Chronicle of Tita's Life: Love, Loss, and Family
January: The account begins with Auntie's birth, her growth, and her first experience of love. However, her mother did not accept the suitor because she was the youngest daughter. Tradition dictated that the youngest daughter must care for her mother and therefore could not marry. Aunt's mother decided that Rosaura, Tita's older sister, would marry the suitor.
February: Rosaura married Pedro, who was in love with Tita. Tita was devastated, wishing she could have married Pedro. Tita and Nacha were in charge of preparing the dishes and sandwiches for the wedding. Their experience was crucial for the wedding day when Pedro asked for Rosaura's hand. During the wedding, Aunt congratulated her sister, and Pedro said, "Aren't you going to congratulate me? I knew it was time to tell you that I am sure this wedding will bring me closer to the woman I truly love."
March: Pedro gave roses to both Auntie and Rosaura. Their mother, Elena, noticed this. Elena glared at Auntie, implying she should throw away the roses, but Auntie refused. That month, she created a recipe. Her sister Gertrude fled with John, a soldier.
April: This month marked the christening of Roberto, Rosaura and Pedro's son. During the event, Auntie, feeling hunger, decided to breastfeed Roberto. No one knew she nursed Roberto, which further united Tita and Pedro.
May: Pedro and Rosaura moved to Texas. Tita was tormented by memories and made mistakes, such as when she was preparing Elena's bath. Felipe, who had been sent to check on Pedro and Rosaura, arrived and informed them that Roberto had died.
Life's Trials and Tribulations
June: Tita went to live with Dr. Brown, having fought with her mother over her severe orders.
July: When Tita was a child, Chencha gave her oxtail soup, which became a favorite dish. Tita returned to the ranch because bandits had attacked, and Chencha had been raped. Her mother was partially paralyzed from the waist down. Tita prepared the same oxtail soup, but her mother spat it out. That month, Tita was pregnant with Pedro's child.
August: Esperanza, Rosaura and Pedro's daughter, was born. Rosaura was unable to breastfeed. Tita helped feed Esperanza. Tita did not want to be the mother of that child because Roberto's death still hurt. With teas and atoles, Esperanza grew healthy amidst the scents and flavors of the warm paradise. Rosaura tried to recover as soon as possible because she felt they were taking her daughter away. The girl cried whenever she felt Tita's presence. John arrived this month to ask for Aunt Elena's hand, as his mother had died. Pedro was the only man in the house and accepted their marriage.
October: Tita felt deeply in love with Pedro. One day, Auntie experienced chest pain and a swollen belly, suffering greatly until she menstruated and found relief.
November: Tita called off the wedding with John, saying, "When you're not here, I think I'm in love with who I want, but when I see you, everything changes. With you, I feel calm, secure, at peace."
December: Tita and Chencha had to peel walnuts for a wedding banquet for a thousand guests. Pedro could not sleep, tormented by jealousy at the thought of his sister-in-law. Tita finished cleaning the remaining nuts on a table. Rosaura had died a year prior and could not attend the wedding. The wedding of Esperanza and Alex was Tita's greatest triumph. At that time, Pedro serenaded her, causing a major scandal. Afterward, he was burned all over his body, and Gertrudis wrapped him with a piece of her skirt.