Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

“Fear is your body trying to tell your brain what to do. But the brain is the king of the body. It calls the shots.”

Papi gives Sal this advice after Sal’s mother dies. Sal’s reliance on this quote illustrates his approach to life. Sal refuses to be cowed by the circumstances surrounding him. Despite bullies and even his diabetes, Sal uses his brain to overcome the obstacles surrounding him.

“One of the quickest ways you can tell if an adult is quality people is if they’ll apologize to a kid when they’re wrong. Principal Torres was someone I could work with.”

Sal, a magician and a teenager, constantly needs to gauge his audience. In this exchange, one of his first extended conversations with Principal Torres, Sal finds the principal worthy. Principal Torres continues to impress Sal and the other students of Culeco as the story progresses.

“When I lean back into life like that, it’s like I can hear it. Life, so you know, sounds like the snoring that would rumble in your ear if you were resting on the belly of a sleeping giant […] The giant likes you, has been your friend since the day you were born. Will even do you favors, if you know how to ask.”

These liners are the first time Sal explains how his powers work. He uses a form of guided meditation and asks for help. Whether there is an intermediary force helping Sal or if the giant is simply a manifestation of his desires remains unclear.

“I only say things that are true. At the time. They might not always have been true, and they may not be true in the future, but they are true when I say them.”

This excuse helps Sal to justify his behavior. Sal explains his rationalizations, insisting that he is telling the truth, though he acknowledges that he is omitting information. As the story progresses, Sal regrets his tendency to avoid consequences and endeavors to stop making excuses.

“We actors are never supposed to say ‘no.’ We are supposed to build on whatever we’re given.”

Sal’s acting advice serves as a metaphor for resilience. People cannot refuse the chaos the universe throws at them; they can only make the best of it. Sal employs this advice throughout the story, accepting and working with challenges rather than avoiding them.

“Fact: All I wanted was for me and all three of my parents to live together like one big happy weird family.

Fact: That was impossible.

Fact: A part of me I had no control over kept ripping up the universe to bring Mami Muerta back to me anyway.”

The story references Sal’s Mami Muerta several times, but this is the first time Sal explains who she is and why he brings her. Sal’s longing for his mother and desire to live with all three parents sometimes overwhelm his rational brain, an issue that powerfully indicates The Importance of Dealing with Grief. Although Sal knows his wish is impossible, his urges prove difficult to control, and he inadvertently rips holes in the universe.

“When I woke up, Mami Muerta was gone. But everything she had broken in our family remained broken.”

The most traumatic Mami Muerta incident involved her becoming enraged on meeting American Stepmom, Papi’s new wife. In destroying an important picture of herself with Sal, Mami Muerta cut herself badly. This incident, which serves as a metaphorical manifestation of the consequences of failing to deal with grief, prompts the family to move to Miami. Although that Mami Muerta vanishes after the incident, Sal never truly deals with his grief or the consequences of his actions.

“‘What’s confusing? You have a bunch of papis. Awesome. I mean, I’m not sure how you can survive all their dad jokes, but that’s your business.’

I didn’t know it then, but that was the moment Gabi became my friend for real. Months later, she told me the way I met her interesting, complicated family, pleasantly and without judgement, and especially my dad-joke joke, made her think I was the most mature seventh grader she had ever met.”

This moment marks the beginning of Sal’s friendship with Gabi, demonstrating The Foundations of Friendship. Namely, Sal illustrates understanding, empathy, and respect. As the characters navigate the challenges ahead, this bond will become a source of strength and support for both.

“They’re pranks. They’re funny. And so I guess I thought that’s how fear works. It lasts for a few seconds, then you laugh, then you plot revenge. Everyone has a good time.”

Here, Sal makes excuses for his behavior yet again. However, this quote marks a turning point in his understanding of himself. Sal exhibits empathy, grasping that Gabi’s view of his prank differs significantly from his intent. This shift in mindset contributes to a deepening of their friendship as Sal begins to recognize the impact of his actions on others.

“I didn’t let my brain talk me out of it. I did the right thing before I could make up excuses […] I make up excuses. I got to work on that. I mean, we’re performers, you and me. Our whole life is making ourselves look good. But this time? What I did was too terrible. I had to make it right, no matter how bad it made me look. As fast as I could.”

Sal’s conversation with Yasmany marks a turning point in their relationship. Sal explains how and why he apologized to Gabi in such a public manner, solidifying Yasmany’s positive view of him. In this interaction, Sal also reflects further on his tendency to make excuses and resolves to address and rectify this behavior.

“Emotion literally changes your eyesight. I would have to remember that.”

Sal approaches detention pessimistically, viewing the glass-enclosed room as a cage. However, to his surprise, Culeco’s detention is a beautiful and supportive environment. This experience forces Sal to realize that his negativity influenced his perception of the space. Consequently, Sal resolves to be more aware of this tendency.

“Gabi, I was noticing, was a very forgiving person. I’ve noticed sometimes smart people aren’t. They’re more interested in being right, being on top, and they think that means crushing the competition with their huge brains. But Gabi didn’t need to put others down to raise herself up.”

Sal characterizes Gabi, acknowledging her intelligence and self-confidence. He observes and appreciates her kindness and forgiveness, emphasizing that, unlike some intelligent individuals who prioritize being right and dominant, Gabi does not need to belittle others to elevate herself.

“‘I’m scared,’ I said, not looking up, working steadily, doing my job.

‘I know,’ he said. ‘But there’s good news, too. You can fix the universe.’”

While Sal has been able to manipulate the multiverse for three years, this instance marks the first where he openly admits that it scares him. The quote not only highlights the supportive nature of Sal’s father, who comforts Sal rather than judging or dismissing his fear, but also revisits the question of responsibility. Sal acknowledges that he may inadvertently disrupt the universe, but it is equally his responsibility to rectify the situation.

“One of the ways you know if an adult has been broken by life is if they never laugh anymore. Principal Torres? That woman bellowed. I mean, she laughed like the Loch Ness monster would, if it existed.”

Joy in the face of adversity is a recurring theme in the narrative. Principal Torres retains the ability to laugh and find joy despite facing overwhelming sadness. Sal astutely observes that individuals broken by life often lose this capacity for laughter.

“I love it when adults remember to behave themselves. They forget all the time. Hard to blame them, though. They haven’t been kids for a long while.”

This quote suggests that the responsibilities and challenges of adulthood may make it difficult for individuals to retain the lightheartedness and spontaneity of youth. Additionally, adults often forget that they are not the center of everyone’s world, a fact that children face regularly. Sal appreciates that his and Gabi’s families meet each other without egos getting in the way.

“‘You don’t have to tell me it’s going to be okay, Gabi. I’ve been in hospitals a lot. When people lie to make you feel better, you feel worse […] None of this should be happening to Iggy. I feel sad, and angry, and powerless.’

‘Powerless,’ Gabi repeated. The way she said it made me open my eyes […] ‘That’s why I’m so wrecked inside. So…pissed off. I want to fix this so bad.’”

Gabi, typically a whirlwind of words, grapples with articulating her fear and grief surrounding Iggy’s illness. Sal aids her in initiating an open conversation about their shared feelings of powerlessness and the inherent unfairness of the situation. This quote marks another pivotal moment in their relationship and deepens their mutual understanding.

“Oh […] This is how it happened […] How you broke the universe […] no, not broke. Broke through. To other universes. To see your mami again.”

This quote captures a moment of realization and understanding as Gabi reflects on Sal’s actions in manipulating the multiverse in reference to her own grief. Accordingly, it blends the theme of The Implications of the Multiverse with the theme of The Importance of Dealing with Grief. The choice of words, emphasizing “broke through” instead of “broke,” suggests a shift in perspective, highlighting exploration and connection with alternate realities rather than mere destruction. This moment marks a crucial insight into Sal’s motivations and the profound implications of his interactions with the multiverse. It also marks a moment of understanding between Sal and Gabi as they share their grief.

“Sometimes, when it’s too hard, when it hurts too much, only silliness can save us.”

This quote reflects Sal’s coping mechanism for emotional pain and difficulty. Sal turns to silliness and humor as escapism or distraction from the realities of life. For Sal, embracing a lighthearted and humorous approach becomes a survival strategy when he is confronted with overwhelming challenges or emotional distress. The quote speaks to the therapeutic power of laughter and playfulness in alleviating the weight of difficult situations and providing a temporary respite from pain. It also summarizes Hernandez’s writing style, as the author often uses humor to approach challenging topics.

“Yasmany was not all right. I had no idea how bad his day had been. But jokes and food and attempted wedgies all helped. It would get us to tomorrow, anyway.”

Sal recognizes that Yasmany is going through a tough time, even though the specifics remain unclear. Rather than dwelling on the details of his friend’s challenges, Sal directs his attention toward helping Yasmany endure the night. Employing food, a motif indicating love and affection within the narrative, along with support and humor, Sal and the families offer assistance freely. This act of generosity is also a manifestation of resilience, which, at times, is simply about navigating a day at a time.

“When you do a slow, careful job like this one, the whole world seems to shrink and calm down, and suddenly life makes a simple kind of sense.”

During this slow and careful activity, Sal finds clarity and simplicity. The task provides a sense of order and meaning, offering a reprieve from the usual challenges and uncertainties surrounding Sal and the families. The quote emphasizes the therapeutic nature of activities that demand careful attention and concentration, providing a mental space where the intricacies of life become more manageable and comprehensible. Overall, the quote reflects the calming and grounding effects of mindfulness and deliberate focus in coping with grief.

“Don’t let the awkward silence fool you. Everybody here is behind you. You get to be whoever you want to be in your own time. You do you.”

An awkward comment from Sal leads Lightning Dad to soothe with this quote. Individuality and identity are intricate parts of the story. Lightning Dad explains that finding one’s identity can take time, but offers support nonetheless. The reassurance that “Everybody here is behind you” underscores the support and acceptance throughout the narrative. It implies a community that embraces and encourages individuals to explore and express their true selves without judgment.

“The baby in your arms? He’s one of a kind. There’s no Iggy in the multiverse quite like him.”

Through years of navigating an infinite multiverse, Sal has discovered that each person is unique and irreplaceable. Sal’s attempt to communicate this fact to Gabi during her moment of grief adds emotional depth to the narrative. In the face of loss and desperation, Sal is emphasizing the precious and unique nature of each person, indicating his growth as a character.

“‘It might not work Gabi […] You’ll be so heartbroken if it doesn’t work. I should know. I’m still heartbroken. My mami died, and my heart has never healed…’

‘Sal, how much worse would you have felt if you hadn’t done everything in your power to save your mama?’”

The dialogue between Sal and Gabi captures a moment of vulnerability and fear for Sal. Sal expresses his hesitation, rooted in the fear of potential failure and the accompanying heartbreak. His personal experience with his mother’s death has left a lasting impact on him, and he is hesitant to risk causing similar pain to Gabi. Gabi provides a counterpoint, challenging Sal’s fear by highlighting the importance of trying and encouraging him to confront his fears and act. Gabi’s support and encouragement are key to helping Sal and emphasizes the growth of their friendship.