We're Starting In Miguel's P.O.V.

As the security woman lead me out of Santa Cecilia and through the cemetery, all sorts of questions were going through my mind. How is coming to The Land Of the Dead even possible without a curse, what was this meeting going to be about, was me seeing the Land Of The Dead without a curse going to be the reason for this meeting? However there were also questions like, who will be at this meeting besides me, Will I be able to see Pap H ctor while got this chance to come back to The Land Of The Dead? "Um excuse me Ma'am but I don't believe I got your name"? I asked the woman to end the awkward silence that I was tired of as we neared the end of the cemetery. "I'm Jade my apologies for not saying it earlier". Jade replied kindly and then I saw The Marigold Bridge and it was as beautiful as I remembered it from two years ago.

"Wow The Marigold Bridge still blows me away as the first time"! I exclaimed as we began walking across the bridge. A few minutes later I heard a familiar sounding bark coming closer and closer until I could see a old alebrije companion! "Hey is that you Dante"? I said as I sped up to meet up with him halfway on his run over to me! "Oh it really is you Dante I missed you so much"! I said as I was on my knees hugging is neck gently and Dante was licking me like crazy.

"Well I hate to ruin the moment of this sweet little reunion but, there's a meeting we have to get to, for people are waiting for me to arrive with you". Jade said as she giggled at our happy reunion. So I nodded and managed to get back on my feet and continued walking. Soon I was able to see the glorious architecture of The Land Of The Dead, that was hidden thanks to the fog. "So this isn't a dream then, I really am back and this is really happening"! I said as it finally sunk into my brain. We made it to the re-entry gate as my excitement intensified.

"Hola, Jade what were you up to in The Land Of The Living this time"? The Customs Officer who was standing in the re-entry booth asked nervously. "Well you remember Miguel Rivera right"? Jade asked in reply. "Si, how could I forget he literally made my jaw drop when we met those two years ago". The Guard said laughing at the memory. I then laughed nervously and awkwardly.

"Yeah good loco times right señor"? I asked the Customs Officer to end this awkward moment but with an awkward smile. "Si, indeed Miguel, well what is your business that involves bringing a living boy to The Land Of The Dead and Miguel Rivera to add on top of all that? I'm not asking out of my own personal bias, it's just a re-entry security protocol". The Customs Officer asked seriously but still nicely as he leaned on the little booth table. "He's the center for the topic of an important meeting at The Department Of Family Reunions". Jade explained seriously but also, still nicely in reply.

"Oh good well then, you may proceed, and welcome back to The Land Of The Dead to both of you!" The guard said. "Gracias senor Officer"! I said happily as we truly were entering The Land Of The Dead. My excitemental patience had finally paid off. However, I was thinking about what the Customs Officer said about Jade going to The Land Of Living multiple times let alone at all. "Um Jade I a have a question how were you able to come to The Land Of The Living, I thought that was only possible for the dead to go there on El Dia De Los Muertos"? I asked Jade feeling confused yet also curious.

Then Jade stopped and turned to look at me. "Well it's my job, when the situation calls for it, to deliver a message to the Living from one or more of their living relatives, or bring them to Land Of The Dead with the reasons or something similar to why I brought you here for in fact, after the incident with you when you were here the first time, they decided to create this position, so think of it as magic or whatever you prefer to call it, when I was assigned to that position I instantly had this ability". Jade said in reply thoroughly. "Oh wow that's amazing"! I exclaimed in reaction to this new information and I'm still pleasantly surprised that this place could still impress me and leave me in complete awe. "Heh, heh yeah I guess it is, well here we are the Department Of Family Reunions"! Jade said and was obviously amused by my awe, as we walked up to the doors where two officers were standing, just like my last visit.

The officers were stunned when they saw me again and that brought us to a holt. "Hola señor officers, I have come to bring Miguel Rivera to a meeting about him in The Department Of Family Reunions so, will please let us pass and enter the building"? Jade explained to the officers and requested kindly to which they nodded and opened the doors for us. "Gracias señor have a nice day". Jade said happily as we entered The Department Of Family Reunions.

We went up to a desk were another skeleton woman, was sitting with an old fashion computer and then, we sat down in the two chairs in front of the desk. "Hola Ma'am Miguel Rivera here has an appointment". Jade informed the woman behind the desk. "Hola Jade and Ah si, Miguel indeed does, I'll tell the clerk that you've arrived Bueno"? The woman said happily as she when to the little phone on her desk, and held down the button.

"Hola señor Clerk, Miguel Rivera has just arrived shall I send him in"? The woman asked the clerk. "Si, send him right in". The familiar sounding clerk replied kindly. "Well you can go ahead and go in office # A113, but Jade would you like to go with him or wait out here"? The woman told me and asked Jade before I could even get out of my chair. "I'll go with Miguel". Jade said in reply as we got out of our chairs and headed for the clerk's office.

Earlier that same day:

We're Now In Hector's P.O.V.

It it had been the usual morning when at lunch and, as we chatted in the dining room, we heard the phone ringing unexpectedly. "Huh I wonder who is calling us at lunch time of all times"! I said as I got up from the table. "I'll get that". I announced and walked over to the phone.

"Hola Hector Rivera speaking, who is this and how can I help you"? I asked as soon as I answered the phone. "Hola Hector Rivera, this is the Clerk from The Department Of Family Reunions, that your family met those two years ago, and I need you, Imelda, and Coco, to come to my office for a meeting it's very important". The Clerk told me seriously, which confused me. "Si, Señor Clerk, but what is it about anyway"? I asked nervously but also, curiously and politely. "It's about your Great-Great Grandson Miguel Rivera". The Clerk told me.

And At hearing Miguel's name being the topic of an important meeting, I grew extremely worried, concerned, and nervous about Miguel's well-being! "Wait What, what's going on with Miguel"? I asked in horror and shock. "Please calm down Hector, just come to my office and once you've arrived in my office, I will send Jade to escort Miguel to my office as well for its something that he needs to be informed about and explained to, so I'll explain everything once both your family and Miguel are in my office, so do you understand Hector"? The Clerk said nervously at first but then reassuringly. "Si, I understand I'll tell mi Familia and we'll be there as soon as we can adios". I assured the clerk and then hung up the phone.

"Well Mi Amor, who was that"? Imelda asked me as I sat back down. "It was that clerk you met two years ago from The Department Of Family Reunions, he called to inform me that you Coco and I need to head to his office for an important meeting". I explained to start off. "And...it's about Miguel in fact Miguel will be escorted there once we're in the clerk's office". I said with concern. I was really excited to reunite with my wonderful Great-Great Grandson however, we still don't know anything about this meeting, whether it was a good and positive, or bad, and maybe even a "he's-in-danger" one.

"What, did he say anything else about this meeting"? Imelda asked me frantically full of worry for our boy. "He did not I'm afraid, but he said he'll explain once both we and Miguel are in the clerk's office so please c lmese we have to hurry to that clerk's office, vamons Imelda and Coco"! I told my Wife and Daughter as I was already ready to head out the door. "Bueno Papa /Hector." Both Imelda and Coco said in unison and we went down to The Department Of Family Reunions. All while wondering nervously what we would hear at this meeting.

The English Translations of all the Spanish words in this chapter:

Hola-Hello

Senor-Sir

Gracias-Thank You

El Dia De Los Muertos- The Day Of The Dead

Bueno- Okay

Mi Familia- My Family

Adios-Goodbye

Mi Amor-My Love

Do not-No

c lmeseu- Calm Down

vamonos-Let's Go