"So, Camilo hasn't mentioned me at all?" Mariano asked. "I've looked everywhere. I couldn't find the note on the internet. Do you think he's forgotten about it?"
"No," Mirabel said. "He's going to post it somewhere. I don't know what the hold-up is. What is this letter? Is it a sex thing? Is that why you mentioned my cousin in it? If so, your life is over when he posts it."
"It's not a sex thing," Mariano muttered. "It's an assignment from my therapist."
"Gross," Mirabel said. "There has been no mention of you in Casita Madrigal. There seems to be something going on. I don't know what it is, but they said they'll explain it to me too. Everyone knows but Antonio and me. It says a lot when they give me the knowledge level of my five-year-old cousin. Whatever that is probably has preoccupied him away from the letter."
Alma Madrigal walked over to her granddaughter and the Guzmán boy. She was noticeably not wearing her grieving shaw. She previously was wearing it in all her public appearances for fifty years; she had worn it ever since her husband's murder. "Mariano, Pepa and Félix want to talk to you back at Casita Madrigal," Alma said. "Mirabel, I recommend you go as well. Your parents need to talk to you as well."
"Is everything okay, Señora Madrigal?" Mariano asked.
"You'll see," Alma said.
Mariano had only been to Casita Madrigal once. It was for Antonio's gift ceremony. He only stayed long enough for the youngest Madrigal to get their gift. Mariano left before the party got started. He felt that was the best way for everyone to have a good time.
Pepa and Félix were sitting in two armchairs in the sitting room. Mariano sat on the couch in front of the chairs. To Mariano's surprise, Pepa was wearing a black shaw. "Good morning," Mariano stuttered.
"Hello," Félix said. Pepa reached out her hand, holding a note.
"Camilo wanted you to have this," Pepa explained. Mariano took the paper and unfolded it. It was his letter to his therapist. "We didn't know Camilo had any friends. He was very secretive."
"I'm sorry," Mariano said. "Camilo and I aren't friends."
"Of course, you were," Pepa stuttered. A storm was forming over the Encanto. "He dedicated his last words to you."
"His last words?" Mariano asked.
"Camilo took his life a few days ago," Félix said. Thunder cried over the house.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Mariano said. "However, he didn't write this."
Pepa let out a gasp. She had noticed Mariano's cast. "His best and dearest friend," Pepa said.