportunity to continue talking with Mrs. Blumenthal, who is impressed with Olga’s immediate jump to action.

Later, Dick invites Olga to go with him to an investors’ retreat hosted by the Selbys in Puerto Rico, which he calls her “motherland” (155). She retorts that she is from Brooklyn, which the Selbys are destroying. She begs off from the retreat because her cousin’s wedding is the following weekend. Dick offers to go as her date, assuming that she is embarrassed of her relatives. Olga quickly chastises him. In turn, Dick then berates her for helping Christian, saying it made her look like a maid. Furious, Olga tells him to leave.