Chapter 8

(Felix POV)

Augustin had gone home and as I looked outside I saw that it was still lightly drizzling. She wasn't mad anymore but she was still sad. I looked over at the book that she gave me as I sat down on my bed. I had a lamp next to me as I opened it up. The more I read, the more I knew what she was doing. She was trying to find my parents. I could tell from the stories that she wrote who she talked to.

I reread the words that Pepa wrote down and a bittersweet feeling was bubbling up in my chest. Señora Santiago pretty much stated it my Mama was that woman that night. I tucked the notebook under my bed near the one that I had started years ago. I wonder why no one talked about her. I know that the town honors those who's lives were lost that night: Isabella Sanchez, Pedro Madrigal, Esteban Guzmán, etc. I wonder if anyone knew her name or anything else about her. I let myself fall asleep wondering what it would have been like if she made it into the mountain.

The next day the rain had stopped and I went into work where I saw Pepa standing there. I went to go up to her as I saw her pacing, muttering something like she was practicing what to say. I tapped her on the shoulder, "Pepa." She jumped back as she looked at me, "You scared me." I held back a laugh, "Sorry, but..." I pointed up at a cloud over her head and she sighed shoeing it away. She took a deep breath, "Felix I am sorry about yesterday..." she started on a rant walking back and forth, "Pepa." "And I know that you do not like your birthday and didn't want anyone to know when it was..." "Pepa," I said again. "But I want you to know that it was not my idea to throw you that type of party in the first place..." "Pepa," I tried again. "And I don't think you should be mad at any of us..." I stopped listening to her and grabbed her wrists forcing her to look at me, "Pepa, I'm not mad at you." She looked at me confused, "But yesterday." I nodded my head, "Yes yesterday I was mad and annoyed but, I was never either of those things at you. You were just the one who caught me in a bad mood." She nodded her head, "How are you ok already?" I shrugged, "Life is too short to dwell on this stuff.

I then let out a breath, "And thank you for your gift." She looked down at the ground, "I didn't have enough time to find everything." I nodded my head, "You found a lot more than I did when I was little." "You tried to find out about them before?" She asked and I nodded my head, "Yeah I think we were 7 or 8 at the time. I kind of wanted to know why I wasn't living with my family I stopped looking when we were 9 when I realized no one was going to tell me anymore than I already knew. I only ever heard that I was found in the Santiago's cart which was a miracle of itself and that there were many people who didn't make it into Encanto." She sighed, "Still I'm sorry I couldn't find more." I smirked, "Well Hey from what you heard I am the son of a woman who warned all your families and helped bring you-my friends, and all the families that are still here to safety. That is pretty cool." "FELIX!" I turned and saw Señor Enrique pointing to the fields, "I have to go to work. But don't worry about yesterday, ok?" She nodded her head, "Ok."

(Pepa POV)

I never understood how Felix managed to stay so positive and light. Yesterday was pretty much the exact opposite of what he wanted and he was still smiling letting me know that it was ok. Making me feel better. He really was my best friend. I wanted to find out more for him. I wanted to know what happened and why his Mama left him in that cart. I worked on the weather providing whatever the farmers needed as I always did, but I kept looking over at Felix. He really was the best person I knew. A cool breeze filled the air and it seemed to be much enjoyed by everyone around.

I decided that night that I would ask Mama about Felix's family. She was the one person I hadn't asked before and I think she might know what I am missing. I needed to know and Felix deserved to know. I convinced myself that tonight I was going to ask her.

I went home and was surprise to see Hernando there with a bouquet of flowers. He got up as I came closer, "I am sorry for yesterday Pepa. I thought that it would be nice for everyone to celebrate, but I should have listened to you instead." He said handing me the flowers. Before I had time to even process his apology or what was going on he grabbed my hand, "Come on we are going out. I already cleared it with your Mama." He guided me into town away from Casita in such a whirl I didn't even think if he asked me to come or not. He ended up taking me to the cafe in town for dinner. He spent most of the time talking and I listened as he spoke but I was still trying to absorb everything that was happening. I don't think I wanted to go out tonight, but I honestly wasn't sure anymore. I don't think I was ready to forgive Hernando, but it feels like I already had. I was just so confused.

We walked home and it was feeling warmer as we made our way to Casita. I don't remember saying a word all night, "Thank you for coming with me Pepa. I'm glad we were able to put yesterday behind us." I opened my mouth to say something but he planted a kiss on my lips, "I will see you soon." He walked away and I was left confused on the doorstep. I walked inside and saw Casita had a vase with water ready of the flowers. I went up to my room and went to sleep trying to understand everything that just happened.

As the night passed I remembered that I wanted to talk to Mama about Felix's family but I had completely forgotten. I would talk to her in the morning I decided. I don't know what was wrong with me or what even happened today, but I knew that Felix should still get his answers.

I kept reminding myself of this as I went down to see Mama. She saw me walking downstairs, "Pepa how was your night with Hernando last night?" I smiled, "It was fine." She nodded her head, "He is such a good child. All of the Santiagos are great." I nodded my head, "Mama there was actually something I wanted to talk to you about." "What is it hija?" She asked and I let out a long breath, "What do you know about the woman who warned everyone about the fires when you were kicked out of your village?" Her eyes widened, "Wow I was not prepared for that." She muttered to herself, "Why are you asking about her?" I bit my bottom lip, "Because I'm pretty sure she is- was Felix's Mama." Mama sighed, "We don't talk about her for a reason hija. Many people came together to make this decision. I don't know who told you about her, but I'm not going to tell you anymore."

She was getting up to leave when I asked, "Would you talk to Felix then?" She turned back to face me, "She is his family." Mama sighed, "There is an agreement in place. He is 16 right?" I nodded my head, "Yes Mama." She let out a long breath before Casita opened a drawer for her. She reached down and picked up an envelope. I saw the word Felix written across it. "We found this with him. You can give it to him if you wish." I smiled, "Thank you Mama." She closed the drawer, "I hope that helps."

(Felix POV)

- the next day -

I saw Pepa sitting on my doorstep as I was coming home from work, "Everything alright?" I asked. She held up an envelope and I saw my name on the outside, "You wrote me a note?" She shook her head, "This was from your Mama." My eyes widened as I staggered back, "That isn't funny Pepa. I know you were looking into this but..." She looked me in the eye, "I talked with my Mama. She gave me this to give to you. It was found with you in the cart that night." I looked at the weather and saw that a fog was rolling in. Fog? I had never seen Pepa cause fog before, "Pepa, what's going on?" She handed me in the letter, "You are going to want to read this." We walked inside together and I sat down opening the envelope.