The Boundaries of Their Dwelling

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Moving between the American South and Mexico, these stories delve into how immigrant and native characters are influenced by absent family and geography. A Chilanga teen wins a trip to Miami for a reality show about family while longing for the American brother she has never met. A Louisiana carpenter grapples with his drug-addicted son while repairing his home after hurricanes. A New Orleans ne'er-do-well opens a Catholic-themed bar following his devout mother's death. A village girl from Chiapas baptizes her infant on her journey to the U.S. border. The collection's latter half follows Manuel, a drifter from Veracruz, and his estranged American son, Tommy, as they navigate separate nations and personal tragedies over decades. Manuel participates in student protests in Mexico City in 1968 before dropping out to pursue art. After immigrating to Louisiana in the 70s, he leaves his wife and infant son behind when his art shop fails. Meanwhile, Tommy grows up in 1980s Louisiana, sometimes escaping his mother's watchful eye to play basketball in a dangerous park. In college, he seeks acceptance by writing term papers for teammates. Years later, as Manuel nears death and Tommy reaches middle age, they reconnect, interviewing a former riot policeman about his military days, discovering the significance of carrying each other's stories and memories. With humor and wisdom, these stories explore the complexities of identity in regions