Father Rafael is 48 years old, a post office worker. Mother Elena is 45, an elementary school teacher. The eldest son Diego is 19, studying engineering in college. The younger daughter Sofia is 16, a high school student.
Dinner is bean soup, tortillas, and a little chicken.
There is less chicken than before, but Elena skillfully chops it up and mixes it with the beans, making it appear quite abundant.
As the news begins, Rafael looks up and puts down his fork.
"Here we go again," he mutters, "every day it's news about the war."
"Dad, don't say that," Diego stares at the TV, "those are our soldiers fighting hard on the front line."
"I know they are fighting hard."
Rafael sighs, "But what is the result of fighting hard? Prices keep going up, your mom's school even has to save on chalk. Last week, our neighbor Mr. Rodriguez was laid off, his factory said 'Imported materials are cut off.'"
Elena softly says, "Rafael, let's eat first."
