When I Was Puerto Rican (106-151)

In the story thus far Negi is taking small steps into becoming a woman.  Negi has taken the responsibility of taking care of her brothers and sisters while her mother works nearly all day.  After the hurricane that demolished Macun passed, the efforts to clean-up began immediately.  Negi's mother had to get a job to support the family in such a tough time. She got a job sewing at a factory, and she very much enjoyed the time and money that she received from her efforts.  Negi now had to assume the role as "new-mother" of the family and take the place of her mother.  This transition took away most of Negi's childhood splendors, forcing her to be strict and harsh with her siblings.
          Negi also experienced some innocent games with a neighbor Tato.  They would go behind the outhouse and show each other their private parts, and Negi learned new things about boys and their privates.  Also Gloria told Negi of becoming a senorita and the things that would come along with such a great change.  Mami's recent employment was becoming the new gossip of the town.  She broke away from the house-wife role and was becoming independent.  Unfortunately, the town frowned upon change and believed strongly in tradition and therefore they spread lies about Negi's Mami saying she was actually obtaining her money from sleeping with men.
          Negi made a big mistake, when she assumed the role of annoyed kid rather than responsible sister, when she choose to look away as Hector got on the bike unsecured.  Young Hector was seriously injured in the bike accident, therefore forcing his mother to temporarily quit her job and care for him.  This caused a large amount of tension between Mami and Papi, and Mami had enough.  She decided to move back to Santurce and live with a family friend, and Papi was nowhere to be found.  Negi also has developed some troubles with socialization

2.Quote: " 'You're always so bossy,' Norma yelled. 'You think you're a grown-up or something.' I wanted to cry that no, I didn't think I was a grown, and it wasn't fair that they all got to ride on the bike and I didn't. I wanted to remind them that Mami didn't want us playing with Jenny, but it would be wrong to say it in front of her."(Santiago 127)

3.Reaction: Negi's mothers news employment required her to become the woman of the house and at the young age of nine this was torture.  Growing up dirt poor with such a large family robbed Negi of her childhood and all of the fun that came along with it.  She could no longer do simple fun things, she now had to watch over her younger siblings and make sure they were behaving properly.  Nergi did not enjoy or want this major responsibility, and that shows in the above quote.  Negi wants to drop all responsibilities and be reckless, but her responsibilities kick in and she must act as the party-pooper.