The friendship between cousins Rafe Buenrostro and Jeh Malacara continues through war and peace. After returning from Korea, Rafelike so many Mexican Americansis advised to use the GI Bill to learn a trade, like building fishing boats. He and Jeh opt to attend the University of Texas. They get by working in the library and writing papers for other students. When a teaching assistantship becomes available, Rafe loses it because the secretary couldn’t locate him, confirming the fact that some Mexican Americans are sellouts.
Death comes knocking, in Korea and South Texas. Their childhood friends, Pepe Vielma and Charlie Villaln, died overseas, as did many other Klail City boys. Closer to home, old Esteban Echevarra is ready to call it quits, saying he won’t live another summer.