Return to Sender

“Lots of them are coming up here because they can’t earn enough back home to live on. Many of them used to farm. They’re separated from their families for years.” 

Mom explains to Tyler that Mexican workers are living in the trailer on their farm. Because Dad had an accident and cannot do physical labor, and because they cannot afford to hire workers through lawful means, Mom and Dad hired Mari’s Papá and uncles. Mom tells Tyler he should not talk about the workers at school, to avoid undo attention. This catalyzes a conflict within Tyler, who feels torn between doing what is right for his family and following the law.

“Nothing is wrong, my heart. But you will never forget me, ever?”

Mari’s Mamá says this to her the night before she leaves to fly home to Mexico to see her ailing mother, Mari’s Abuelita. Although Mamá planned to return to her family in Durham, North Carolina, and called to say she was leaving on the journey, she never arrived. Papá, Mari, and Mari’s sisters do not know where she is.

“They fly all the way to Mexico? […] Just like the mariposas.”

Mari asks Tyler about barn swallows when the two of them view stars in the hayloft. Tyler verifies this is true, and Mari recalls how monarch butterflies (mariposas) migrate to Mexico as well. These facts delight her. Tyler is happy to teach Mari about the stars and swallows. This moment marks the bourgeoning of their friendship, and stars and swallows will increasingly come to symbolize the bond between Tyler, Mari, and their families.

“Should we call the police?”

Tyler asks this of his parents when they determine that the Mexicans are “likely not legal” based on Mari’s emotional reaction when her little sisters mentioned that she was born in Mexico. The thought of his parents breaking the law upsets Tyler. His father points out that because their options are so limited, they must hire the Mexicans if they want to keep the farm.

“Mr. President, please believe me that those two dollars are not reaching my family.” 

In a letter to the president of the United States, Mari asks for his fairness and permission to allow her father and uncles to stay and work in the country. She explains how her grandfather was paid so little for the coffee and corn he grew that he could not even reinvest in new planting materials. In the US, however, coffee drinks at a café cost $2. Mari’s point is that though it is hard to understand with such inflated prices in the US, farmers in Mexico struggle to subsist.

“But when your Uncle Larry told us, you know what Gramps said? He said, ‘We Paquettes came down from Canada back in the 1800s. Nobody but nobody in America got here—excepting the Indians—without somebody giving them a chance.’ That’s what he said.” 

Grandma relays to Tyler Gramps’s thoughts on the Mexican workers hired by Uncle Larry. Tyler, who pushes away Mari as a potential friend when he realizes that she, her father, and her uncles are in the United States as undocumented immigrants, is surprised to hear how his grandfather reacted. While his parents’ attempts to reassure him about the Mexicans had little effect, these words from Gramps have a bigger impact, and Tyler begins to accept and include Mari as a friend again.

“In those ten minutes of terror, we had been reminded that we were living on borrowed kindness and luck.” 

Mari writes this line in her letter to Abuelita, which she hopes to bury someday at the side of her grandmother’s grave in Mexico. Mari refers to the minutes she, her sisters, her uncles, and Papá sat in the dark of their trailer hearing the ringing doorbell, shouts, and banging on their trailer. They fear the immigration authorities have found them. Minutes after the noises cease, Tyler’s mother arrives to tell them the visitors were only trick-or-treaters.

“I just don’t see how we’re expected to survive.” 

This is Aunt Vicky’s line on Thanksgiving Day at Grandma’s house when the adults discuss the news from the sheriff’s department that more Mexican workers in the area will likely be picked up and deported. The line highlights the economic concerns of people like the Paquettes, who try to make a living by owning and running a family farm. The line is also ironic in that it demonstrates Aunt Vicky’s ignorance and lack of inclusivity for the undocumented workers who will be sent home without regard for their financial well-being or family situations.

“I don’t want to go to Mexico.” 

Papá is sad to hear this line from Ofie. He tells Mari to have their patrones, the Paquettes, send the three sisters to his parents in Mexico if la migra collect Tío Armando and him. However, Ofie and Luby are US citizens. Mari sees that they are American by birthplace and also more culturally connected to living in America than her and Papá because they never lived in Mexico. Ofie’s concern juxtaposes against Mari’s petition to the Virgin Guadalupe to bring and keep her family together in either place.

“You must promise not to send her from her home […] We know what that is like.”

Tío Armando tells Tyler’s Aunt Jeanne to allow Grandma to remain living in her own home. This quote contrasts the circumstances between the Cruzes and the Paquettes. The Cruzes left their home in Mexico in search of a better life, but they struggle to find safe and stable harbor in the US, far from their support system and in constant fear of discovery and arrest. In comparison, the Paquettes have much more stability and support. Tío Armando’s words cause Aunt Jeanne to reevaluate the conflict over Grandma’s living situation, and she promises to let Grandma stay in her home.

“Christmas tears are just the worst unless they’re the kind that spring to your eyes when you are so touched, your happiness has to borrow from your sadness.” 

Tyler feels his negativity and dread lift as he purchases Christmas gifts for the Cruz girls, especially Mari. He anticipated a lousy holiday with Gramps gone, Tío Felipe imprisoned, and his family members feeling guilt and worry over the Mexicans’ situation. Buying stationery and stick-on stars for Mari, however, lightens his mood and gives him hope that Mari will smile.

“Mari may be getting every one of her wishes after all!” 

This is Tyler’s thought when he runs to the Cruzes to tell them a Spanish-speaking woman is on the phone. Sara and Tyler hope that it is Mari’s mother, missing a whole year after her dangerous attempt to re-enter the United States illegally. Mari reports in her first letter to Tío Felipe that by the time the family made it to the phone, the line disconnected.

“That brother of ours has courage!” 

Mari writes this line of quoted speech into her first letter that Tyler takes to Felipe in the jail, attributing it to Papá and Tío Armando. The Cruzes all think Tío Felipe is brave because when he fled Ben’s car after the university party, he led authorities away from his family and their patrones. Mari’s letter is the only gift Tío Felipe receives for Christmas because he is not allowed any gifts, food, or calling cards. Tyler holds the letter up to the glass barrier when he visits Felipe on Christmas Eve.

“But the bottom line is that this country, and particularly this state, were built by people who gave up everything in search of a better life, not just for themselves, but for their children. Their blood, sweat, and tears formed this great nation.” 

Mr. Bicknell shares this sentiment at the town meeting after proving his point that Mr. Rossetti’s ancestors came to work and establish a better life in Vermont. His point is that the local Mexican workers are doing the same thing. Mr. Rossetti’s motion to “round up” the Mexicans does not pass. Tyler’s mother praises and thanks Mr. Bicknell for his words.

“I tried explaining to him what I wrote for Mr. Bicknell’s Valentine’s Day assignment. How friendship is a country that includes everybody. All you have to do to belong is be a good friend.” 

Mari writes these lines to her extended family in Mexico in a letter that Alyssa will take when she travels there on her spring break. Mari explains that Ofie told Papá that Mari likes Tyler in a more-than-friendship way, but Mari indicates here that in both her class assignment and her discussion with Papá, she explained she and Tyler are just friends. She says Papá does not believe her and that he is old enough to know better.

“This is the kind of surprise that happens in the violent movies that his parents won’t let him watch.” 

Tyler is shocked to learn from Grandma that Mari’s mother has been found, but she is a hostage to “some sleazy guys” (217). A group of coyotes is holding her for ransom in Texas. Mari’s father appeals to the Paquettes for time away from work to go to there. When the ransom drops to $1,500, Mr. Cruz is able to collect it from relatives; he decides to allow Mari to take the money and collect Mamá.

“Do you mind if we go to North Carolina instead?”

Tyler asks this of his Aunt Roxy and Uncle Tony when they offer to take him and a friend to Washington, DC, for his birthday. Tyler immediately sees this gift as a way to pick up Mari’s mother and bring her home in a safer manner than public transportation. No one explains to Tyler’s aunt and uncle the circumstances under which they will be giving Mari’s mother a ride home until Mari walks to the van to pay the ransom. Even so, when Tyler informs them of the details, his aunt and uncle embrace the situation. Combined with Tyler’s decision to sacrifice personal pleasure to reunite Mari’s family, this reflects the acceptance and generosity exchanged between the Cruzes and the Paquettes.

“But unlike the names on that wall, she has come back to us.” 

Mari compares her Mamá to those whose names she sees on the Vietnam War Memorial. In Washington, DC, with Tyler, Sara, and Tyler’s aunt and uncle, Mari sees the names and thinks how she and her sisters and Papá grieved for Mamá while she was gone. Mari knows how blessed she is that Mamá is coming back to them.

“Can we find my star?” 

Mari asks this of Tyler when he finally gets to set up the telescope for stargazing after rainy weather. His intention is exactly that: to show Mari the star he named after her for her birthday. In the middle of his thoughtful attempt to make Mari happy, ironically, authorities from Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrive to apprehend her parents.

“Always remember that you have a home in our hearts, no matter where you are. Friendship knows no borders!” 

Understanding that Mari cannot see her classmates, Mr. Bicknell allows each student to write a brief goodbye and good wishes to her on the last day of school. He then types up each student’s response into a compiled letter, and Tyler brings the letter to Mari. This quote demonstrates that “home” can encompass people and community as well as place, and Mari finds both in Vermont.

“So I’m turning myself in, I hope you’ll take me instead of my mother, as she will go crazy if you keep her in prison. She’s not going to run off, I promise, if you’d got me in your jail.” 

Mari confesses to Mr. O’Goody, the authority at the ICE office, that she is not a US citizen although her little sisters are. Mari decides to tell the truth to the authorities to help her parents, whom ICE thinks are criminals because of the connection to the kidnapping coyotes in Texas. Mr. O’Goody is impressed with Mari’s bravery and willingness to sacrifice for her parents and says he will do what he can in their favor.

“This way, Mari, when you look at the stars in Mexico, you can think me looking up at some the very same starts in Vermont.” 

Tyler decides to give Mari his telescope. He shows growth and maturity not only in his generosity but in his forethought: He checks with Grandma to make sure she doesn’t mind if he gives away a gift from Gramps. He also lets Mari know that Grandma can bring the extra luggage to Mexico on the church youth group trip if Mari cannot.

“We can make things more fair, Papá. We have to do it because there’s no one else to do it if we don’t.” 

Mari says this to Papá when he comments on life’s unfairness upon hearing that the Paquettes must stop farming. Mari, though, is inspired by the call for political change in both America and Mexico. Papá looks at Mari as if realizing her newfound sense of maturity.