As Macario’s condition worsens, his and Allos’s childhood roles reverse. Now, Allos cares for him and reads to him from Thomas Wolfe. Allos decides to locate Amado. If Macario dies, he wants them to have reconciled first. But to find Amado he must go into the Filipino criminal underworld. He learns that the gangs have far more influence over daily Filipino life than he ever would have guessed. Allos decides he must leave Los Angeles for good. He saves two months’ worth of money to pay for Macario’s care and food.

On a train to Bakersfield, Allos thinks of how young and strong he was in the past, and how frail and ill he now feels. In Bakersfield, he finds Amado in a gambling house. He looks old, haggard, and unwell.

The next morning Allos tells him about Macario's illness. Amado says he will go to Los Angeles and get a job to help with expenses. Although Allos once hated Amado, now he only feels pity for him.