Lucky Broken Girl

Mami is a little lonely now without Ruthie’s constant company. On a Saturday afternoon, she coaxes Ruthie to put down her book of Greek myths and allow her to brush her hair. As she does, Ruthie explains the myth of Apollo and Daphne. Mami compliments her storytelling ability, and Ruthie tells her she dreams of being a writer and artist. Mami confides that her own English is steadily improving; she even told the checkout man to leave her alone. Ruthie admits that she now has trouble seeing. Mami suspects that Ruthie needs glasses.

The eye doctor agrees; Ruthie can see much better in her new glasses. At school, Ruthie is ahead in the coursework and often offers responses that no one else knows. Ruthie draws Danielle a picture of her playing to assure her that she will not be hurt if Danielle runs and plays with other children. She presents the picture to Danielle, who loves it and says, “We are true friends for life” (206).

Amara arrives one day intent on transitioning Ruthie to just one crutch. Ruthie is resistant but eventually becomes “used to being a three-legged creature” (208). Amara persuades Ruthie to take a step without any crutches the next week; Ruthie promises she will practice no-crutch walking, but she does not.

When Amara returns, she says, “I thought by now you’d have thrown that crutch in the incinerator” (209). Amara brings Ruthie into the hall, where Ruthie tries to walk by leaning on the wall for support. Just as she is ready to give up, a door opens; it is Chicho. Ruthie is thrilled to see him. He invites Ruthie and Amara into his apartment, expressing joy that Ruthie is trying to walk. Ruthie sees bright paint colors, hammocks, and piñatas, and hears a lonely-voiced song in Spanish coming from the record player. Chicho begins to dance the tango with Ruthie, and she moves well in his arms. Then he lets go, telling her to pretend she has an “invisible partner holding [her] up” (213). Ruthie glides on both legs easily and ends up in the center of the room. Chicho offers a piñata to celebrate. Ruthie breaks it and confetti covers them. Ruthie sees Avik’s picture on Chicho’s altar and believes that Avik is watching and looking out for her.

Ramu writes to Ruthie, telling her about his family’s struggles to cope with Avik’s death and explaining that his mother “loosened her grip” on him now that he has many family members to watch over him and many cousins to play with (216). Ramu also thinks that maybe his mother realizes she cannot prevent tragedy even if she is nearby. Ruthie replies, telling Ramu about Chicho, Avik’s picture on his altar, and her own progress and dreams. She mentions that she is walking but does so with a limp. Later, she prays to God, Shiva, and Frida, thanking them for her friends and family and asking them for help with her limp.

Ruthie attends physical therapy three times a week in the summer, working to rebuild her leg muscles and control in an effort to heal her limp. Danielle encourages Ruthie to try hopscotch again, but Ruthie must walk the squares instead of hopping. When she tries to take a small jump, she almost falls, but Danielle catches her. Ruthie explains to Danielle that the limp might never heal—that she is a new Ruthie who likes books and stillness and quiet. Danielle understands and invites Ruthie over to eat puffs to “celebrate the birth of the new Ruthie” (225). Afterwards, Danielle convinces Ruthie to put on the go-go boots, and Ruthie forgets to keep all her weight on her left leg; as a result, she walks more confidently and without a limp. They rush to show Mami, who is overjoyed. Papi arrives with a gift of new white go-go boots for Ruthie, who gives them to Danielle. Chicho gives Ruthie another piñata with which to celebrate, and Ruthie breaks it open on the first try, releasing the confetti over everyone. She knows now that she is truly lucky to be “not broken anymore” (230).