Publisher's Synopsis
This is the continuing story of Marcelino and the Curse of the Gold Frog that ended in 1920. After the family moves to Texas, the responsible men work hard at their jobs, but Tacito and his cantankerous father work hard at avoiding jobs and creating their own style of mischief and chaos, much of which borders on lunacy.
The family has many good and bad experiences during this time. Ramona and Tacito's ultimate lifelong friendship also begins to develop. He takes on the role of protector, advisor and confidant for the young girl.
After moving to Austin, Tacito views relocation as a great challenge. He lives separate from Marcelino's family and makes his own living. Late in his life, he marries for the first time and has a daughter. Tragedy befalls the young girl and also claims the life of his wife. Deep, dark depression engulfs him until Ramona enters his life again.
Ramona takes Tacito into her home. He quickly adjusts to his new surroundings and becomes his old self. Gone much of the time and supposedly just roaming around Austin, he's always home for supper. Ramona demands to know what he is doing and after learning of his escapades, a confrontation leads to Tacito moving out of the house.
Tacito gets himself in serious trouble by refusing to follow his doctor's orders. Ramona is now tasked with the arduous chore of keeping the elderly man off the streets. Conflicts develop which lands him in a nursing home.
After Tacito's death, Ramona learns the surprising truth of why her dear friend wouldn't stay at home. Her time of mourning is short-lived. Her biological father is now on his deathbed requesting her presence. She refuses, as she has despised him her entire life for what he allowed to happen to her mother. Ramona must now find a way to put to rest years of animosity...
...before the bell that tolls the loudest chimes no more.
