Chapter 10:
(Camilo POV)
I climbed out of bed as the realization that it was the last Thursday of the month and I wasn't going to see Liv. I made my way out of bed as Mirabel woke all of us up. She seemed happy for Antonio but the entire family and I knew we were going to have to keep an eye on her today just in case. I remember how hard it was for her and even though we were close anymore I wanted to be there for her. I also wanted to be there for Antonio, getting your gift is scary. I made my way downstairs and grabbed an arepa before heading out the door. We were all getting our chores done early today so we can all be free tonight which meant one thing, no late night babysitting.
It almost made up for the fact that I wasn't going to see Olivia today. I had half a mind to try to sneak away to see her but, I knew that today that was not going to work though. Not only was her Papa suspicious of anyone coming to her house but, today all eyes were on my family even more than usual. They want to see if we are going to falter or if we are worried about Antonio not getting a gift. People had been accidentally telling me about it thinking I was someone else. I know I didn't know as much as Dolores did, but I knew a lot of the town gossip through my gift too.
I made my way into town like I always did and I saw Sarah Perez. She and Isabella used to be friends and I knew that she recently had a baby. She looked exhausted as her baby was screaming in her arms. I let out a long breath, I wasn't planning on babysitting today but she clearly needed the break. I went up to her and changed into her. I picked up a pillow on the end on her porch swing and brought it over to her, "Would you like a break?" She smiled at me as tears brimmed her eyes, "Bless you."
I nodded my head and she didn't make it far before she fell asleep on the porch swing. I looked down at the baby as she cooed up at me. For a little while I was able to take my mind off the fact that I wouldn't see Liv for a while. For a little while. As the baby was becoming more alert I began changing shape throwing the baby up in the air and catching her in my arms. She would giggle each time I did so. I knew how to make kids smile, I thought to myself. I changed back into myself for a little bit as I played with the baby some more. She was already comfortable with me and Isabella was doing her thing nearby. I was a town favorite, I'm not going to lie, but whenever Isabella was around I became invisible which let me take a break for a few moments. When Sarah started to stir I turned back into her. She smiled up at me and took back her baby, "Thank you Camilo." I changed back to myself and dipped my head towards her, "Of course."
I began walking away when someone through a ball at me. "Camilo please come play," One of them called out. It was Cecilia. She was one of the sweeter kids and she would always at least say please. I didn't want to let her down especially as more kids came over. I turned into Cecila and threw the ball, "Let's play." I played ball in town with the kids for a little bit shifting between different forms of people in town that I knew these kids knew.
I made my way home. Everyone was going to need help setting up, plus I wanted to see Antonio before his ceremony. I saw Abuela, "Camilo I need you to go upstairs and overlook everything you know and if anyone changes course change into me and give the demand." I nodded my head and placed myself at the top of the stairs. Everything was running pretty smoothly, "Looking good guys." I said with a smile. Abuela's voice then appeared behind me, "Camilo we need another José."
I nodded my head and went over to Antonio's door saying, "JOSÉ" as I transformed. We hung up the banner over what was going to be Antonio's new room. Abuela then leaned over to me and whispered, "I got it from here why don't you go see what you can do to help and then go greet people as they come in?" I nodded my head and went to go down.
Before I reached the stairs though I could see the storm that was forming as Mama was becoming more stressed. It didn't take long for the storm to pass though because of Papa. I smiled at the way they interacted with each other. Papa always cared about Mama and he was always there for her even when her gift was a little bit more difficult to manage. It kind of made me think about Olivia. I smiled to myself some more. I knew that I shouldn't but I already made up my mind for myself I was going to figure out a way to sneak out and make my way there. Not today, it couldn't be today but I would soon and that thought made me happy.
- 4 hours later -
I kept trying to make my way over to talk to Antonio but I was being pulled in different directions to help decorate. I didn't mind, I wanted this to be a good day for Antonio. It was his last day as a kid and I hoped he enjoyed it. When I finally had gotten a free minute everyone in town was making their way up for the celebration and I was the designated family greeter. I don't know how many times I transformed but I could feel myself getting sore from the constant changes to how I appeared. Shapeshifting always took a lot our of me.
I looked back at the clock and gestured my head toward Luisa for us to come inside. She nodded her head and walked over to me, "Everyone here?" She asked. I shrugged, "I don't know for sure but it is almost time and we need to head inside." She nodded her head and I turned into her for a second and did the head nod she always gave me. I turned back into myself as she snickered shaking her head, "Come on. I'm sure there is a bunch of stuff that they need us to do in the house too." I sighed, "Our work is never done." She gave me a smile shaking her head but I knew that we booth knew that it was the truth. Luisa and I had very different jobs.
I remembered when I was really little that we shared the nursery together but she moved out pretty soon after when she got her gift. She still tried to take care of Mirabel and I when we were little but she was also always one of the last people home. When I started babysitting we'd sometimes get home around the same time. I also knew that she would wait for me in town whenever I was coming home last. Luisa and I aren't close by any means but I do know that we care about each other and that she would have my back no matter what which is why I tried to have hers.
I made my way down to the back room where Papa and Mama were. "I hope he gets a good one," Mama was whispering to Papa. I gave her a smiled, "Of course he will." She gave me a sad smile like she knew that it wasn't a guarantee. I knew that it wasn't too but, it was the only thing we could do for right now. Dolores joined us, "He will be down soon." We nodded our heads and she was right soon after Mirabel was walking Antonio over.
Mama went to hug him and Papa went down next to her brushing away the cloud that was over her head as she was becoming more and more emotional, "Amor you are going to get him all wet," Papa said lightly. Antonio looked a little bit nervous and I wanted to do something to make him laugh. I then jumped to the front and turned into a smaller version of Papa, "You make your Papa proud." "I don't sound like that Papa said. I mimicked him, "I don't sound like that." Dolores then lifted her hand to her ear before telling us, "Abuela says it's time." Papa nodded his head, "Ok vamo, vamo, vamo." I copied him again and then I felt his hands on my shoulder. I knew it was time for the joke to end and changed back into myself, "Ok." Papa placed me down on the other side of the curtain. I gave him a smirk and he shook his head, "Aye what am I going to do with you?" He was smiling though as he and Mama walked up to join Abuela by Antonio's door.
I walked over to wear my cousins were waiting and went over to Tía Julieta. My hand was bouncing against my leg. I was getting nervous as it got closer and Tía saw this. She took my hand, "He is going to do great ahijado." I nodded my head, "Yeah he will." We all watched as the curtain opened and all eyes were on Antonio. He was looking at someone in the corner and I saw Mirabel walk out. My heart dropped for her. I knew that she and Antonio were close but, was this going to be too much. No one made a sound as Antonio and Mirabel made their way up and we waited for him to get his gift. I gripped Tía's hand a little bit tighter as Antonio reached out to touch his doorknob.
A few moments later as animals made their way through the house and Antonio's door took its full form I couldn't help but cheer for him. He did it he got a gift and I hoped that he liked it. We made our way up to his room and it was amazing. He had his own treehouse meanwhile my room was pretty much a funhouse with all the mirrors, still it looked like he was having so much fun. I stood by Dolores as Antonio made his way back to us after starting to explore his room. He had a broad smile on his face and I thought that his night had to have been perfect.
I couldn't wait to tell Liv all about this. I wished she had been here and that she could have seen all of this herself. I then let out a sigh, sometimes I let myself forget that she wouldn't have been able to see it even if she was here and that always put my stomach in a knot. I knew that tonight probably wasn't the right time but I had to know.
I had been asking around town as different people if Tía's gift had ever not worked and besides when people were dying and it was there time to die her gift never failed. It never failed and Señor Santiago swore that he wanted nothing to do with any Madrigal ever again especially after Tía was unable to stop his wife from dying. Would he really go to her for his daughter after that happened? The more I thought about it the more doubtful I felt about its truth.
Everyone was dancing and having a good time and I took the opportunity to pull Tía Julieta to the side, "What is wrong Milo?" She asked with a smile on her face. I looked down at my feet, "I have a question about the Santiago's." Her smile dipped for a second as she looked side to side to make sure that no one knew that I was bringing this up. She then leaned in closer and whispered, "What about the Santiago's?" "Has Señor Santiago ever asked for your help again... after what happened to Señora Santiago?" Tía shook her head, "No. I have never talked to him or his daughter since that day. No one in our family has and you know that."
I nodded my head as my mind went to Liv. She was convinced that her Papa had asked for Tía's help before. I knew how much she values the truth, after I lied about who I was, what was going to happen when she found our her Papa lied.
I was going to ask Tía more about it when all the sudden we heard Mirabel screaming that something was wrong with the candle. NO. I thought. Nothing can happen to our miracle. Not right now. I need to make sure that I can help Liv first. If she never tried Tía's food then there was still a chance that she might be able to see again. I had to offer her that opportunity. When we went outside everything was fine. The cracks that Mirabel was talking about were gone. The candle was still shinning strong and Abuela was convinced that everything was alright. Still something felt wrong. I couldn't wait another month to tell Liv about this especially if something was going on with the miracle. I made a decision to myself that I would try to talk to her tomorrow.
