Analyzing Tomas’s Thoughts, Actions, and Feelings in "Visitors"

“Mama, can I wait for Rita and Isaac to get here?” Tomas asked.

Mama shook her head. “No, your cousins will be here at 10:30. You may not stay up that late. You will see them in the morning.”

“But, Mama, they are coming all the way from Mexico. I don’t want to be asleep when they get here.” Tomas hung his head sadly.

Mama shook her head again and said, “Put your schoolbooks away and get ready for bed now.”

Tomas put his books away very slowly. He decided to sharpen his pencils. He took a long time to get a really sharp point on every pencil. He put them in his pencil case.

Tomas went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. He carefully squeezed toothpaste onto his toothbrush and took his time to brush every tooth until it was shiny. Very slowly, he changed into his yellow striped pajamas. He drank a big glass of cool water.

Tomas looked at the time. It was only 8:15.

Tomas got into bed and Mama kissed him good night.

I will just stay awake, Tomas thought to himself. When I hear my cousins at the door, I will get up to say hello.

But soon, Tomas’s eyelids began to feel heavy.