It introduces us to Anita, a 12-year-old girl living in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s. Her family is wealthy and connected to the government, but tension and uncertainty are in the air. Anita's uncle has been mysteriously absent for months, and members of the secret police seem to be constantly watching their family. Anita's family's housekeeper, Chucha, a wise old woman, warns her that "the butterflies" are coming, a metaphor for the political turmoil and violence that will soon engulf their country. Anita's happy and sheltered life is about to be shattered by the harsh realities of dictatorship and revolution.

Anita's father receives a mysterious letter that he keeps secret from the rest of the family, and Anita and her siblings become curious about its contents. Meanwhile, Anita's mother becomes increasingly worried about the political situation in the Dominican Republic and the safety of their family. Anita's cousin, Carla, has already moved to New York City, and Anita is not sure she wants to leave their home in the Dominican Republic. The chapter ends with Anita wondering what the future holds for her family, and what the mysterious letter might mean.

Anita's mother is still worried about the political situation in the Dominican Republic, and her anxiety increases when she hears about a raid on a nearby neighborhood. Anita and her friend Sammy, who attends the same school as her, sneak out of the house to see what is happening, and they witness the raid firsthand. The experience is terrifying for Anita, and she is left feeling even more afraid for the safety of her family. The chapter ends with Anita's mother announcing that they will be having a family meeting to discuss their plans for the future.