The novel begins in 1961 Cuba. Lucia and her little brother Frankie are enjoying a day at the beach after learning that public schools will be closed for “evaluations” for an undisclosed period. Lucia is 14 years old. She is excited for the time off from school and her boring teachers, though she will miss her friends, especially a boy named Manuel, whom she has a crush on. At the beach, Lucia witnesses several military vehicles charging down the road, and she and her brother head home.

Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries are taking over schools and businesses, but Lucia is not concerned with politics. She is unaware of the violence and danger that is closing in on her hometown of Puerto Mijares.

Lucia and Frankie return home to find their parents sitting in the dark, listening to a political speech on the kitchen radio. Lucia realizes something is wrong because of her parents’ strange behavior. The chapter closes with the phrase “socialism or death” barking out from the radio.

This chapter begins with Lucia choosing her outfit for a day of fun with her best friend, Ivette. She is excited for another day off from school, and she wants to spend the day at the movies with Ivette.