The Red Umbrella

Lucia feels that her entire life has been turned upside down. Her best friend is gone, and her life is changing. Frankie begs to go to the beach, but Mama refuses. Lucia’s mother is acting strangely. She is waiting for Alicia Milian, Laura’s mother, to come by. The Milians are known anti-revolutionists. When Alicia arrives, Mama sends Lucia upstairs. Later that evening, Papa calls the family into the living room. Lucia knows something is wrong. Papa says he and Mama have decided to send Lucia and Frankie to the United States. He explains that if they do not go to the US, then Castro will ship them off to be indoctrinated by the government. Mama and Papa have already made plans for the kids to leave Cuba. Alicia Milian brought visas for the children, and they must leave the next morning. Mama and Papa are devastated, and Frankie rushes upstairs. Lucia wants to “scream, yell, beg” (135), but she knows nothing will change Papa’s mind. Lucia quietly accepts her fate and does as her father asks by going upstairs to pack a single bag and one box of cigars to sell once reaching the US.

Lucia and her family are at the Havana airport. There are many other families there, also with children they are sending to Miami. Mama and Papa say a tearful goodbye to Lucia and Frankie. Papa tells them to ask for their friend “George” when they land in Miami. Lucia realizes that Mama’s diamond earrings are gone. She tells Lucia that it is a “small price to pay to get airline tickets for you and Frankie” (140-41). After soldiers search their luggage, Lucia and Frankie are led to a waiting area with other kids. Two intimidating soldiers pick several kids at random to search for contraband. Luckily, Lucia and Frankie are not chosen.

Lucia and Frankie are waiting for their flight when Laura Milian approaches Lucia. They are taking the same flight. Laura tells Lucia that it was her uncle Antonio who betrayed Papa. Lucia does not want to believe it, but she is convinced. Lucia regrets blaming Ivette, and she rushes to the window to mouth the words “It… was… Tio” to her father. He responds by mouthing “I know.” An announcement declares that the flight to Miami is boarding, and Frankie and Lucia take their place in line. From the plane, Lucia looks out at the city of Havana. Lucia and Frankie scan the crowd outside for their parents, and “in the middle of the small crowd, against the bright blue sky, a big red umbrella opened up” (149). The plane takes off, and Lucia whispers “adios.”

The plane nears Miami. Many children cry, and Lucia wishes her parents were with her and Frankie. Miami reminds her of Cuba at first, though once they pass the beaches, it looks very different. After the plane lands at the airport, Lucia and Frankie are unsure of what to do next. Laura sees her godfather, and other kids are reunited with relatives or family friends. Laura askes Lucia who is there for them, and Frankie says, “We’re meeting our friend George” (155).

The airport is chaotic, and Lucia feels uncertain. Then, tall man approaches and identifies himself as George. Lucia is nervous, but she senses that George will do his best to help them. After getting their bags, the kids go with George to his car. George takes them to a facility called Kendall, which houses Cuban refugee children. They discover that boys and girls are housed separately, and Frankie becomes very upset. Lucia promises that she will see him every day and that she will figure something out so they can be together. Lucia meets Mrs. Eckhart, who oversees the girls’ dormitory, and she leaves Frankie in George’s car. He yells for her as she walks into the large, quiet building.