Big Angel wakes up late on the morning of his mother’s funeral. He feels his body running out of time. He sees the ghost of his father on the end of the bed, smoking a cigar, and then vanishing. Big Angel wakes up his wife and daughter, who fly into chaos preparing themselves for the funeral. Big Angel, who is terminally ill and can’t move well anymore, waits for his family to dress him and brush his hair. He reflects on his work ethic and his need to avoid living on “Mexican time.” At work he insisted on the title El Jefe, the boss, though it also translates to the father. He recalls the many decades his family has lived in California. His grandfather, Don Segundo, crossed the border with his injured wife on the back of his horse at the end of World War I. Big Angel feels overwhelmed with emotion at these thoughts while watching his wife and daughter ready themselves for the day. 

As the family prepares for the funeral of Mamá América, perspective shifts between Big Angel; Minnie, his daughter; and