Author's Note:

The next two chapters are going to follow the events of the story from Mariano's POV. This chapter is going to be longer than the others but, will only cover the parts relevant to Mariano. This begins when Dolores was 5 and got her gift and Mariano is 9.

Chapter 17:

(Mariano POV)

I made my way inside the famous Madrigal house but, I wasn't as happy about it as I usually was. Tonight Dolores was going to get her gift which meant that our days of playing together were over. It would be exactly the same as what happened with Isabella when she got her gift, Dolores was going to be too busy to do anything with me. I kept a smile on my face but really I was just hoping that this night wasn't real. That Dolores wasn't going to touch her door and get her gift. That she would be able to keep playing with me and cheat at hide and seek, that has to be the reason why no one can ever find her. It was all going to end and I wasn't looking forward to it at all. I caught a glimpse of her as she turned and walked over to Bruno. I smiled as I watched him jump as she came up from behind him. I was going to go over and talk to her when the crowd started to shuffle as more people made their way inside and when I looked back at Bruno she was gone.

Suddenly the lights went out and all attention was on the curtains at the end of the hall. I made my way to the front as the curtains opened and Dolores stood there. She was dressed in white from head to toe, she looked like an angel. She began making her way forward and looked over at me. I could tell she was nervous and I gave her a wide smile. She smiled back at me nodding her head. My chest got tighter for a second before she continued walking towards her door. Her hand reached out for the doorknob and suddenly a new image appeared on the door. "Nieta what is your gift?" Her Abuela asked. Dolores was covering her ears, "I can hear everything. It is so loud," Her voice was sounding more like a whisper with each word she said.

Within a few moments Señora Madrigal was encouraging everyone to talk to Dolores and it was clear that she was overwhelmed by all the noise still responding to what everyone was saying. I couldn't watch much more of this, "Goodbye," I whispered as I left Casita. I was sure that she wouldn't miss me or even notice I was gone. She had her gift and was a member of the Madrigal family. Maybe things would be different with Dolores than Isabella? Maybe we would still be able to play together? I knew that I was fooling myself but still I hung on to this idea for as long as I could. I made my way up to my room. The rest of my family was still at the party. I pulled out a sheet of paper and a pencil. I began to write down a poem as I followed the rhythm that was echoing in my mind. It turns out that poem was the first of many as I began writing them every night.

(a little over a year later)

I was walking through town when I saw Dolores making her way over. I smiled as I realized she was coming over to talk to me, "Dolores it has been a while." She nodded her head, "Yes it has. How have you been? How is your Abuela and your Mama?" She asked, her voice was a whisper if that at all. Still it was nice to be talking to her again. "they are fine. Abuela is already talking about my future and what kindo of life I should have, you know with a family." I said as I replayed my most recent conversations with Abuela in my mind. she was talking to me about the importance of our family in the community and the type of person she thought I should end up with.

"Is it what you want?" Dolores asked and all I could do was shrug. "I-I don't know I mean I'm 10 it just seems..." I looked off in a direction and saw Isabella was growing flowers nearby. Abuela and Mama often mentioned Isabella to me when they talked about the future too. I wondered why as I looked over at her. "If you'll excuse me I have to go to the marketplace. It was nice talking to you," Dolores said as my head snapped back to look at her. "Dolores, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I got distracted," I was trying to explain it to her but it didn't seem like she cared, "Don't worry, I'm just busy. I hope I'll see your around." I nodded my head as she walked away and I couldn't help but feel bad. This was the first chance we had to talk in a while and I kind of blew her off. I went back to my house and hung back in my room. I laid in bed strumming my guitar not really feeling like seeing anyone else in town now.

The day passed and Abuela walked into my room, "Mariano why aren't you ready for the party tonight?" I got up and leaned my guitar against the wall, "Sorry Abuela. I'll get ready now." She shook her head, "No, I wanted to talk to you anyway. You can get ready after. Come sit down." I sat down next to her on my bed, "What is going on Abuela?" She laughed, "No, nothing you need to worry about. I wanted talk to you about your future Mariano." I looked up at her, "What do you mean Abuela?" She let out a breath, "Well you know how important our family is to the community, right?" I nodded my head, "So you know that there are other important families in the community too." "Like the Madrigals," I said.

She smiled, "Yes, exactly like the Madrigals. What do you think about Isabella?" I shrugged, "She is nice. I guess." Abuela smiled, "Yes, you two used to play together all the time." I smiled when I thought about when I used to play at the Madrigal house, "Yes. Dolores, Isabella and I used to play together all the time." She nodded her head, "You know Isabella is a very sweet girl. Who knows maybe in the future..." She stopped as I looked up at her confused. She shook her head, "Promise me something Mariano." I nodded my head. "Promise me that you are going to ask someone to dance tonight. Maybe one of your old friends from the Madrigals." I nodded my head, "Yeah Abuela. I will."

Later that night we were all walking over to the Madrigal house and I began making my way through the crowd looking for Dolores. I really missed playing with her and maybe I could ask her to dance with me so that Abuela would be happy too. I found her walking along the edge of the party. I knew that she saw me and I made my way up to her waving a little, "Hi." She softly spoke. "Hey, sorry we didn't get to talk much earlier," I said rubbing the back of my neck. I was trying to figure out how to ask her to dance, "Um Dolores, would you..." but I could see that she was listening to something else.

When she told me about the food emergency I knew that she was about to runoff and I didn't want her to leave me. I grabbed her wrist and began weaving us through the crowd running as we ducked under people across the dance floor. When I saw Señora Madrigal I decided to turn and delay finding her just a little bit longer. When we approached her I saw that she was talking to Abuela. Dolores explained what was going on and Señora Madrigal excused herself and wen to go deal with it. I held up my hand for Dolores, "We just saved the fiesta." She laughed as she gave me a hgih five. This was it. This was when I could ask her to dance.

That was when Isabella made her way over, "Dolores is everything alright?" Dolores nodded her head, "Yeah everything is great." I could see Abuela gesturing to Isabella mouthing 'Dance.' I went quiet and Isabella started talking to me, "Oh hi Mariano, it has been a while." I nodded my her offering a small smile. I knew what Abuela wanted me to do but I was just about to ask Dolores. I felt her lightly push on my shoulders toward Isabella, "May I have this dance Isabella?" She looked at me confused but still gave me a smile, "Um, sure." I took her hand and we made our way out on the dance floor. I glanced back over to where Dolores was, but she was gone and in her place stood both of our Abuela's smiling at Isabella and I on the dance floor. I didn't see Dolores for the rest of the night and I couldn't help but feel bad as I went home with my family. I then thought over the night, was she avoiding me? Did she not want to be my friend anymore? I laid awake thinking about this hoping that I was wrong.

(7 months later)

I looked at the present I had for Dolores up on the table. Today was her birthday and I couldn't wait to give it to her. I had worked some odd jobs in town saving up for it and I went to the jeweler in town to get it ready. No one besides Maria, the jeweler, knew that I bought it. I put it in my pocket and went out across town. I was saying hi to everyone that I saw as I made my way to the fields. That was when I saw her walking deeper into the fields. I had to get her attention. "Dolores," I called out. I knew that she heard me and she immediately turned around. I ran closer to her as she smiled, "Hi." I took out the box relieved that I didn't crush the bow, "Happy Birthday?"

Her lips parted as she looked down at it and it slowly turned into a smile, "You remembered?" I couldn't believe the surprise I heard in her voice as she asked that, I shrugged it off, "Of course, you're my best friend." She looked at the box so intently as she began to unwrap it. She held up the necklace smiling as she looked at me, "Thank you." I didn't really know how to respond. I started to panic and decided to try to make a joke, "I took a guess with the color" I gestured to her dress, but she had turned around, "Help me put it on?" I nodded my head even though she couldn't see and took the two ends and clasped them together. I could see the smile on her face as she turned back around, "Thank you." I laughed a little as she was barely paying attention to me anymore, "You already said that." I wanted to stay out here longer but, I knew that I had to go back. Abuela had been sick the last couple of days and the family wanted everyone to stay close to the house. I explained this to Dolores and watched as a frown crossed her face, "Oh, I'm so sorry." No. I thought to myself. She can't be upset today. It is her birthday. I smiled at her, "Hey, no this is your birthday don't worry about me." When I got the small tug of a smile on her face I turned and walked back to the village. I hoped she liked her gift.

I made my way back to the house where my Mama was waiting for me, "Mariano, where did you go?" "I just had to drop something off in town," I said taking the plate that she was handing me for lunch. She shook her head, "Let me know next time you leave, ok?" I nodded my head, "Will do Mom." I quickly finished up my pate and brought it over to the sink, "I will take care of that Mariano, why don't you bring Abuela her lunch? She is up in her room." I nodded my head and took her plate. The last couple of days Abuela had been resting in bed. She said that she was just tired but, I heard Mama and Tía talking about how she was getting sick. I smiled as I opened the door, "Mariano."

I brought the plate over to her and helped her sit up. I sat down at the foot of her bed as she ate. "So Mariano, where were you this morning?" I looked down at the quilted blanket on her bed, "I just had to run an errand." I could hear the smile in her voice, "It didn't have anything to do with a certain special girl." I clutched onto the blanket but didn't say anything. "You know I had an interesting conversation with Maria the other day. You know Maria, the jeweler in town." I looked up at her, "It's just that it was her birthday and she is my best friend and I had to catch Dolores before she went too deep into the forest..." "Dolores?" She said and I looked up at her with a sheepish smile. She looked at me as her head cocked to the side, "But what about Isabella, I thought that you... that you two..." She was trying to play it out in her mind. "Isabella and I don't really talk much anymore. She is great and everything it is just... Dolores is..." Special, I thought to myself but I didn't say that out loud. I let out a breath, "Dolores is my best friend."

She looked at me and a smile settled on her face, "You are still young. I'm sure that you will know the right thing to do when you're older." This was the first time I said this and I still wasn't sure if it was the right thing to say, "What happens when the person that you think is special won't pay any attention to you?" She smiled and gestured for me to come closer. She caressed my cheek and smiled, "Mi Corazon, you have always been so smart. Sometimes you need to give people time to catch up." she then looked at her hand and took off her ring, "When you are ready, I want you to give this to the person that you will spend the rest of your life with." She placed it in my hand firmly and I nodded my head.

She began to cough, "Abuela are you alright?" I asked. She nodded her head, "I'm fine, but can you bring my plate back downstairs I need to rest." I nodded my head and looked at her plate. She barely touched her food. I looked back over at her but she was already settling into the pillow as her eyes fluttered shut. I decided to leave the food on the table next to her and bring it back downstairs later in case she got hungry again. I saw Mama waiting outside for me, "How much did she eat?" I shrugged, "Not much." She sighed before smiling at me, "Thank you hijo. Why don't you hang out in your room for a while?" I nodded my head and went to my room. I played with my guitar for a while and leaned back on my bed.

I don't know when I fell asleep but, I felt someone shaking my shoulder. "Mariano, you need to wake up," I slowly opened my eyes and saw Mama looking at me. She had a frown on her face, "Hijo, it's Abuela." I shot up from my bed and went to her room. The color was drained from her face as she gave me a very tired and forced smile. I had to do something. I went out onto the balcony and called out, "Dolores bring your Tía here. Please. It's my Abuela." I went back inside and sat down beside her. "It is going to be ok, Abuela. Help is going to come," I whispered.

As time passed, I wasn't sure if Dolores heard me or if she was coming at all. We heard a faint voice outside the window, "Señora Guzmán." Mama went out to see who it was. When she came back inside she was running downstairs and within a few moments Julieta Madrigal was in the room. Mamá stood next to her, "Por favor Julieta, can you help her?" She slowly made her way over to the bed with a basket in her arm. I held my breath as she rumaged through it before pulling out an empanada. She held it for Abuela to eat and she took a small bite. After a moment when nothing seemed to change Julieta sighed, "I can't heal her but, that should take away the pain." I was stunned Julieta's food always worked it was something that everyone in town could count on, "Why can't you help Abuela Señora Madrigal?" She knelt down to look me in the eye and offered me a sad smile as she placed her hand on my shoulder, "My magic can only do so much. I can heal and I can take away pain, but I can't stop this. This is a part of life."

No, I thought. She had to be wrong. Abuela ate her cooking so she had to get better. She had to, "Mariano," Abuela called for me taking me out of my funk. I shuffled closer to her bed leaning against it as I took her hand, "Abuela, please don't go." She gave me a smile, "Mariano, it is my time." "No," I cried as tears flooded my eyes but she quickly shushed me, "Mariano. Remember the future that we talked about. I want you to have everything you want. You have such a big heart Mi Corazon, don't lose it. I'm sure one day that special girl will realize it too." She was talking about Dolores and she knew that she was. I wanted to be happier about that, that she was finally considering that maybe Isabella and I weren't meant for each other, but I didn't want it like this. Not with her leaving me,

"Please Abuela." She just shushed me softly again bringing her hand to my cheek, "I love you. I love all of you," she said as she looked around the room. Her breathing slowed down until she let out a final exhale. I went numb as I continued to hold her hand. Other people were coming around but, my focus remained on her. When reality finally started to sink in, I looked around the room and saw that Julieta Madrigal was gone. I went to the balcony and saw Dolores riding away with her aunt and uncle. She looked up at me before facing forward and leaving. Why didn't she come in? I thought to myself. I went back inside and focused on my family.

- one week later -

The week was a haze as I stood in the church for the funeral. Isabella had come over to comfort me that first day, but I really wasn't interested in talking to anyone. I don't think I had said anything until that day that she died. As the mass ended I went up to her casket and looked at her as she laid inside. My voice was still as I whispered, "I'll make you proud Abuela." I knew that people were leaving the church but, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw, "Dolores." Her eyes stayed on the ground, "I'm sorry for your loss. She was a great person and a great member of the community." I nodded my hand as she looked up at me, "Thank you." My voice was coarse. I watched as turned to walk away but, I needed to say something else, "Thank you for coming that night." "You asked for my help. Of course I came." I wasn't sure what to say in response. I opened and closed my mouth but nothing was coming out. I settled for nodding my head as she turned to leave. There was one thing that I noticed that I thought about later, "She was wearing the chocker."