After the Nacha’s death, Tita becomes head of the kitchen. Pedro gives her flowers as a gift to congratulate her! But, doing so only makes Rosaura cry and Mami very mad. Instead of throwing away the beautiful Roses Tita received, she made quail in rose sauce. The one mistake she made was holding the roses too tightly, thus causing her to bleed-turning the petals into a bloody red color, instead of pink.
Everyone knew the dish was exquisite, but only Pedro complimented her on a job well done. Gertrudis was starting to feel different. She was sweating and starting to feel an intense heart beat. She began to imagine a man on horseback, more so a desire for this man. This revolutionary, in the midst of battle, came on horseback to find Gertrudis. And they ran off to do what lovers do…Mami heard she ran off and was now working at a Brothel. She is now “unknown” to Mami.
Pedro and Tita were in tears seeing the act of love being carried out, which is what they could not have. There was a moment where you think Pedro is going to ask her to run away with him, but Mami starts yelling what’s going on out there!
In April, Tita is cooking for Pedro and Rosaura’s son Roberto. They host a party for the new baby boy. To Tita’s surprise she loves him. Also, she is the only one who can breast feed him. It is as if her sister was caring “her baby” all along. Even though she thought her fate may have been denied her, she ended up getting a special bond with that boy.
Mami made Pedro, Rosaura, and baby Roberto move to San Antonio. Tita had become depressed. They were the only reason she lived to the next day. She was getting in trouble all of the time for her careless errors. Then one day they got word the revolutionaries were on their way to their farm. They hid as many valuables as possible. After Tita came out of hiding, she immediately became even more depressed to not hear the cooing of the doves. But, was surprised to find one small baby dove, which she is now taking care of (almost as if it were Roberto). It is the only thing that keeps her spirits up!
Tita is struggling with the life she has been denied. Which brings us back to the original question, what does it take to find oneself? At this point Tita is lost. It is possible that a nervous breakdown, runaway, or suicide will be coming within the next chapter. She needs someone to guide her to a path of purpose. She only knows this life of being forced to work to support her mother, who she hates. Any revolt, of any sort, would lead to being beaten. Tita must get out of that house. I wish that Tita and Pedro could find each other and runaway, but this is unrealistic. Not all love stories are like what you see in the movies. I hope soon Tita realizes what she needs to do to discover her true self!
