Trouble

This chapter describes the other women in Gaspar Ortega's life. His wife Ida learned that Gaspar had begat another child, and even worse, that his parents and siblings had known about the other woman and had purposely kept it a secret from her. The other woman's name was Dalila Perez, who first met Gaspar during the Independence Day celebration in Tijuana on September 15, 1956. Gaspar also became involved with legendary Mexican singer Amalia Mendoza when he was just starting to date Ida. Affairs would be ongoing throughout Gaspar's marriage. When Ida found something out, Gaspar would always come to her, crying for forgiveness. He had been raised Catholic, and he knew that adultery was a sin. Yet he constantly faced adoring women who threw themselves at him. He could never seem to turn them away. Though Ida inevitably forgave him his transgressions, she made it clear that if Gaspar ever decided to leave her and the kids for another woman, he would not be welcome back in her house.