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

and cousins. Many looked away. Others still appeared irritated, as though I were ruining everyone’s fun.

“And all of you?” I asked. “Everyone saw this and no one did anything?”

My uncle Raul gave a nervous laugh.

— Oh, Rodrigo, don’t make it such a big deal. It was just family humor.

— Family humor? Making children cry is humor?

My aunt Patricia, who always continue reading …