The final section of Diaz’s Ordinary Girls flashes forward to times where Diaz seems settled. She still deals with depression and unresolved trauma that comes up sporadically, but she seems to have a handle on functioning as an adult. She has a home, at one point she and Cheito have a big townhouse together, she moves out and lives on her own, and she is making enough money to support herself and her family.

Diaz cuts off contact from her mother and Miami Beach for an extended period of time. Her mother suffers greatly in this time, as she sinks deeper into her mental illness and addiction. When Diaz returns home after Mercy dies, she barely recognizes her mother. Diaz needed to to cut off her mom to move forward, but it’s clear her mother suffers greatly with no one to keep her accountable. Mercy dies after overdosing on pills, as she said she would several other times. I wonder how much influence Mercy’s suicidal threats had on Diaz as a young girl, and if it played a part in Diaz’s suicide attempts as a child. The reader now has a better idea of how an eleven year old would even know what suicide is, let alone how to attempt it.

The theme of colonialism is underlying throughout the book, but is more prevalent in this section than in previous ones. Diaz writes about Lolita Lebrón, an independentista who, when her comrades backed down, stood up for her beliefs and the people of Puerto Rico fighting against colonialism by shooting up Congress. She obviously does not succeed in achieving independence and is sent to prison, but 50 years later is featured as a headline. I think Diaz can relate to feeling as if the whole world was against her. Diaz’s life and the entire political landscape of Puerto Rico would be radically different, had Lorita Lebrón succeeded.

Overall, this section provides some form of closure to the reader and a sense that Diaz will be okay. She seems to be adjusted and has no willingness to relive or return to the habits and trauma of her youth.