Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses physical abuse, child abuse, anti-LGBTQ+ bias, drug use, and racism.



The Spanish language is a central motif throughout Ogle’s memoir, acting as an important connection to his abuela, who was born and raised in Mexico. The memoir is a bilingual text, which Ogle chooses to emphasize by not italicizing Spanish text. This stylistic choice serves to meld the two languages, English and Spanish, together, emphasizing their connectedness and equal importance to Ogle.

Abuela primarily uses Spanish when speaking with Ogle, interspersing Spanish words and phrases throughout their conversations. Ogle latches on to his Abuela’s first tongue, wanting to speak it as well to better understand the woman whom he loves so dearly: “‘Te amo siempre. What’s it mean again?’ ‘I love you. And I will love you forever’” (4). Ogle stumbles over the pronunciation of te amo siempre, and Abuela practices with him, patiently helping him to enunciate the foreign language. Ogle wants to understand the phrase’s meaning, viewing it as an important way to better understand his abuela.

Despite Ogle’s desire to learn Spanish, he encounters challenges. Ogle’s mother views Spanish as inherently connected to Abuela and their Mexican heritage, which she resents and seeks to distance herself from as an American: “What’s my language?’ ‘You speak English,’ Mom interrupts” (8).