Bruno was waiting for Mariposa when she got to her room. "Hello Butterfly," he said solemnly.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Join me over here."
Bruno led Mariposa to the bench by the koi pond. "I need to explain myself."
"Okay…"
"My gift- our gift can be…misunderstood. I wanted to keep you from the pain, the fear, the guilt. If the vision you have in that sketchbook of yours is anything like what I've seen about Mirabel- Did you see anything in your pool this morning?"
"No…"
"So, what you drew-"
"It was crazy- the most powerful I've ever-"
"I was afraid of that."
"Why?"
"What I haven't told you is what happens when I tell others my visions. What happens when we tell others what we've seen. They don't understand. They think that we cause it, that if we didn't have the vision, if we didn't tell them-"
"But I can't-"
"I know. Mine is voluntary, yours isn't. And I'm sorry for the burden that must place on you. And I'm not even sure you can stop telling them to others. But I can and I-"
"What are you saying?"
"I'm trying to say that I'm going away. I'm going away to protect everyone."
"Where are we going?"
"I'm going, but I can't ask that of you. Casita is your home, this is your family."
"You're my family!"
"I know, Butterfly. And I know you're too young to understand, but this is best for everyone. I love you."
Bruno extended his arms for a hug and Mariposa squeezed as hard as she could and refused to let go. "I'm not ready to lose you."
"I know. And, trust me, I'm not ready to lose you, either. But after what I saw-"
"What did you see?"
"Follow me."
Bruno led Mariposa to the water. "Look deeply. Concentrate."
Mariposa gazed deeply, their reflection fading away. The water swirled around them and his eyes glowed green. At first, the vision Mariposa had of Mirabel's door appeared, but it was quickly wiped away by sand and replaced with the image of Mirabel in front of a cracked Casita.
"When is this?"
"I don't know."
They water stopped swirling and they were back in Mariposa's room. "Mirabel-"
"I destroyed the vision and hid it," said Bruno, "It's buried deep in my room where no one will find it. And I suggest you forget it, too."
"I will. But Dad-"
"I love you, Butterfly, for always and forever."
"I love you too, for always and forever."
