Immigration
The basis of the story is that Lydia and Luca are trying to escape from Javier, as he has put a hit on them. As such, they try to run to the US where they believe they will find safety. However, the journey is treacherous, and they have many obstacles to face as they cross the border.
Motherhood
After the death of her entire family, and the loss of her husband, the only family Lydia has left is her son, Luca. She goes to extreme lengths to protect him from being killed by Javier’s men, including tying to travel with him on the deadly migrant freight trains. Everything she does throughout the book is so that her son has a safe and better life in the U.S.
Friendship
On their travels, Lydia befriends a pair of sisters, Soledad and Rebeca, who become like family. When the sisters are raped, Lydia does everything she can to get them out of their situation. She pays off their tolls and the sisters secure passage for Lydia and Luca. In the end, they all make it to the U.S and live happily as a family.
