Chapter 47 'Truth and a Slice' — Summary, Themes, and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

You have been warned.

Now, let's break down what happens in this emotionally charged chapter.

Summary

After his visit to his mother's compound, Prieto is left reeling. He had built up two versions of Blanca in his mind—the heroic revolutionary and the helpless kook—but the reality is far more complex. She is a brilliant, dangerous woman who shed her old life because she felt trapped in a skin too small for her ambitions. Prieto recognizes that same feeling of being trapped, but instead of empathy, he feels regret, rage, and despair. He realizes that a large part of his own life's compromises—his values, his desires, even his political career—were made in a futile attempt to win the love of a woman who never wanted to be a mother. On the flight home, he cries, watching his island disappear, and acknowledges the shameful actions he took to present a life his mother would approve of. He also acknowledges that deep down, he always knew she lacked the capacity to love him back.

When he lands, his plan is to go straight to Olga and tell her everything about the visit and the Selbys. But Olga doesn't answer his calls, and eventually she sends a message telling him to leave her alone. Rather than let his courage go to waste, Prieto decides to talk to his daughter, Lourdes, that very day. He picks her up from school, luring her with a slice from L & B, and they chat about school and crushes. Prieto awkwardly steers the conversation toward sexuality, and Lourdes casually mentions that her friend Tomás is queer and that it's not a big deal. Prieto seizes the moment and tells her he is gay. Lourdes takes it in stride, asking if her mother knows, and then Prieto reveals he is also HIV-positive. She compares him to a character on How to Get Away with Murder and asks if he has a boyfriend. When he says no, she says she wouldn't mind if he did, as long as they were cool. Prieto tells her he'll eventually tell everyone.

The chapter then shifts to Prieto's attempts to reach Reggie King. Reggie has been ignoring his calls, and Olga has cut off contact. Prieto suspects Reggie is involved in whatever happened between Olga and their mother. After two weeks of being dodged, Prieto calls his FBI friend Bonilla and asks him to visit Reggie's office under the pretext of investigating a prison break in Puerto Rico. The ploy works: Reggie agrees to a face-to-face meeting to make the FBI go away.

In Reggie's lavish Tribeca office, Prieto confronts him. Reggie reveals that Olga spoke to their mother and failed a mission. Prieto warns Reggie about Blanca's dangerous nature, pointing out that she is a fugitive who attempted to assassinate an elected official and has a cache of weapons. He challenges Reggie's commitment to the revolutionary cause, suggesting that Reggie is just playing a role and will end up dead or in jail if he continues to hitch his wagon to Blanca. Prieto tells Reggie to stay away from his sister and says he'll call off the FBI.

Key Events

Prieto returns from his mother's compound, grappling with the truth of who she is and the cost of his lifelong quest for her approval.
He cries on the plane, realizing he compromised his values and desires to win a love that was never available.
He tries to reach Olga but fails; she later tells him to leave her alone.
Prieto picks up Lourdes with pizza and tells her he is gay and HIV-positive.
Lourdes reacts calmly, mentions Tomás is queer, and says she wouldn't mind if he had a boyfriend.
Prieto says he will eventually tell everyone about his sexuality and health.
He uses an FBI contact to force a meeting with Reggie King.
In the confrontation, Reggie reveals Olga spoke to their mother and failed a mission.
Prieto warns Reggie about Blanca's dangerous nature and tells him to stay away from Olga.
Prieto agrees to call off the FBI, but only if Reggie keeps his distance.

Character Development

Prieto undergoes a profound emotional shift in this chapter. His visit to his mother strips away the idealized versions he carried for twenty-seven years, forcing him to confront the reality that his sacrifices were made for a woman who never wanted to be a parent. This realization unleashes a burden he didn't know he was carrying. He feels