While Mira set the table and readied la cocina for breakfast Alma merely stood by the table, watching the morning unfold.
Her eyes widened when Casita literally threw their plates at Mira, the dishes slid across the table from the tipped cabinet scaring the old woman. But Mira was prepared for this, the young girl catching them easily as they came at her. More than once a reprimand made its way to the tip of her tongue.
Mirabel be careful! Don't drop the dishes…slow down you're going to fall!
A few had made their way out of her mouth, but her nieta didn't even twitch at the sound of her voice. So for now she bit back her words and simply let her be. There wasn't anything she could actually do either way.
Did Mira always set up for breakfast? Alma wondered suddenly, wondering where the thought had come from. The girl moved around the table and counters with practiced ease, everything in its place as usual, exactly the same as every morning…
"WHEN'S THE NEXT GIFT?!" The question startled Alma and she turned to see three niños just outside, curiously staring through the windows.
"My cousin's ceremony is tonight." Mira didn't even stutter in what she was doing to answer the boy.
My cousin's ceremony is tonight…
Alma blinked as the words caught up to her.
My cousin's ceremony is tonight…
"What's his gift?" The nosy niños asked unabashedly.
"We're gonna find out." She answered easily as she finished setting out the plates.
"WHAT'S YOUR GIFT?!" The boy of the trio seemed to be…hyperactive. Alma frowned at his lack of tact.
"Who's asking?" If Mirabel found the question rude, she didn't show it. She merely smiled coyly at the children like she knew something they didn't…which she did.
Alma's mind went over that one phrase again, stuck on what it could mean.
My cousin's ceremony is tonight…
"US!" The kids chorused.
"Well us, I can't just talk about myself. I'm only a part of the amazing Madrigals." Mira gestured to the family tree once she set down the last plate.
This is…yesterday?
"WHOSE ALL THE AMAZING MADRIGALS?!"
Alma blinked and wondered why she was watching Mirabel…yesterday? What purpose will this serve? Why was she here? How did she get here? The last thing she remembers from last…tonight? was asking Pedro to o-
She had asked for her eyes to be opened…
"Ay, you're not going to leave me alone are you?" - But why was this, watching Mirabel, important? - "Tell you what, I'll meet you guys by the mural after breakfast. Then you can ask all the questions you want, ok?"
Alma was even more confused, but if this was supposed to help then she'll figure it out as she goes. Just like building a village…and raising kids…
"Promise?" The excited niños plead with big eyes.
"Promise." Mira shooed them on their way before heading back out of the kitchen.
She made it three steps before freezing again, reminding the matriarch that in order to progress she had to be near Mira. Alma wondered how tired she would be by the end of the day trying to keep up with her 15 year old nieta.
