Danny seriously considers taking the trip to Ensenada to see his father. He has enough money for his flight, but for some reason, he has not scheduled it. Uno and Danny go to a party at Carmen’s house, where they drink and play truth or dare. Danny still does not enjoy the taste of beer, but he drinks anyway. Lolo first drinks tequila out of Raquel’s belly button, and then it’s Uno’s turn. He chooses truth and is teased, but he doesn’t care. Raquel asks Uno about Manny: “I always wondered this. Tu hermano, Manny. Don’t get mad, but do you ever get sad he like he is?” (179). Uno, with no sense of anything but love for his brother, explains that despite Manny’s lot in life, he is always happy; Manny never stops smiling. Uno cares deeply for Manny and says the reason he always watches out for him is so “he stays bein’ happy like that” (179). His response is greeted with respect and affection.

A few other truths and dares transpire. Some reveal personal stories, hard truths momentarily cloaked in laughter. Danny pays especially close attention to Sofia’s truth about not missing her real mom.