"Well, family, it is with a heavy heart that I announce that tomorrow we will all go back home."

So, finally, they were going to leave. I was going to miss them. During those weeks, I had gotten used to listening to Cristóbal's lute in the background, to Ana's dances and taste for chocolate, to Renaldo's calm and pleasant energy, and to the confrontational friendship that united me with Eugenio. But what was going to hurt the most was going to be seeing Luisa lose Renaldo. Not that there was anything between them, but the way they looked at each other, played, chatted, and laughed together... I didn't understand why it hadn't already happened. What was Luisa waiting for? Unlike me, she did have the chance to have what she wanted…

"Why so soon, Renaldo?" Abuela asked making a sad face. "You can stay as long as you want. You know you don't bother, right?"

"Thank you, Alma, but I need to go back. I don't think Elisa can stand the constant questions from my brother Olayo much longer. He's a good boy, you know? And I love spending time with him, but Elisa has no hand with children. I don't want to abuse her kindness or make Olayo worry."

"I understand, querido. But, tell me, why didn't you bring him with you?"

"Oh, well, Olayo… he has a bit of a special physical condition, you know? He doesn't handle heat well."

"Oh, what a pity… Well, if there is no other choice, I wish you a good journey and that you really enjoy your last day in our Encanto."

"Abuela…?" Félix said in an inciting tone.

"You got it, Félix. Get everything ready for this afternoon, I don't want our travelers to stay up late."

"Fiesta!" Félix, Camilo, Ana, and Eugenio exclaimed all at once.

"Will you dance with me this time?" Renaldo asked Luisa.

"I guess I will for once…"

"The first and the last time."

That afternoon, seeing how Luisa was happily carried along the dance floor by the hand of that man, I understood everything. For Luisa, Renaldo meant leaving the Encanto. She, who was in charge of the heavy work, who felt so essential… would never leave for good. She was a born protector and would continue to be whoever appeared before her.

My poor sister…

"Bruno…"

I didn't know what had happened, but it had been a little over a week sensing that Bruno was acting strangely. He didn't avoid me, but he was cool and distant toward me.

"Ah, Mirabel. Tell me."

"Renaldo told me that you gave them some small bags of salt."

"You never know when you might need a little extra luck."

"But you have stopped doing it. It's been a few days since you've thrown salt, crossed your fingers, or knocked on wood… Do you mind if I ask why?"

Bruno gave me a gloomy look and turned his back to me.

"We can call luck, but not change our fate. What is the point of crossing your fingers for something that will never happen or throwing salt on land that is already dead?"

"What are you talking about?"

"It doesn't matter. The thing is, I don't need it anymore."

"And they do need it?"

"What if they fall down a ravine or are surrounded by a dangerous situation?"

"I don't get it. Didn't you just tell me that you don't have faith in those things anymore?"

"I… I don't know what I have faith in anymore. But maybe they can use it to throw it in someone's eyes if they feel threatened or something."

"No, that's supposed to be bad luck."

"Mirabel, did you want something? Or did you just want to ask about the salt?"

"Ah, I forgot. Do you think you could see Luisa's future? I think she's making a mistake and she needs to know."

"Did she ask for it?"

"No… She is busy in the hairy arms of that big man."

"I won't see her future if she doesn't ask me to do it."

"But… what if we help her by doing it?"

"Let me tell you something, Mirabel. Knowing the future is not always going to help you. Sometimes it only serves to embitter your existence and kill your hopes."

"Bruno, what are…? Are you okay?"

Bruno sighed and started walking away from me.

"Tell Abuela that I was sleepy today and I won't have dinner, please."

"You are leaving?"

"I… I'm going to bed."

"Bruno, please, you're worrying me. Tell me what's wrong."

I instinctively tugged at his ruana and he yanked it from my hands without a word. Was he angry? Why?! What had made him suddenly become the drama king? I didn't know what it had been, but since that jerk, I was the one who was angry.

"Okay, do you want to turn your back on me? Do it. It is clear that asking that there was even at least one single person in this world who wouldn't reject me at some point, was too much to ask."

I overtook him and went straight to our hole debating whether to burst into tears or break things, but the latter option wouldn't be fair to Casita, so I figured I'd opt for the former. But, then, something unexpected happened: Bruno appeared behind me calling my name as I did with him years ago; walking those endless corridors just a few meters from me and making sure to give me my space but without losing sight of me. I was angry, but I loved that place that gave me him.

"Mirabeeel, stop, please."

I knocked on wood as a reminder of that day and hoped that it would actually bring me some luck. The thing was getting complicated between us and any help was welcome.

I finally entered our living room and tried to close the entrance.

"Mirabel, wait… Mirabel!"

"What? Now you're going to yell at me?"

"What? No… I just want you to listen to me."

"I'm listening…"

"I'm sorry I reacted like that before; you didn't deserve it."

"Why did you do that? What's wrong?"

"I… I can't tell you."

"You don't trust me?"

"I didn't say that."

"But you don't deny it either," maybe I was the one who was already looking for the title of drama queen.

"It's not a matter of trust, Mirabel. Some things can't be, okay? I can't tell you about it, I can't change it, and this thing that we have and don't have and I don't know what it is… it can't be either."

"Are you telling me that you don't want to be near me anymore?"

"No… I'm telling you that… I'm not going to be near you anymore."

Bruno turned and left there with an empty step like that of a ghost.

I didn't follow him. That time, unlike when we met again, I didn't have the courage to do it.

What had just happened? Why had he told me that? What had changed between us? Whatever it was, Bruno was right: knocking on wood didn't work.