Bruno and Carina

by JillianFahey

No one in the village wanted to be near Bruno Madrigal with his strange mutterings and ability to see the future. All were afraid of him and what anything he said would mean. At least, that is the story Alma Madrigal wanted the generations to remember. Because there was one person who loved Bruno fiercely, taking on everyone else who tried to mock or blame him. Her name was Carina.

11. Chapter 11 Lonely Hearts Support Group

Carina heard about the cracks in the walls of the Casita Madrigal, and wasn't surprised when Delores showed up at her door. She just shuttered every window before making a cup of tea and setting it gently before the sound sensitive Madrigal. Quietly they enjoyed the drink before Delores spoke, "You were betrothed to Tio Bruno?"

The day before was the first time she had spoken it out loud in the time any of the kids had been alive, so she just nodded. Sighing, she answered in the same level of whisper which Delores had spoken in, "Your Abuela liked that her son had a friend, but hated the idea of me as an in-law." Smiling a little bitterly, "Maybe I was too combative towards her."

"Why were you combative?" was the whispered question.

This was the first time Delores had spoken to someone who had let their love go, like she thought she had to do with Mariano. Looking down at her hands Carina gathered her thoughts before answering, "Because your Abuela let the entire town hurt Bruno as you can remember and I couldn't allow that to happen." Giving the young woman a small smile, "When you love someone you protect them, and so I protected Bruno as fiercely as I love him."

The young woman seemed surprised, "You still love him?" Carina nodded, "You're not angry that he left."

Considering it, "I was angry but it wasn't really at him." Explaining in the face of confusion, "I was and still am angry at all the people here who treated him as less than dirt and drove him to leave." Tears filled her eyes as she looked down at her hands, "I know he had a good reason, I just wish he had talked to me about it." Realizing her voice had risen she lowered again, "Lo silento Delores."

Waving that away Delores answered, "It's alright." Then biting her lip she seemed to be at war with herself before asking, "If you could let Bruno know anything what would you tell him?"

Shaking her head, "You would think it was stupid." Of course Delores gave her the original eyes that Antonio got so well and Carina melted, "I wrote Bruno a letter." Getting up she walked to a drawer and pulled it out, "I thought that if I ever found out where he was I could send this to him." Looking at Dolores, "Actually I was going to bury it in his room on our anniversary but your Abuela would be livid."

Looking up to her Delores asked, "Could I take it?"

Nodding, "Of course." Then adding, "Just don't let anyone see it, I don't want you to get into trouble for what Bruno and I did." Delores promised and left after another cup of tea along with talking about ways to help her family cope with the changes.

What Cariana did not know was that Delores used her hearing to slip into the dining room and put the letter through a crack in the wall without anyone noticing. And that the hands that picked up the letter were the same hands that had slipped that engagement ring on her finger so many years before.