Before We Were Free

Anita writes in her diary often. Most of the time she writes about her growing infatuation with Sam. She writes in pencil, so she can erase what she’s written. She worries that SIM might find her diary and use it as evidence, or Mami might find it and forbid her to see Sam anymore, since she says Anita’s too young to have a boyfriend. Each night, she erases what she’s written that day.

The Principal of Anita’s school announces that classes will not resume until the end of January. Many of the Americans are traveling home to see the inauguration of John F. Kennedy, the new President of the United States. Anita is confused about the fact that Americans have a new leader every four years, since Trujillo has already been the leader of the Dominican Republic for 31 years. No adult will answer her question.

Anita begins looking through magazines for pictures of Audrey Hepburn, so that she can model her makeup after the actress. She is spending more time worrying about her appearance now that she likes Sam so much.

Oscar’s mother brings him along during a canasta meeting at Mami’s house.