Bathroom

Today, I tell my students about how, growing up, I shared a bathroom with my siblings. We were beginning House on Mango Street.
"When we read House on Mango Street, we have to understand that the details are sometimes showing us something that the author does not say directly. For example, why does the main character want her dream house to have three bathrooms?"
Ricardo Zuniga offers, "Because right now her house only has one bathroom?"
"Exactly. Now, what is she trying to show us with this comparison?"
(Blank stares)
"When I was in high school, I shared a bathroom with 3 siblings. While I was taking a shower, my little sisters were brushing their teeth. Then I would yell, 'I'm getting out!' and they would run out of the bathroom and close the door while I got out and put a towel on and then they would run back in to continue brushing their teeth but then my brother would have to pee, so they would run out again, still brushing their teeth and he would pee and then let them back in so they could finally spit. Then, they started washing their faces, but by this time I was dressed and wanted to brush my teeth. So, you have three girls at the bathroom counter. Two are washing their faces and the third one is trying to spit. My brother can't brush his teeth yet, so he has to wait until his sisters are finished before he can come in and do his thing, which he does, at the end, five minutes after we had to leave."
Ricardo is giggling uncontrollably by now.
"So, this sharing the bathroom thing--it was rather (pause) tight. Have you ever done something that made you feel tense? When you are tense, you wish that things were--"
Ricardo finishes for me, "Easier."
"Yes."
Yes.