Return to Sender

In “Farm for the Lost and Found,” Tyler’s town is in the midst of a cold, long winter. The annual town meeting approaches on March 7, at which community members raise issues and vote on matters of interest. Tyler’s birthday follows on March 8. Mr. Bicknell assigns attendance at the meeting and a report on its events. In the car on the way, Tyler mentions that the 4-H trip to Washington, DC, is the only birthday present he wants, but Mom tells him it costs too much this year. Mr. Bicknell asks Tyler at the last second to carry in the flag and lead the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance at the meeting. Stopping in the bathroom before he processes into the hall, Tyler finds a roll of more than $860 in cash. He thinks he will turn it in but does not do so immediately.

Mr. Rossetti, an older, cranky town resident, attempts to raise the issue of Mexican workers in the area. He threatens to name those who are guilty of hiring Mexicans. Tyler is nervous that the old man will publicly call out the Paquettes. Mr. Rossetti proposes action formally: “So I want to put a motion forward that says anyone who’s not here legally needs to be rounded up” (189). Mr. Lacroix, father of bully Clayton, seconds the motion, so it goes to discussion. Mr. Bicknell eloquently and politely points out that Mr. Rossetti came from Italian immigrant ancestors who worked the local quarries: “What if Vermonters had raised an outcry about these foreigners endangering our sovereign state and nation? Many of us wouldn’t be here” (190). Mr. Bicknell also points out that Mr. Rossetti has the right idea in his passion and outspokenness for his country. The motion is put down. Later, Mr. Rossetti discovers that his money is missing and raves about being robbed. He collapses to the floor, and several people call for an ambulance. Tyler leans close and tells him, “I found your money, Mr. Rossetti” (193).

Mari’s letter is titled “Para toda mi familia en Las Margaritas.” Although the letter is for all her family members in her hometown, she addresses her paternal grandmother directly, telling her that she, Papá, and the others are glad Abuelota is feeling better after falling ill upon hearing the news about Felipe’s imprisonment. Mari thanks Felipe for notifying the Cruzes in Vermont that he arrived safely back in Las Margaritas. She mentions the special get-together Papá, Tío Armando, and the girls threw for the Paquettes and Señora Ramirez for their help with Tío Felipe. Mari addresses her maternal grandfather, Abuelito, expressing sympathy for the loss of Abuelita and hoping that her deceased grandmother will look out for Mamá.

Mari is still hopeful for Mamá’s return; both a woman and a man speaking Spanish called the Paquettes in recent days. Mrs. Paquette told the man the Cruzes’ phone number in Spanish. Mari also tells her family how she addressed a school assignment in which she had to write a love story for Valentine’s Day. Mr. Bicknell intended for the stories to highlight “love in all its dimensions” (202). Mari wrote about Tyler’s kindness to her family. After she reads the essay in class, Tyler is upset that Mari told what he still perceives as secrets: “It could get my parents into trouble” (203). The class bullies Ronnie and Clayton tease as if Tyler and Mari like one another romantically, so Tyler goes at the two boys, “throwing his fists around” (204). The bus driver breaks up the conflict.

Mari concludes her letter by telling her family members about Tyler’s need to raise money for his trip. He did not receive as much as he wanted for his birthday, but Mr. Rossetti saw Tyler’s photo in the newspaper with a 4-H bake sale raising funds for the trip and consequently called to offer Tyler a job helping him two days a week. Tyler’s grandmother drives to pick up Tyler from Mr. Rossetti’s each time. She takes the girls along on one pick-up trip. Ofie asks about Mr. Rossetti, and Grandma says he was handsome when he was young. Ofie decides later that Grandma and Mr. Rossetti should marry. Papá comments on all the romances around him, mentioning Tyler and Mari along with Tío Felipe and the American girl Alyssa, who plans to take this letter and visit the family on her spring break in Mexico.