The news that the war is over brings great happiness to the Márez family; immediately María lights many candles, allows Ultima to burn incense, and insists that the whole family pray rosary after rosary together. The memory of the long prayer sessions segue into one of Antonio's dreams: He is at the river, where he hears the voices of his " lost brothers" saying that they are coming home from beyond the land of their father's dreams (California), from the land of the golden carp (the Far East). They ask Antonio for his hand, his "saving hand"—and then, suddenly, with a crash, their "dark figures" tower above him. Antonio wakes in a fright and runs out into the cold night, where he sees his brothers cresting the hill, coming homeward.
Once more, the family is united. María is happy that Miss Maestas praises Antonio and that, once more, she can cook for the "lost sons" even though Gabriel talks continually of his dream to move the family to California. Winter comes soon, and happiness fades in the Márez household. Antonio's brothers sleep during the day and, at night, drink, play billiards, and spend many hours at Rosie's whorehouse, incurring many debts. One of the brothers, León, has terrifying nightmares, and Ultima tends to him. Moody and restless, the brothers soon realize that they weren't meant to put down roots in this village. Their father's dream is unrealistic, while their mother's dream seems very realistic: Tony will become a priest, or a farmer, like the Lunas. They jostle and toss little Tony and teasingly ask him for his blessing before they strike out to seek their destinies elsewhere. Tony eagerly says that he will bless them—and they spank him and toss him on top of the chicken coop before they disappear down the road toward Rosie's, where they'll say goodbye to the girls. Instinctively, Antonio knows that they will become lost again. He longs to bless them—one more time.
