"Do you have to go?" Coco tilts her head at Héctor, watching him pack his suitcase for the trip. They are in Héctor and Imelda's bedroom. Coco sits on their bed, watching him with pleading wide eyes.

Héctor nods. "Don't worry," he tells her. "I'll be back before you know it."

Coco sighs and lays down on the bed. "Stay," she says, her voice raising suddenly. It's as if she's comanding him rather than just talking to him.

Héctor laughs.

Coco sits up again, eying the folded clothes next to Héctor's open suitcase. She frowns at him. "Stay," she says again.

"I wish I could, mija," Héctor replies as puts the clothes inside, "but I won't be gone forever. It's only two months."

Coco gives him a look that almost makes him laugh again. It reminds him of the frowns that Imelda constantly gives him when she's upset.

"What's that face for, Coco?" he asks, giving her a fake pout. He puts the last of the items in his suitcase and locks it shut.

Coco frowns some more. Then her eyes move to Héctor's nightstand, catching sight of his songbook and his toys. She looks at him and points at the items, making a noise.

Héctor glances at his toys and shakes his head. "I can't bring those with me," he says. "Ernesto won't like it."

Coco reaches over and grabs his notebook, pushing it into his hands. She then gives a short nod, as if she's in charge of making sure Héctor has everything packed.

He nods at her and grabs the notebook and his suitcase in both hands. "Now I'm ready," he announces, which makes Coco giggle. She slides off the bed clumsily and runs over to him, wrapping her arms around him as best she can. Héctor reaches down and ruffles her hair. At that moment there's a banging on the front door. Héctor rolls his eyes and smiles, knowing who it is.

"Come on, " he mutters to Coco as they walk out of the bedroom. "I'll say goodbye to your mamá, then I have to go."

Coco grabs his hand as they stride out.


Imelda forces herself not to turn toward the door when she hears the knocking again. She faces the wall in a daze. Héctor leaves today, and thinking about that makes her feel numb.

She feels Héctor's arms wrap around her neck, and then she hears his voice.

"I'll miss you."

She turns to him and crosses her arms. "Only two months?"

"At the most, yes." Héctor kisses the top of her head.

Imelda looks him up and down, inwardly admiring the clothes he's wearing. A purple mariachi suit, looking especially sparkly in the sunlight from the nearby open window. His suitcase is in his hand, the strap of his guitar slung around his shoulder. He kisses her again.

"Do you have everything?" she asks, ignoring the fierce knocking that's starting up again.

Héctor nods. "Coco helped me with that," he says with a giggle.

Imelda smiles at him, running a hand through his hair as she embraces him. Héctor returns the gesture.

It's over as quickly as it started. Héctor lets her go and starts toward the door.

She whispers adíos to him just as he opens it.

Ernesto stands in the doorway, peering at Héctor. "It took you long enough," he says.

Héctor shrugs and smiles sheepishly. "Sorry, Superhero."

Ernesto puts an arm around Héctor and guides him out the door, closing it behind them. Coco runs to the window and Imelda follows her. The two of them watch the men walk away, and Coco places her hand on the window. At one point Héctor turns around and waves before Ernesto forces him to face forward again. Imelda smiles at the back of Héctor's head as the men disappear from view. Once she can no longer see them, she turns away, thinking of him and his promise to return home.

I love you, Héctor Rivera.

She utters these words as she guides Coco away from the window as well.

He'll be back. I know he will.

His words fill her mind again as she thinks of his love for her and their daughter.