When We Left Cuba

Beatriz’s sister Isabel is dating an American businessperson, so Mrs. Perez turns her attention to whom Beatriz will marry. The family gathers to watch the results of the US presidential election. Kennedy decries Cuba’s moves toward communism, so he has Beatriz’s support. Beatriz thinks, “Change is all around us, both at home and here, and where I once fought so hard for change, now I must admit I fear it, a bit” (144). Isabel disapproves of Beatriz’s affair with Nick and warns Beatriz not to embarrass the family. Beatriz is glad when Kennedy wins the election.

President-elect Kennedy and his family come to Palm Beach for the winter, and the social scene picks up. Beatriz continues to visit the student communist group in Hialeah, but she thinks of them as a harmless social club. As she sits on the beach during a morning walk, Nick joins her. She is excited to see him and congratulates him on his re-election. Beatriz warns him she is still on her mission to return to Cuba, and Nick reveals that he is not in love with his fiancée. He shows Beatriz the house he bought on the beach, and they begin meeting there to spend time together.