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achitka · 2 months

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Doors (Chapter 47) Meanwhile

Hello.

So as the title of this chapter says... meanwhile...

Just needed to catch up with a few folks I've lost track of... Anyway, Alma is tired. Bruno is just being Bruno. Mira just can't seem to shut out her intrusive thoughts. Bubo's Tío is not at all sure he's making the right decision and Isabela is a bit miffed, being the oldest is such a pain sometimes.

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Meanwhile...

Alma was now sitting by herself as Rodrigo was speaking with José a few meters away. Julieta’s handling of the newcomers had been just about flawless. When she told her about Doris’s reaction to being unknowingly magically healed, Alma agreed with her daughter’s assessment that the Doctor should be there. Spending the entire day in the plaza handing out pieces of herself was something Alma never appreciated how wearing it was for her daughter. Though she doubted Julieta would ever deny anyone healing, it was a good thing that she was learning to better assess whether people truly needed her magical help.

Casita clattered some floor tiles near Julieta, and Alma looked toward her daughter. The house just said that Tuli had fainted and could she please come to Luisa’s room. Her daughter looked up toward the balcony as she put the photos she was holding back on the table, and she and Agustín headed toward the stairs. Tuli, Alma noted, had been very withdrawn during dinner. Hardly eating and barely taking her eyes off her Tío. Pepa was gone and Bruno had finished looking at the pictures and was now back in the chair he vacated earlier.

Bruno pulled his chair closer as he watched his sister leave and asked her quietly, “Something happen?”

Alma leaned closer and said, “Tuli has fainted, and Juli is going to check on her.”

Bruno nodded and said, “Then she’s in good hands. Ummm, Mamá there’s a photo over there… ”

Alma thought she knew which one he was talking about and asked gently, “The one of the little boy?”

Bruno nodded and Alma said, “It is a picture of my hermanito. He unfortunately passed during an outbreak of cholera when he was almost two. He was the only boy, and my mother wanted at least one picture of him.”

Bruno sat back for a moment then nodded. Alma realized she’d never shared with her children why they were named the way they were. Because they had been forced to flee the night they were born, Alma had relied on the conversations she and Pedro had had before they were born to decide what she would call them. She noticed Bruno was pulling at the sleeve of his ruana. He obviously hadn’t quite gotten over his overuse of his Gift earlier in the day. He looked over at Rodrigo and José and asked, “So, did they say how long they will be in town?”

“Rodrigo said he plans to stay for several weeks. He wants to interview people about what he called the thousand-day war. I am not sure about José, though. Probably a few weeks at best.”

“You think he’ll let Tuli stay here. I don’t think she’d do well any place else.”

“I agree, however, he is her guardian, so we have to respect his decision.”

“I know, I’m just worried she’ll try something desperate.”

Alma nodded and looked past him when Agustín returned. He went over and spoke briefly with José. Rodrigo said something and took the photos José was holding, and left with Agustín in the direction of the stairs. Camilo’s door opened and he and Mirabel came out of his room. Alma got up as Pepa returned and Rodrigo came over as well. He handed the photos to Pepa, thanked them for dinner, then asked them to let José know he would wait for news about Tuli back at the camp. Rodrigo’s non-reaction to this made Alma think this was something that had happened more than once in the past. She noticed Luisa came out of her room at a normal speed, so was probably headed for the kitchen to fetch something for Julieta. Alma headed for the stairs and Pepa caught up after putting away the other photos and grabbing the box. Bruno had already gone somewhere else, that made Alma think that he was trying to ward off a vision, or maybe he just went to the kitchen.

Reaching the top, Alma felt exhausted and gripped the wall for support.

Pepa was now right next to her and asked, “You alright, Mamá? You look a little pale.”

Alma nodded, paused and then shook her head. “I am feeling a bit tired, Pepita.”

Since her illness, Alma was learning she needed to take the Doctor’s warnings about her health very seriously. She took the arm that her daughter offered, and after a moment, they headed toward Luisa’s room. Mirabel and Camilo were lingering there, so Pepa shooed them further down the hall as Luisa returned with a basin and some towels. She came out and joined them as the front door opened. Isa and Bubo came in and headed directly toward the back stairs. Luisa met them and had Bubo go into her room, then once Isabela joined them, they all went to Mirabel’s room to wait for Julieta. Some tiles shifted nearby, and Mirabel said, “The Doctor’s here.”

Dolores appeared in Mira’s room shortly after that, and went to the window where Isabela was standing. Alma hoped her nieta’s date went well, since she’d been so looking forward to it. Bubo Márquez was probably the furthest sort of person Alma would have thought Isa would be interested in, but Alma had to admit, she liked the young man. Isa leaned into Dolores and asked her prima a question, and Dolores replied something very softly. When Isa asked her another question, Dolores nodded, and Isa frowned before giving her prima’s arm a squeeze, then turned and plopped onto the sofa nearby. Dolores remained at the window and sat on the bench watching something outside. Probably Mariano. Alma had concluded that Dolores knew that neither Mariano nor Isabela had wanted the relationship she’d pushed them into, but was unable to say anything. The signs had been there, but Alma had been blind to the obvious for too long.

Luisa picked up a book off a shelf and draped herself over the arms of the overstuffed chair and started reading. Pepa left with Camilo to get the tray in his room and make a snack for Tuli. Pepa mentioned that she’d noticed Tuli had hardly touched her food and thought that could be a part of what had caused Tuli to faint. Mirabel was lingering near the door and Alma indicated she should come with her toward her room, and Mira reluctantly followed.

“This will only take a moment,” Alma said, “I just wanted to let you know that you are doing a wonderful job of looking after Tuli. I can see it was the right decision to put her in your care.” Mirabel’s worried expression faded, and she smiled. Alma gave Mirabel a hug as she added, “I’m going to bed now. I’m sure Tuli is alright, your Tía mentioned she thought Tuli was not eating enough, so she went to make her a snack. Did studying with Camilo go well?”

“Oh yeah, we got through all of it. So, he should do well for his testing tomorrow.”

“That is good news. Good night, Mirabel.”

“Good night, Abuela. So, you want the door shut?”

Alma nodded, so Mirabel left and closed the door behind her. Alma sat on her bed. She’d already decided whatever it was that was bothering her nieta was tied to the breaking, so when Valentina commented on that as she was measuring her for the new clothes, Alma paid attention. She told Alma about how Mira was blindly stacking cookies in her kitchen and was so focused on that task that she was oblivious to everything around her. Valentina was of the mind that after living with their nieta for almost a year, she did not think Mira had come to terms with Casita dying the way that it did. It wasn’t guilt that it had happened, though that was a small part of it, but more the guilt that she’d so ‘easily’ set aside that sorrow to help her family. Fear that it could happen again if she wasn’t hyper-vigilant. This was what was making Mirabel anxious and Casita somewhat unpredictable. Julieta had mentioned that Mira’s sleepwalking was always tied to her anxiety, and Alma could see that anxiety was very tied to herself. Her relationship with Julieta’s youngest child, since the breaking, she thought had been improving. But appearances could be deceiving, and Mirabel seemed reluctant to tell anyone what was bothering her.

Alma realized that Mira was dealing with her loss in a way not unlike what she had done. She’d pushed Pedro’s loss so far down that there was barely enough of her old self left to raise her three babies. She understood how hard it could be to control those parts of yourself. She’d only just gotten settled into her own routines when her children were given their Gifts. This, once again, threw her world into chaos. Alma realized she should have been more willing to ask for help dealing with that new reality, but instead she doubled down. Wanting, no needing, to control everything to keep her babies from harm. Valentina also told Alma in no uncertain terms that she needed to give Mira time and maybe help her find a way to grieve for the loss of her best friend. She was concerned for Mirabel and admonished Alma to not overwhelm the girl with petty day-to-day things.

Alma changed into her bed clothes and Casita turned down the lights as she sat with a blanket in the rocking chair near the window. She was still tired but knew she would not be able to sleep yet, so she looked out over the town as she rubbed the locket she was holding. She did not open it, doing so would only lead to that remembered sadness. Alma paused and thought, perhaps this was what people had been trying to tell her… she looked down at her hands and popped open the latch. Valentina was a very perceptive woman and also added that Alma, too, needed to deal with her own loss if she was going to be able to help Mirabel with hers. She stared at Pedro’s beautiful face and said, “Tomorrow, I will take our children through that yellow door and share the joy you gave me on that day.” In her mind, she saw her husband smile, and this made Alma smile too.

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Mirabel closed her Abuela’s door and quickly went back to her own to see if anything was happening outside of Luisa’s room. She did not want to impose on Dolores just because she was curious. She was still getting used to being ‘in charge’ of anything and knew her prima would tell her if she’d heard something she really needed to know. Isa looked worried as she stared out the window. When they were washing dishes, her sister had said that she and Tuli had a good talk while they were working in the fields. Tuli, it seemed, wanted to learn French because she planned to go to France one day to learn ballet. Isa had offered to teach her what she knew since she learned some French from Abuela when she was younger. Mirabel had learned what Isa knew by lurking in the background during her lessons. Sometimes being invisible had its little perks.

Casita shuffled a tile nearby and Mirabel stepped further back into her room and then heard Luisa’s door open. The Doctor, her mother and Tuli’s Tío came into the hall. The door closed, so Bubo must still be in there. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but what no one knew, except possibly Dolores, was that when Mirabel put a hand on any flat surface, Casita could and would talk to her. It was really just a series of thumps, and Mira always had to really concentrate to understand any of it. Tuli’s Tío, aside from looking mildly irritated, was listening closely to what the Doctor was telling him.

While Casita relayed what was being said, Mirabel knew this was totally eavesdropping, but she just had to know. When she’d given Tuli the Rosary earlier, she felt that disturbing wave of hopelessness she’d noticed before. Tuli needed something and Mirabel was very worried about her honorary hermanita. She needed to think of a way to help her, but she didn’t have a clue as to how she should go about that. She looked over at Luisa, who was watching her from over her book. Mirabel smiled, and her sister cocked an eyebrow at her. Luisa noticed so much more than anyone gave her credit for. She was a lot like their Mamá in that way.

The conversation in the hall had ended, and Dolores moved away from the window and pulled at Luisa’s sleeve. Her sister got up and followed their prima into the hall. As they passed her, Luisa gave her a look that told Mira she knew she was up to something. Mirabel watched them and saw her mother waving to her, so Mira came out of her room to join her sister. Dolores was headed back toward her room and smiled at Mira as she passed her. Mirabel reached her mother and sister and her Mamá said, “Mira, Tuli will be spending tonight in Luisa’s room, so can you head up to the tower and find a nightgown and some clothes for tomorrow?”

Mira nodded and started for the tower stairs. As she neared the top, she realized a light was already on and thought, that's weird. She came into the room to find her Tío Bruno perched atop a mess of once neatly folded clothes, holding a small bundle. He had his eyes closed but did not have his hood up, so probably not a sponty, but she was curious as to what he was doing there. Mirabel couldn’t see everything he had, but it all appeared to be folded neatly. Her Tío had been acting a bit odd since before supper, but maybe he would explain, so she asked tentatively, “Tío?”

Bruno’s eyes popped open, and he said, “Mira! Just the sobrina I was hoping to run into!” His tone sounded unusually restless.

“Okay… ”

He waved for her to come closer, so Mirabel did, and she asked, “You okay Tío?”

“Never better,” he said as if he were not sitting atop a table with clothing piled up beneath him. The silence stretched and Mira said, “Tío, I’m supposed to… ” she pointed to the clothes her uncle was sitting on, and he responded, “I know,” and held out the bundle.

Mirabel took it and asked, “What’s this?”

“Clothes… nightgown… Antonio picked them out,” his said earnestly.

Well, that was why she’d come up there, still… “Isn’t Antonio in bed?” Mirabel asked.

“Yes.”

He said nothing else, and it was still not an answer. Mirabel noticed his hands were twitching a bit as he pulled at the cuffs of his new ruana. He’d already pulled a few threads loose, and Mira resisted the urge to find a pair of scissors.

“Thanks, Tío,” Mirabel said as she started to turn but stopped and looked at him again and asked, “You're sure you’re doing okay?”

He didn’t move for a moment, just stared through her, then abruptly nodded. Mirabel tilted her head and was met with silence, so she headed toward the stairs. As she reached the bottom, she pulled up short to keep from running into her Papá who was carrying a somewhat large box.

“I see your mother has you running errands too, Corazón," he said as she fell into step with him.

Mirabel nodded and said, “Just went to get Tuli some clothes for tomorrow.” Mirabel was somewhat concerned for her Tío and said, "Ummm Pá … Tío Bruno was… ummm… you know, never mind.”

Her Father nodded, but it was clear he was curious. They reached Luisa’s room and Mira knocked, and waited until Casita opened the door for them. Her father looked around, and her mother shrugged at his unspoken question. He set the box inside the door, then left the room, closing the door behind him. Mira noticed then that only her mother, Tuli and Luisa were here, and Mira wondered where Isa, Bubo and his Tío went. She put down her bundle and leaned back into the door with her hands behind her. Casita started telling her something that caused Mirabel to involuntarily let out a bark of laughter. Everyone was now looking at her, so Mira quickly scrunched her hands in front of herself and smiled weakly. Luisa was again looking at her with suspicion, her mother just rolled her eyes, while Tuli just looked confused.

Her mother waved her over, and Mira retrieved the bundle as she stepped away from the door. Tuli got off the bed and Mira handed Tuli the package and said, “There’s a nightgown and some fresh clothes for tomorrow. Luisa usually gets up pretty early, so heads up for that.”

Her mother gave her a look and Mirabel resisted the urge to run into the hall, but her mother then turned to Tuli and said, “Get some rest, and we’ll see how you're feeling in the morning. The school will be reopening tomorrow and since you’ll be staying for a while, Mira will be going with you to get you registered.”

“Will Antonio be going?”

“Yes, but he is in a lower grade.”

“Oh,” Tuli replied and nodded.

“Get some sleep, you’ve had an exciting day, and tomorrow will be too,” her mother said, and to Luisa her mother added, “There are some extra pillows and blankets in the box.”

Luisa nodded and said, “Thanks, Mamá.”

Her mother nodded as she handed Luisa a small bottle, giving her instructions on how it should be used. She said goodnight, then gave them both a hug saying, “Buenas noches, dulces sueños, hijas.”

Tuli was clutching her stuffed rat and had a curious smile, as if she was remembering something pleasant. Mirabel started when her mother tugged at her shirt, and Mira left with her. She looked over the rail and saw Isa sitting in the courtyard with their father. He had his arms crossed and Isa was mirroring his position in the chair across from him. Her mother looked down at the pair and sighed. She turned to Mira, saying, “I think it’s time you headed for bed as well, Mira. We’ll discuss what’s needed to get Tuli registered tomorrow.” Mirabel reluctantly looked away and back at her mother, who added, “I am also going to ask you to not listen in on private conversations, Mira, however tempting it may be.”

Mirabel shrunk in on herself a little and nodded in reply. How did she know that? Mira thought. Her mother noticed her chagrin as she took Mira’s face in her hands and said after she kissed the top of her head, “I know you don’t mean any harm, Corazón. Good night, Mira. Dulces sueños.”

“Good night, Mamá,” Mirabel replied, then headed to her room. She’d been found out already. Though she wondered how her mother knew, she figured it was probably something the prior Casita was capable of. Which made her wonder if perhaps her mother had used that as well. She did tend to turn up at the most random times… usually when Mirabel and Camilo were planning something prankish. Well, she supposed, it really was just eavesdropping and being nosey would surely lead to trouble. Mirabel changed into her nightgown and pulled on her robe. Casita turned down the lights as she sat on the window seat and looked out at the town. For so many years, she’d been an outsider in her own community. Now she was smack in the middle of everything.

There was always the underlying feeling she just shouldn’t be in charge of anything. Mirabel really had forgiven her abuela for a lot of what happened after discovering the underlying cause of it all, and she just couldn’t find it within herself to hold a grudge. She was genuinely happy to see her family back together, with actual hope for their futures.

She pulled her robe tighter when an errant breeze blew in. She felt unusually calm, so decided it was probably for the best that Camilo had managed to get her to admit she was still having problems with the breaking. He let her ramble and blubber for a little bit, then had her laughing about the ways Casita would often aide and abet them with their shenanigans. She thought about what she wanted to do tomorrow. Breakfast, then getting Tuli ready to start school, go to her abuelos shop and help with the sewing, go see the twins, and thank them for their work on the costumes… there was something else she was forgetting. She concentrated on that, but it was not coming back to her, so she let her thoughts wander as she watched the lights in town going out one by one.

Mirabel’s eyes drifted up… she could just see the edge of the tower from here, and she thought about the doors up there. It was for certain that they were all tied to her abuela, none had existed prior to her going up there that first day. Maybe they were remnants of the first Casita and Mira thought, it would be wonderful if they were. A lot of the materials used to build this house came from the old, though, her Casita still insisted they did not know where they originated. When she thought about it, that made sense, since there were lots of things about her own mother she didn’t know, nor had she bothered to ask.

She watched some fireflies as they flitted in and out of sight. Mira decided she was going to need to figure out exactly how she and Tuli were related. She was curious what her Abuela’s sister was like. Bubo’s Tío called Rodrigo primo, but she was not sure if that was by marriage or what. She was going to need to talk to Bubo, or maybe she could get Isa to ask. She was also curious as to how Antonio had picked out Tuli’s clothes. She was pretty sure Antonio had been in bed the entire time Tuli had been with Luisa.

She smiled as she thought of Antonio’s enthusiasm to learn how to speak to the bugs of the Encanto. Bubo had shown him and Tuli the best way to catch them, and Antonio was a little disappointed he wasn’t able to understand them. He still wanted to talk to them but said it was just too hard. Mira wasn’t sure if that was because he hadn’t figured it out or if it was because he would need to practice… a lot. He commented that Tuli was a bit of a scaredy-cat but was getting braver all the time. That said a lot coming from her primo. He was quiet but tended to be a bit blunt.

“Casita?” The tiles near the window shuffled and Mira asked, “Do you think Tuli’s going to be okay? I’m really worried about her. Sometimes... I can feel a hopelessness, and I know her Tío said she can stay… I just hope nothing happens that would change his mind.” The house tiles moved again, and Mira sighed and added, “No, it wouldn’t be right, so please don’t do that.” More tiles moved and Mira said a little more forcefully, “Seriously, Casita, don’t do that. Promise?” there was a short silence, then another shift. “Thanks.”

Mirabel was tapping the sill and feeling really wide awake. She was tired earlier, but now… not so much. She looked back at her door. It glowed softly in the darkened room. She’d always dreamed of having a door like the rest of her family, and still did to a certain extent, but this door was different. It was a tangible connection between Casita, her Abuela and herself. The shimmering oak depicted made her think of that oak tree Isa had created earlier. Mira was fairly certain it was in the same area as the one she used to climb when she was a kid, and leaned out to get a better look. It really was too dark to see, but the outline was there. Mirabel stepped up onto the window seat, then climbed out onto the windowsill. She let her feet dangle for a few moments before she eased herself onto the roof.

Casita clattered a tile nearby and Mirabel responded, “I’ll be careful, and don’t go telling everyone what I’m up to.” There was another louder burst and Mirabel hissed, “Chitón, you’ll wake everybody up.” Casita waggled one of the shutters and Mira sighed and said, “Sorry, I don’t mean to snap, but I can take care of myself and if Mamá or Pá finds out, I’ll get yelled at.” Mira patted the sill again and said as she pulled her robe tight, “I’ll be back before you know it.”

Mirabel headed along the roof tiles toward a trellis that was at the side of the house. She ducked as she passed the windows along the way. Hopefully, everyone was asleep but why chance it? She quickly climbed down and ran toward the great tree that Isa had said named itself Anselmo.

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Rodrigo Iguarán was writing quickly when the tip of his pencil snapped. He glared at the small hole the pencil created and sat back as he tried to remember where in his pack he’d put his pocketknife. He was absently tapping on his notebook but looked up when the tent flap opened, and José stepped in. José’s face held a deep frown as he sat down on the only chair and let out something akin to a growl.

“Something wrong, Gabi?”

“No.” His answer was abrupt, and after a moment added, “Maybe… ” he growled again then shook his head and said “No.” He took off his shoes, then carefully positioned them under his cot. Rodrigo watched him go about moving all the items in the tent that were not quite where he thought they should be. Something was bothering his primo enough that he was adjusting everything in eye shot. This was a habit he’d gotten from his Abuelo. Whenever his Abuela regaled them of the magical, and his Abuelo was there, he too would begin adjusting the physical world to suit himself.

“How is Tuli?” Rodrigo asked.

“Tuli is fine. The Doctor said they need to eat more and rest.”

“Well, that’s good news,” Rodrigo said cheerfully. José only grunted in reply, so Rodrigo asked, “For how long?”

José looked at his hands then said, “A minimum of six weeks, possibly longer.”

“Ooof, so will you be staying or were you planning to take Tuli and go anyway?”

José didn’t answer right away. Instead, he was busy adjusting a stack of clothing that he’d taken from his pack. Rodrigo watched as he matched up all the corners and thought he’s definitely not happy with this development. José moved back to the chair and said as he rubbed his knees, “I’ve agreed that Tuli can remain here as long as he stays with the Madrigals, so he’ll be staying when I leave.”

Rodrigo was taken aback, while it was true, they were all related, it was out of character that José would allow for something like this. He knew part of the problem was he still saw Bubo as a child. As Bubo said, he’d not been one for some time and even if he tended to be impulsive, he was not a fool. The other part was if he did leave Tuli behind, he would have failed in his purpose for this journey. If the Doctor was saying Tuli should stay, his primo would have to take that into his decision making. All during their journey, José had said that when (he never said ‘if’) they found Tuli, they would head back to Bogotá as soon as possible. José must have caught his look because he asked, “You think leaving Tuli a mistake?”

“Honestly?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

His cousin appeared to be hoping for a different answer because he frowned and asked, “Then you agree that Bubo would be a better guardian?”

Rodrigo took a deep breath before he replied cautiously, “In this instance… probably?”

“Probably?”

There was a hint of anger in his voice that made Rodrigo add, “Gabi, if you’ve suddenly changed your mind, or you’re looking for someone to shout at, then fine, shout away. But at least don’t lie to yourself. If you leave with Tuli, you’ll end up in the same cycle of nonsense that created the situation that caused her to run in the first place. I know it, Bubo knows it, and you know it too.”

“You said ‘her’.”

Rodrigo clenched his teeth and said sharply, “Quit saying that, I know what I said, Gabi, and so what? I know that it’s your decision, but perhaps you should be willing to see if he will do better than they have in the past. You must see how incredibly blessed you are that Tuli found their way to this place alive. I don’t even want to think about what that smuggler did to them.”

José deflated some as he let out a sigh and said, “I know. I’m sorry.”

Rodrigo took a deep breath, he was determined not to be angry, so asked, “What did the Doctor say?”

“He said, for the most part, Tuli’s physically alright but only just. Too thin and probably not sleeping. Fragile was the word he used.” José laid back on the cot, covering his eyes with his arm. He was quiet for a time, then added, “I’m not sure why I was under the delusion that Tuli…” he stopped as he uncovered his eyes and stared at his hands. “Maria’s been haunting my dreams of late. Telling me what a fool I’ve been and how could I have let this happen to her. Sometimes it feels like…” he trailed off as Rodrigo finished his primo’s thought in his head; Your sister guided Tuli here and away from you. Still, Rodrigo resisted the urge to mention he’d called Tuli ‘her’. Little by little, his primo was learning to accept Tuli’s reality, he just hadn’t realized it yet.

It was probably for the best. José’s own fiancé, Mercedes, had told Rodrigo privately that her husband-to-be should find a way to send Tuli back to their abuelos or ask another of his married brothers to take her in. Tuli was clearly withering in his care, and his refusal to see those effects was not helping. This included his not using Tuli’s given name, which she said was nothing more than him being spiteful. He needed to learn he couldn’t control everything, try though he may.

Rodrigo looked away and reached into his pack to locate his pocketknife. His thoughts turned to his own fiancé. Juana had admonished him to not stay away for too long chasing his stories. The lure of so many folks that had survived the thousand-day war was going to be difficult to resist, and he did need to get back to Cartagena. He wondered then where Bubo was, so asked, “Bubo back at the Aguilars?”

“Yes, we stopped there, and he showed me the tiny storeroom he’s been living in. Very spartan.”

“Tiny? Is he living in a closet?”

“No… actually, for one person, it’s not too bad.”

“You sound almost disappointed.”

“I would have thought he’d have his own place by now. He’s been here almost a year.”

“You did say he was patrolling the outskirts of the village for the past few months.”

“Yes, I suppose it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“You know, if I didn’t know better, Gabi, I would think you were looking for an excuse.”

“Excuse?”

“Yes, to justify taking Tuli when you go.”

“Tuli’s going to be staying with the Madrigals.” Rodrigo sighed, but his cousin was no longer looking at him as he said, “Rodrigo?”

“Yes Gabi?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Just keep reminding me that I’m not wrong to leave Tuli here.”

“Alright. Just try not to shout at anyone. Especially Bubo, he is a good man.”

“Right.” José said as he caught the ‘man’. He let out a small laugh and added, “He is a good man. Not gonna lie, Bubo being here did make my decision easier. I just wish they had some sort of mail service here. I understand them not having any phones but no electricity?”

“I’m sure we’ll find a way, Gabi. Maybe there is a magical answer.”

José gazed up and nodded and said, “Probably. I saw you were speaking with Señor Félix during dinner; did he mention how the smuggler died?”

“He said it was probably a heart attack.”

“A heart attack?”

“Yes, apparently his youngest son, Antonio, can speak to animals. They believe his son asked the jaguar that landed atop the smuggler to frighten him away, but he ended up scaring him to death.”

“How unusual.”

“Less than he deserved, if you ask me. And to think he traveled with us for almost three weeks. Thank goodness we never found the women and kids he was tracking. Did you know they are also here?”

“No, I hadn’t heard. I’ll need to thank them for looking after Tuli.”

“So, did Bubo happen to mention how his date went? He’s quite taken with the young lady he was sitting with at dinner. You should have seen his face when she walked into the dining room earlier.”

“I can imagine, she is quite beautiful. Still, right now, I am actually more concerned about Señora Vargas causing trouble. I have no illusions that she will, first chance she gets.”

“She is a challenging one. We’ll need to keep an eye on that brood of lackeys she’s collected on the trip here. I’m sure Miguel already told her that Paola was at dinner. That young man… I’ve forgotten his name.”

“The shapeshifter?”

Rodrigo nodded.

“Camilo.”

“Yes, such a remarkable Gift. I wonder if he can shape-shift into anyone. Do you have any plans for dealing with her?”

“Not yet, but... ” José paused and seemed to be working something out in his head. He chuckled to himself and said, “Right, I’m going to bed. Good night Rodrigo.”

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Isabela sat on her bed, feeling foolish after her conversation with her father. The standoff was only broken when her mother appeared and hustled her off to her room. Seriously, what did he think she was going to do? Isa paused when a random thought answered that question, and she blushed. She almost laughed at the irony, since conversations like that one hadn’t been needed when she was dating Mariano. She was never actually alone with him, and went out of her way to not be. That, and Señorita Perfecta would never have even dared to do such things. Obviously, it was her level of interest in Bubo that had prompted her Papá to well… be her Papá. He at least waited until Bubo had left with his Tío.

Her thoughts drifted, and she picked up the potted plumeria rubra she planted, and was very pleased to see three small leaves had unfurled from the cutting. She knew what its flowers looked like and resisted the urge to make the cutting bloom. She took it to the balcony and opened the doors to set outside. The morning sun would definitely help green it up. She was adjusting it when something moving across the lawn caught her eye. Was that Mirabel? Was she sleepwalking? Normally, Isa would ignore this, but she thought she saw the shadow of someone else as she leaned over the rail. Maybe it was her imagination, but then again, Mirabel was now the focus of the magic of the Encanto. She sighed and asked, “Casita, did Mira ask you not to tell anyone she was sneaking out?”

The house clattered yes… then quickly clattered no.

Honestly, Isa thought. She looked at her shoes near the door and decided she didn’t have time for that. She poked her head out of her door, the house was quiet as so she slipped out of her room. She went down the stairs and to the back door. The door wasn’t budging and Casita clattered a tile or two and Isa said, “And you shouldn’t have let her wander off by herself, Casita. Now open the door.”

More tiles clattered angrily, but the back door popped open and Isabela headed in the direction she’d seen her little sister take.

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