Becoming Naomi Leon

As the family returns to their booth, they find that a huge crowd has gathered around their display. When they get to the front, Naomi sees their hard work from the past three days assembled for the first time. After the judges come by and make notes, the waiting begins. When the judges announce the winners, Naomi, Bernardo, Beni, and Pedro win second place and a cash price in the free design category. They’re ecstatic about the results. Fireworks fill the sky to signal the end of the festivities.

As they walk home, a man approaches and calls out to Bernardo. He freezes when he sees Gram and the children. The man turns around and runs. Equally shocked, Gram manages to identify the man as Santiago León. Naomi follows his red cap through the crowd, sprinting to catch up with him. She doesn’t catch him. The family tries to soothe her by offering her reasons why he might have run away: He might be feeling shame, shock, or fear. Gram assures her they can visit Teresa in the morning and track Santiago down. Naomi doesn’t feel any better about those possibilities.

To distract themselves, the family participates in a good luck ritual.