After the family cleaned up Bruno was in the kitchen helping Carina and Julietta do dishes. Well, he was sitting in a chair drying as Carina put things away and Juli washed but he was helping as much as they would let him. Listening to the conversation between 'rina and Juli he smiled happy to be back with them.
The moment was broken when Mama entered the room, "Brunito…"
Carina was instantly beside him and glaring at his mother, "What right do you have to call him Brunito now?"
She would have said more but Bruno took her hand, "Lets hear what Mama has to say." Nodding once Carina looked at Senora Madrigal ready to throw hands if necessary.
Swallowing hard Mama spoke, "I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness but I am sorry for what I did to you." Carina was tensing so Bruno squeezed her hand as Mama continued, "I want us to heal as a family and be whole again."
This time Bruno spoke all the while stroking the back of Carinas hand with his thumb to have her stay calm, "I don't need or want your apology Mama." Looking at her, "And you stopped treating me like family when I was ten years old before all but forcing me away from my sisters." Standing up with Cariana beside him, "I have healed in the last ten years, not completely healthily but I don't need you at all." Looking her in the eyes, "You can come to the wedding but you are just another villager, not a member of my family."
Tears formed in Senora Madrigals eyes but Bruno wrapped an arm around Carina and walked out of the kitchen with her beside him. He knew Julietta would look after their mother and he needed to say all of that as it was true. Kissing Carinas temple he knew that he had all he needed without his mother, and only time would tell if they could ever heal enough to be family again.
