The Three Heartbreaks of Belicia Cabral

The title to the third chapter very accurately describes the text you are about to read. “The Three Heartbreaks of Belicia Cabral.” (Pg. 77) Upon reading this chapter your mind can only be filled with terrible thoughts of the unfortunate and under-qualified parenting and person that Belicia Cabral is. Although, after reading the over-hopeful love, struggle and broken dreams Belicia has endured one can only feel sadness and pity for this woman who was once so full of dreams.
Born in Bani, Belicia Cabral was raised by La Inca who could otherwise be known as her savior. Before La Inca took Belicia into her care, “our orphaned girl had lived with another foster family, monstrous people if the rumors are to be believed, a dark period of her life.” (Pg 78) Ever since an early age Belicia always had aspirations for a different life, she could never find herself happy with La Inca; always dreaming of a rich husband and children to satisfy her. Living in the Dominican Republic under the rule of the man accused of having a hand in killing her parents, Belicia wanted to escape “but where she wanted to escape to she could not tell you.” (Pg. 80)
Belicia met her first love in her early teen years at the El Redentor. “Jack Pujols of course; the school’s handsomest boy, a haughty slender melniboien of pure European stock.” (Pg. 89) At thirteen the only boy Belicia ever dreamt of being with was Jack, but it was until Belicia grew into the beautiful women she was destined to be did Jack even glance at her. Before you knew it Belicia lost her virginity and the great rebellion against La Inca began. “I will not serve. Never again would she follow any lead other than her own. Not the rector’s, not the nun’s, not La Inca’s, not her poor dead parents’. Only me she whispered.” (Pg. 103) Jack eventually moved on and the first heartbreak was felt with full force, taking her much time to get over.
“There it was the Decision That Changed Everything.” (Pg. 113) What was this decision you ask? His name was the Gangster and he brought the fuku over Belicia’s life. Belicia fell hard for the Gangster and soon all she could think about and want was him. La Inca disapproved of their visits to the love hotel, and we would soon find out for a good reason. The Gangster spoiled Belicia giving her dreams of a better life and the escape from Bani and all her terrible past. “He made her feel guapa and wanted and safe, and no one had ever done that for her.” (Pg. 127) Too bad this was only a lie, what he really gave her was trouble and a beating that almost sent her to an early grave. The Gangster failed to mention he was married, married to Trujillo’s sister, and Belicias pregnancy did not sit well with her. Belicia then found her life in risk, receiving a beating warning her to stay away from the Gangster forever. “It was the sort of beating that breaks people, breaks them utterly.” (Pg. 147)
With Trujillo’s people after Belicia, La Inca encouraged her to move to America saving her from the danger of the Dominican Republic. She boarded a plane still hoping the Gangster would come and save her, still with dreams of the life she hoped to one day live. What she didn’t know was “that the man next to her would end up being her husband and the father of her two children, that after two years together he would leave her, her third and final heartbreak, and she will never love again.” (Pg., 164)