​It was winter. There was no snow, but it was cold. Esperanza took care of Mama. Mama was not getting better. She was sleeping most of the time and only drank a little soup.
“Please, Abuelita’s blanket,” said Mama. Esperanza gave it to her and Mama held on to the blanket with tears in her eyes.

​”Why won’t Mama get better, Hortensia?” asked Esperanza. “Your Mama is depressed,” said Hortensia. “That means she is very sad all the time. Your Mama lost her husband, her home, her money, and she misses Abuelita. She is too sick to stay here. She must go to the hospital tomorrow.”

​“Miguel, how can I get a job?” Esperanza asked. “I need money to send to Abuelita. If Abuelita comes, maybe Mama will get better.” “Ask Melina to watch Lupe and Pepe,” said Miguel. “Then ask for a job at the sheds.” The next day Esperanza pretended to be older than 13. She got a job cutting potatoes. “See, Esperanza?” said Josefina. “You pick up a potato. These small green parts are called eyes. Cut off all the eyes except two. A new potato plant will grow from them.”

​Esperanza sat in the sheds all day, cutting potatoes. Marta’s aunt was working there. “Marta and her friends live in another camp,” said Marta’s aunt. “They want to have a strike in the spring. Although I am her aunt, I do not want to strike.” “Last year, there was a strike,” said Josefina. “The United States sent the workers back to Mexico. Maybe that will happen to the people who strike this year.” “Maybe,” said Marta’s aunt. “But be careful. Marta and her friends are angry at us. They might hurt us if we do not strike in the spring.”

​Christmas was coming. Esperanza missed Mama, far away in the hospital. “Mama was brave for me,” she said to herself. “Now it’s my turn to be brave for Mama.” On Christmas, Esperanza visited Mama in the hospital. She talked about her new job and about Lupe and Pepe. But Mama did not wake up. Esperanza picked up Abuelita’s blanket and began to crochet. The stripes were zigzag, high and low.

​Esperanza remembered what Abuelita had said: “You will feel high and low many times before I see you again.” I don’t feel high at any time, thought Esperanza. I just feel low every day.