For years he endured his parents’ insults to keep the family together—until his children’s tears showed his that even blood can betray

at him.

My father raised his glass and said loudly:

— Look at Rodrigo’s grandchildren. This is what the children of a failure look like: learning from an early age the work that awaits them.

Laughter filled the room.

My mother added:

“They’d better learn early. With the example of a father they have, they’ll have no other choice.”