—A revolutionary label? Don Chan said with a smile.

—I call it socially responsible capitalism for the people, where everyone can participate in the process. Those who want to buy can still buy, but without the guilt.

—But people don’t feel guilty when they buy, Bobby said.

—We must make them feel guilty, Miraluz said. —It’s the only way it will work. People have to become more conscious.

—A brilliant idea. We spent all those years trying to change the government and it’s still as corrupt as it’s ever been…it’s too invested in its own power to help us. You were right about that from the beginning, Miraluz. The individual helping the individual.

Don Chan listened to her ideas and felt something melt inside him. His spirit was inching away from his body.

—We’re almost done with the first batch of underwear. All we need to do is sell them. We want to start with the university students, in the United States. You know, Dominican Yorks who care about their families back home. And of course, in time we can expand.

—We can sell them via the Internet, Bobby said, wanting to touch Miraluz but not in front of Don Chan. Every time she spoke about her idea, he felt the desire to kiss her.

—El tenete? Miraluz asked.

—No, el Internet. Bobby said it slowly, looking over to Don Chan, who was falling asleep in the rocking chair. It had been a long day.

—Bobby started his own business, Don Chan said, suddenly opening his eyes.

—Your own business?

—Inside a television, Don Chan said and fell asleep again.

—You’re a movie star? Miraluz pictured Bobby starring on a show in television.

—No, no…I work with the Internet. It’s computer work. Bobby laughed at all the misunderstandings.

—Let’s put him to bed so you can show me, Miraluz said and felt a rise inside her.

—Put who to bed? I’m resting my eyes, that’s all.

It was like the beginning of a horse race. Esperanza’s relatives were outside Pura’s gates, and Pura, with fear and anticipation, took her time opening her door. She hadn’t had so much family visit her in years. But when someone arrives from New York, the word gets out, and Esperanza was about to pay her dues for leaving family behind. The cousins gawked at all the gold Esperanza wore around her neck, wrist, and hands, and pretended they could care less about what she had brought them. Each of them carried Consuelo and bounced her around, saying how much she looked like Dallas.

—She’s not Dallas’s child, Esperanza insisted. —Dallas has plenty of time to become a mother. She’s going to the university.

—Education is good, they said, but what about los enamorados? They winked at Dallas, who blushed. Her cousin had already introduced her to some of the guys from around the way. Most of them were hicks, but there was one she liked called Jorge, who she wouldn’t mind making out with.