Summary

Eddie is trying to make a life in Fresno, but, like many other young Mexican Americans, he's not finding it easy. His father, his best friend, and now his cousin are all dead---victims of the buried violence that gives Fresno its sorrowful aura. His aunt and his friends are urging him to avenge his cousin's murder. But Eddie doesn't want revenge. He doesn't want another death. He doesn't want those onions, buried under the ground, to draw any more tears from his people... Eddie is the main character or protagonist of the novel. He is 19 years old and has lived his entire life in the barrio of Fresno. He is a person of good morals, claiming that he does not even curse because he believes it is wrong. There was a time in his life when he was younger when he "huffed," or sniffed things like glue and paint fumes to get high. He is not that kind of person anymore, though, and desires to rise above the slums he inherited. **Jesus**: Eddie's dead "primo" (cousin) **Dolores**: Eddie's "tia" (aunt) **Jose**: Eddies best friend **Angel**: Jesus "carnal" (blood brother) **Mr. Stiles**: Eddie's boss and mentor **Coach**: Eddie's childhood coach and another one of his mentors