Chapter 6:
(Camilo POV)
- 5 months later -
My routine was the same as before. I spent my entire days helping everyone. I was whoever everyone wanted me to be. I would talk with Dolores most days before going into town to see who I could best help and Abuela started sending me out for babysitting at night sometimes when parents in town asked for the Parent Replacement Special (I hated that people actually called it that). I never complained though. I would always try to spend some time with Antonio and with Mirabel whenever they came into town and it made my day a little bit better, but nothing was better than the last Thursday of the month from 9-6. I would bring her new things that she could feel and tell her all about them. The more elaborate my stories the more she seemed to enjoy them. I liked coming up with a history for each object and how it found its way to her. Who knew I was actually good at telling stories?
Those were reserved for Olivia and Cameron. Every time it came closer I tried to convince myself not to go there or to leave early or that it was too dangerous, but then I would start talking to her and I knew that I wasn't going to leave. I honestly knew that I was going to go there no matter what each time but, it was important that I knew how dangerous it was, because it was dangerous not only for me, but I couldn't leave her there alone. She didn't like to talk much about what her days were like but I was starting to understand that she spent most of her time alone in silence. I hated that for her. She deserved so much more and it was all my fault that she couldn't have the more that she deserved. Her Papa was 'protective' over her to use her preferred word choice.
Sometimes I thought about bringing her Tía Julieta's food to see if it would bring her vision back. I wanted her to be able to see the world around her and be able to experience it like everyone else but, I could never bring myself to do it. If I brought Tía Julieta's food I could either tell her the truth and she would have to say no because of what her Papa wants or I could lie to her but that felt even worse. I was already lying to her about who I was but, I could never lie to her about that. It was already my fault she lost her vision, I wasn't going to take away her choice on whether or not she tried to get it back.
I thought a few times about where I would take her if we ever left the church, what I would want her to hear, feel and taste. I made my way into the church and smiled as I sat down next to her. "Cameron," she said excitedly as I sat down next to her. She was always excited to see me and it made me feel so good, "Hey Liv is this seat taken?" She smirked, "Is it ever?" I slide next to her, "Yeah by me." She laughed a little. She had slowly started becoming more relaxed when she saw me and I loved that. I started calling her Liv not that long ago. She put down what she was working on and I finally had to ask, "What are you always working on when I get here?" She looked surprised by the question but she then picked it up again and showed me, "I'm not great at it and I have no idea what they look like but." She handed me the blanket, "I give them to the priest and he gives them to people that need it in town." I smirked to myself, "That is amazing." She shrugged, "It is one of the few things I can actually do."
I let out a sigh, "It is amazing Olivia don't try to make it sound like anything less." She smiled to herself before she turned in my direction. "Tell me something." I leaned back, "What do you want to know?" She shrugged, "Anything." I laughed a little, "Think you can narrow it down a little bit?" She then settled on her question, "Talk me about your family." I was caught off guard. We had meet a few times now and she never asked about them before. "I have an older sister and a younger brother. We all live in the same house as my Abuela, Tía, Tío and their daughters."
She frowned at me, "Cameron? What's wrong?" "Nothing," I said trying to figure out where she thought that from. "You went quiet. The way you talked about your family you were telling me about who they are but you weren't talking about who they are to you. Do you not have a good relationship or something?" I choked out, "No, no it is nothing like that." She nodded her head, "So what is wrong?" I sighed, "My family expects a lot from every member of it. Everything I do is for the family. I don't even know who I am outside of my family." I swallowed the lump in my throat. I never said that out loud before but, I trusted Olivia.
She simply moved her hand along the bench to find my hand and tapped on it so I would turn my palm up. She then held onto my hand, "Well to me at least you are someone who makes me smile, makes me feel normal and connected with people. Someone who comes up with the greatest stories I have ever heard. You are so sweet and kind and you sit with me for hours every time I'm here. You made me feel less alone" She let out a breath, "I have no idea who you are in your family but to me you are the best and only friend I have ever really had and there is no one else I would ever want you to be." I looked at her as she was smiling. It was the first time her smile ever felt real and genuine. She didn't care who else I could be or turn into. She didn't want anything from me.
I then looked at her, "Well what can you tell me about your family?" She let out a breath, "My Mama was really pretty. I remember that. She used to sing to me all the time and read me stories every night before I went to sleep. She loved me a lot. The day that she died Julieta Madrigal came to our house and tried to help her but, she couldn't." I sighed, "You must miss her." She nodded her head, "I know that I was little, but after she died everything changed." I took a breath as I looked at her. Her eyes welled with tears.
I couldn't just watch this. "I'm going to come closer and wrap you in a hug." I always found it better to tell her before I did anything, I didn't want her to be surprised. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in close for a hug. Her arms wrapped around me pretty soon after as she held onto me. She let out a long breath as she calmed herself down, "I haven't talked about her i a really long time." She said as she leaned back into the pew. I took that as a cue to let her go and moved to sit back down.
She took another breath before saying, "Thank you. I really needed that." I smiled at her knowing that she couldn't see me. I looked in the big of the things I brought with me, "Always, but hey I brought something with me that I think that you would like, but this one is not for you to feel." She cocked her head to the side, "What is it?" I smirked, "One of my brother's favorite stories." Her smiled broadened, "Read it to me." I cleared my throat, "Once upon a time.."
As I read I would look up at her as she smiled. She closed in her eyes, out of what looked to be a childhood habit as she focused in on each of the words. As I finished she opened her eyes and faced my direction. I looked at the clock and knew that it was time for me to leave, "I have to go." She nodded her head, "Thank you for sitting with me." I smiled, "Should I bring another story with me next time?" "You are coming back?" She asked like she asked every time I left. "Yeah, next time." She nodded her head and then went back to making blankets.
As I went to leave I looked around the church. It was so small and all she ever got to experience when she came into town. She deserved to be able to have more. She deserved more. I had to think of a way to give her more. Because even if I was the only friend she had and apparently wanted she deserved to have so much more and I was determined to be the one to help give that to her.
- 1 month later -
I wanted to do something special this upcoming visit for Olivia, but I wasn't sure what. It was Tuesday afternoon so I had a few days to figure things out. I wanted to take her out of the church but that seemed too risky. I thought about bringing her something special, but I always did that. I then thought about telling her the truth about who I was but, I was terrified that she would say that she didn't want me around anymore. I sighed and focused what I was working on I would figure something out later.
I was currently helping the town rebuild some family's roof, I was the best person to bring stuff up and down there and if anything went wrong I could change shape to help them out. Suddenly I heard Abuela calling me, "Camilo!" I turned to everyone else turning into myself, "I'll be back in a minute." The nodded their head.
I went down to Abuela, "Hi Abuela. What is going on?" She smiled, "Well there is going to be a town meeting tomorrow night and a few families with young children want you to babysit. Don't worry your sister and cousins are going to help you." I let out a breath, "How many kids are we talking about?" She just brushed off the question and that told me all I needed to know. "Abuela, I can only be one parent at a time. I can't do that for multiple families." She shook her head, "You will be dealing with the babies. You turn into their parent when they need your attention the others will handle the older kids. It will go perfectly Camilo." She tapped my cheek and I sighed nodding my head, "I'll see what I can do." "Wonderful. Now go back to work," she said clapping her hands. It wasn't like her almost 14 year old grandson was already exhausted why not add babysitting every young child in town.
I nodded my head and shifted to climb back up to the roof. Wednesday night was going to be a complete nightmare. Luisa could handle the older kids they loved to climb up on her and Mirabel was good with kids as seen with Antonio but, Dolores always has a migraine after being around too many kids for too long because they were just too loud for her and Isabella was good with kids for about 15 minutes and then the flower tricks get old and she has no idea what to do (I don't think she really even likes kids but I'm the only one who seemed to notice).
I got off a little bit early today and rolled my neck as my body was completely sore as I started making the trek back to Casita. I know that it wasn't that far from the rest of town and that I really shouldn't be complaining, but after a long day of changing shape, manual labor, and wrangling kids, I just wanted to collapse. As I left town I let my body hunch over from exhaustion as I made my way closer to home. I was outside the door leaning my head against it to keep myself standing. I took a deep breath, straightened out my posture and put a smile on my face. For most people home was where they could rest, for me home was just act 2. I walked inside walking confidently as I looked around at everyone else. I helped wherever I could I ate my dinner keeping Antonio entertained as I did. I talked with Mama for a bit. I don't think anyone knew how exhausting it was for me to change into someone else, they always had one other thing that they wanted me to do.
When I was finally able to go to my room. I took a picture of myself, taped it to the mirror and hoped on my bed. I wondered what Olivia was doing. That often came to mind, because she would never want to talk about it when we were in the church. I never thought to ask her before, but after my last visit maybe I could. I looked over at the table at the stuff I was going to bring her. Some stones that I found by the river, a piece of wood, another book, along with other things. I put down some marbles that I had found abandoned in the road as I was playing with the kids. I was sure I could come up with something that she would love to hear for those.
My thoughts were interrupted as I heard a knock on the door, "Come in." I said and I saw Dolores making her way inside. She sat down on the foot of my bed, "So Abuela told me about tomorrow." I took a breath and had a feeling I would regret saying this, "You don't have to come Dolores. It is honestly going to get loud and crazy for me. I can't imagine what it would be like with your hearing." Her eyes widened, "Are you sure? I mean Abuela said..." I looked up at her, "I'm in charge of the Parent Replacement Special," I gritted out the name, "I'm telling you that it is fine. Maybe just keep an ear out in case any of the kids try to runaway?" She smiled nodding her head, "I think I can manage that. Thank you."
She went to leave when she saw the stuff I had set aside for Olivia, "What are these?" I had to think of something quick, "Just some stuff for a friend." So not a complete lie but I left myself open for more questions. "Which friend?" She asked as she picked up the stone. "Not one that you know," I said taking it from her hand and putting it back down. She put her hands on her hips, "We live in a town surrounded by a mountain I know or at least know of everyone." I turned to face her and let out a breath, "Dolores." The look on my face must have told her something as she smirked, "They are for a girl aren't they." I didn't know what to say, I knew she wasn't going to let this go, "Please don't actively try to listen for me now."
She clapped her hand together, "I knew it. I knew that you liked someone. You have to tell me who she is." I shook my head, "Dolores, please." "Come one Camilo, tell me who your crush is," she said teasingly. And idea popped in my head but it was a long shot, "Only if you tell me who yours is first." She went silent. A look flashed across her face as if she was just hit by a wave of understanding before nodding her head, "Alright don't tell me." She brought her hand to the chocker that she always wore, "They are really pretty. I'm sure she will love them." We were both quiet for a moment. "Just promise me you will tell me about her when you are ready." I nodded my head. "Then I promise not to try and listen in on you." I wrapped her in a hug.
She went to walk away when I said, "She is my favorite person to talk to. She is really sweet and kind and I think she deserves more than what life gave her." Dolores smiled at me, "Then give her what she deserves." I shook my head, "I can't. If I did I would be taking the choice away from her. I'm never going to do that to her." I knew I probably wasn't making any sense at all but as I looked up at Dolores I saw that she smiled, "You like her a lot don't you." I nodded my head knowing there was no point in denying that. "Sounds like she is lucky to have a friend like you." I smirked to myself, "I'm pretty sure I'm the lucky one." Dolores shook her head, "Thanks for telling me about my future sister-in-law." She left the room before I could object to what she said. I leaned back and sighed into my pillow. Tomorrow was going to be my nightmare but, the day after I get to be Cameron. I let my eyes close as I left reality behind.
- the next night -
I knew from the moment Abuela told me about this that this night was going to be a nightmare. I really wish I had been wrong. That night was an absolute blur of screaming children, 16 different parents faces (8 families worth of kids where there) to remember and rounding up all the older kids who were constantly trying to start trouble. Mirabel wasn't with us that night, apparently Abuela never told her about it and she stayed home to watch Antonio leaving me alone with Luisa and Isabella, both of whom never worked with kids for extended periods of time. About 10 minutes in I could see the sheer panic on Isabella's face and how Luisa had no idea what to do next. I had to take the lead and soon it became that I was watching all the kids with the occasional assistance of my cousins.
We were all in the church because that was where it was decided to bring all these kids and I have no idea where they held the town meeting. When all their parents did come to pick them up Isabella and Luisa were the ones that handled that as I started to clean up the gigantic mess that everyone had made.
Abuela came in after, "So how was it?" I looked at her with pure exhaustion, "No more than 3 families at a time from now on." She looked around and saw how much damage the children had done to the church and back at me. "Are you sure..." I just shook my head, "No more than 3." She sighed but nodded her head. I caught a flicker of disappointment on her face and I knew what it was about. If we weren't helping everyone in the community then we weren't helping the miracle but, I was at my limit. It felt so good for all of them to see how exhausted I was and how I couldn't do everything, maybe they would stop putting everything on me because of it.
I felt myself being shaken awake as I looked up at Padre Sanchez. "Camilo, you need to leave" he said. I looked around and realized I was still in the church, "What happened?" He looked at me, "You fell asleep her last night while you were cleaning up, but you have to go now." My head was starting to clear and suddenly my eyes widened it was Thursday morning which meant that Señor Santiago would be here any minute. Suddenly I heard a cart pull off the priest looked at me and I instinctively changed form and sat down in a pew. He looked at me wide-eyed but then walked away. He went to the front door and I heard him talking to Señor Santiago. I looked back and watched as Olivia held his hand as he guided her to the spot that she sat alone everyday. "I will be back to get you later," he said and Olivia nodded her head. He then turned and left but, then spoke to Padre Sanchez, "None of them go anywhere near my daughter, understood?" He nodded his head and Señor Santiago left. Padre Sanchez then came back up to me, "He is gone Cameron." I let out a sharp exhale until I realized what name he said.
