Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish: Chapters 16–22

by Pablo Cartaya
After 14-year-old Marcus gets into a fight at school, his mom decides to take him to Puerto Rico, where Marcus searches for his absentee father.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–7, Chapters 8–11, Chapters 12–15, Chapters 16–22
30 words 48 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. carefree
    without trouble or worry
    I still don’t understand what has made my mom so adventurous. Back home she’s always rushing around, stressing, working double shifts. A few days here and she seems carefree. Like nothing has ever bothered her in her life.
  2. makeshift
    done or made using whatever is available
    A few people start grooving on the makeshift dance floor, which inspires Angela and Hilda to leave the bar area.
  3. commotion
    a disorderly outburst or tumult
    In all this commotion, I don’t notice Sergio approach.
  4. plantation
    an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale
    “That used to be a sugar plantation,” Sergio says. “One of the biggest in the nineteenth century. Much of this area is a nature reserve now.”
  5. reserve
    a district that is set aside for a particular purpose
    “That used to be a sugar plantation,” Sergio says. “One of the biggest in the nineteenth century. Much of this area is a nature reserve now.”
  6. waft
    blow gently
    When we approach, a smell like I’ve never sniffed before wafts up my nose. I take a deep breath in.
  7. eclectic
    selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
    “Tío Pepe has eclectic taste,” Sergio explains.
  8. sentimental
    marked by tender, romantic, or nostalgic emotion
    He doesn’t say it quietly enough, though, and María overhears him. “Don’t start getting sentimental, Papá.”
  9. ramble
    continue talking or writing in a purposeless manner
    He turns to me and starts rambling in Spanish.
    “Sorry,” I say. “No hablo español.”
  10. strut
    walk in a proud, confident way
    Charlie comes out in a tank top, sunglasses, and slicked-back hair. He’s strutting around, barefoot.
  11. frantically
    in an uncontrolled manner
    “We may need to wait a little bit,” he says, frantically trying to clear the smoke.
  12. prognosis
    a prediction of the course of a disease
    “An excellent prognosis, Doctor.”
    Charlie beams at being called a doctor.
  13. fare
    the sum charged for riding in a public conveyance
    The little bus starts up. My mom hands Sergio some money for the fare.
  14. reckless
    marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
    I grab the safety bar above me and hold on for dear life. This guy is reckless.
  15. reek
    smell badly and offensively
    Inside, the taxi reeks of really powerful cologne. It makes me nauseous.
  16. nauseous
    feeling about to vomit
    Inside, the taxi reeks of really powerful cologne. It makes me nauseous.
  17. fleck
    a small contrasting part of something
    I open the window to look at the bright red flowers with yellow flecks in the middle lining the long driveway.
  18. dismissive
    showing indifference or disregard
    “Charlie, don’t stand so close to the TV, man. You’re going to get a headache.”
    He waves his hand dismissively at me and continues watching.
  19. grudgingly
    in a reluctant manner
    My mom asks the guy behind the desk if he can page my father. He grudgingly picks up the phone and starts dialing.
  20. elaborate
    marked by complexity and richness of detail
    My dad swipes at a few doors with a card. They open to rooms with even more elaborate designs. There is a ballroom, a fitness center, even a library.
  21. lucrative
    producing a sizeable profit
    “Sergio is a good guy, but he never strikes out on his own. He’s always asking Darma for advice. I take action. Anyway, that life is too slow for me,” he says. “Puerto Rico’s tourism industry is way more lucrative than its agriculture.”
  22. concierge
    a caretaker in an apartment complex or hotel
    He’s about to speak again, but I interrupt him in the middle of his bit about twenty-four-hour concierge service.
  23. fend
    try to manage without help
    "...And I’m probably going to get expelled from school and Charlie is going to be left alone to fend for himself and my mom will have to keep working extra shifts just to cover the basic bills. And in all of this...where have you been?”
  24. contradiction
    opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas
    It’s an island in the middle of the ocean where people speak English and Spanish and sometimes a mix of both. It’s full of contradictions. The people here can serve in the US military but can’t vote for president.
  25. currency
    the metal or paper medium of exchange that is presently used
    Where they play the same sports as we do back in Springfield. Have the same passport. The same currency. It’s part of the same country.
  26. brisk
    imparting vitality and energy
    We walk outside, and the brisk air and gray sky remind me that we’re back home.
  27. exonerate
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
    He says he’s going to hold rallies at the school until they—dang, he uses big words—"exonerate me of all wrongdoing.”
  28. obsession
    an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something
    “Please save me from myself,” he says. "I have an obsession with Clash of Clams. I can’t stop playing it.”
  29. exotic
    characteristic of another place or part of the world
    This post-Puerto Rico Mom is fierce. Who knew beautiful weather, old architecture, a gorgeous countryside, and exotic fruits and vegetables could do that to a person?
  30. bodega
    small shop selling groceries, especially in a Hispanic area
    I like to visit the bodega next to the train and say hola to the lady at the counter.
Created on Fri Dec 20 21:27:48 EST 2019 (updated Thu Jan 09 16:07:32 EST 2020)

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