︵‿୨ - March 25 1951 - ୧‿︵
Bruno spent easter Sunday in prayer with his family. A large Sunday mass was held in the plaza given the church was too small to fit the whole town. All gathered up and dressed in their best. Seated in whatever spare chairs people brought out. It was a good day, lovely weather. Bruno sat beside his mother who held his hand all through the service. Bruno hadn't realized how much he missed this. These little moments with his mother. Just feeling close to her.
Once mass was over everyone was free to mingle about the plaza. Chatting and relaxing. The more elaborate festivities having mostly passed, today was just simple closeness. Calm but happy. Bruno enjoyed bantering with his hermanas and hanging out with his cuñados and sobrinos, but Easter was really more of a Mamá holiday. Last Christmas was his first major holiday back home. He'd spent most of it playing with the kids. Even though half of them weren't really kids anymore. This time around he focused on his mother. He let her drag him around the plaza as she chatted with friends and neighbors. Showing off how handsome her son looked in his suit. Bruno would give Agustín his credit. It was a good gift, even if Bruno hadn't fully appreciated it at first.
Bruno was laughing with Diego over something when Mamá noticed someone from across the plaza. Mamá always tried to keep tabs on their community. On how well all their neighbors were doing. Trying to make sure that everyone was cared for. She had her blind spots for sure, usually in her own family. That said, there were some things she could spot from a mile away. An exhausted, struggling, mother was one of those things.
"Brunito." Mamá muttered under her breath. Patting Bruno's shoulder. She pulled his attention to a woman sitting by the town hall.
Bruno looked over in the direction Mamá pointed. He felt a faint anxiety when he saw who it was that had caught his mother's attention. A middle-aged woman in a paint-stained green dress was sitting in the shade with her new baby. The tiny little boy was wailing despite his mother's best efforts to soothe him. The father was sleeping in a chair beside his wife. Their two older boys ran around shouting. Whacking each other with sticks.
"Looks like Etelvina and Miguel are having trouble with the new baby." Diego commented.
Mamá didn't take her eyes off the family. Only nodded and closed her shawl around her chest. "I'll go check on them."
Bruno tried to protest as his mother started off in the other family's direction. Her arm still hooked in his. She absentmindedly dragged him along like she'd been doing all day. Whatever words Bruno attempted to stammer out died in his throat once he came in earshot of Etelvina.
Etelvina looked up at Mamá with tired eyes. Her tight curls coming loose from her dark teal bandana. Her blouse was ruffled and rested askew on her chest. "Lo siento Alma I don't know why he's crying." She apologized. Bruno's ex-fiance looked so lost and ashamed. "He's been fed and changed I can't get him to sleep-"
"Oh no disculpas, estás bien." Mamá assured sweetly. "Puedo?" She asked, holding her hands out. Finally freeing Bruno's arm in the process.
Bruno considered taking this opportunity to flee. He didn't. He wanted to. There was still a kneejerk desire to avoid the girl whose heart he broke all those years ago. He'd been engaged three times. Out of all of them, Etelvina was probably the closest he came to loving a woman. Not that he didn't love her at the time, just… not the way she needed him to. He wished he could have loved her the way a husband was meant to. He wanted to. He desperately wanted it to work. Tried for months to convince himself he could make it work. Only giving up when he realized he'd never be able to give her the kind of love she deserved. He could never truly make her happy. So he let her go
Mamá took the crying baby from Etelvina and rocked him gently. "Ay ay ay, bebé precioso." She soothed as the tiny boy screamed and sobbed in her arms. "Don't worry mija Bruno was the same way when he was small." Mamá reassured Etelvina.
"Mamá." Bruno whined indignantly.
Etelvina only then seemed to register Bruno was there. Looking up at Bruno with wide eyes. Tired dark circles marred Etelvina's otherwise lovely face.
Bruno looked back at her awkwardly and rubbed his arm. "Uh, hola?" He greeted shyly. Offering his ex a timid little wave.
"Hola Bruno." Etelvina replied simply. She blinked like she wasn't sure if she was actually seeing him or not. It looked like she hadn't slept in days. Her husband was still snoring loudly beside her.
Mamá shifted the crying baby around a bit. Settling his belly on her forearm and holding him up at an odd angle, still supporting the little one securely. The tiny boy's wailing slowed to a stop as he looked around in astonishment. Seeing the world from a slightly different angle seemed to distract him from whatever it was he was upset about.
"Allá vamos, that's better." Mamá cooed proudly. "See, no need to cry."
Etelvina looked back at Mamá awestruck and rushed to shake her husband awake. "Mi vida look!"
Miguel snorted as he jolted awake. "Hm, what?" He looked up at Mamá and the baby amazed. "Ay gracias a Dios. How did you do that?" He marveled. Shoving back his hat to massage the side of his head. Bruno could only imagine the migraine he must be nursing.
Mamá shrugged. "I've learned a few tricks over the years." She patted the baby's back gently with her hand while he looked around.
Etelvina looked about ready to cry from relief. Mamá turned her attention to the father. "Miguel have you been-" Before she could finish the thought Miguel heard one of his other boys shouting in the distance and spun around in his chair.
"Ay Valentín! Get down from there!" Miguel barked. He bolted up from his seat before Mamá could finish her question and rushed over to make sure the older boys didn't hurt themselves.
Etelvina let out a tired sigh. "He's been trying." She defended. "But the boys are enough of a handful on their own. I've been mostly handling the baby while he keeps track of them. We've tried getting family over to help but the last week or so everyone else has been busy." Bruno listened as the poor exhausted mother rattled off siblings and parents, tios and primos all busy with one thing or another. It was a stroke of bad luck that the couple were struggling to find help right now.
"We haven't slept in weeks and the construction crew needs Miguel's help on the new storehouse tomorrow." Etelvina maligned.
Mamá hummed thoughtfully as she rocked the little one in her arms. "You should have let us know you were having such a hard time. I'll make sure to take Miguel of the construction crew for a while. I'll have Camilo come over tomorrow to help with the baby so you can get some rest."
"Uhm, Mamá." Bruno muttered. Tugging at his mother's sleeve. "Camilo has story hour tomorrow."
"You and Wilfredo can handle that on your own." Mamá dismissed. "Camilo!" She called out.
Bruno looked across the plaza to spot Camilo talking to Ayla by the bar. Bruno still felt a little guilty for not reigning in Camilo's behavior during bible study. The boy has been making a habit of teasing Ayla whenever he got the chance. Ayla herself seemed like a smart and put-together girl. She always kept her hair split into tidy brains and was the most talkative kid at senior story hour. Always asking questions and carefully dissecting media. Wilfredo loved talking to her. Sometimes Bruno had to cut the two of them off as they often went on long rambling tangents. Ayla would keep asking questions in response to Wilfredo's answers and spiral into unrelated topics.
Whatever the kids were talking about Camilo was deeply invested. Grinning ear to ear. Ayla looked annoyed but defeated. A bit like Pepa or Julieta whenever Bruno managed to convince them to help him weasel out of something. Bruno couldn't help but wonder what kind of mischief Camilo was dragging this poor girl into.
"Camilo." Mamá called out to her grandson from across the plaza.
Camilo didn't respond at first. Too enraptured in whatever he was talking about. He briefly shifted into another slightly older boy from town. A bit stronger with a sharp jar and piercing eyes. Making teasing kissing faces at Ayla. She shoved Camilo's face away with her hand. He shifted back with a laugh.
"Camilo!" Mamá snapped irritably.
Mirabel was hanging out nearby chatting with Isabela and some boy Bruno didn't recognize. He looked familiar. It occurred to Bruno that he saw Isabela flag down that same boy at his and his sister's birthday party. Must be a close friend of hers. Bruno couldn't help but feel a little frustrated by how out of touch he was with his sobrino's lives. Mirabel heard Mamá calling and patted Camilo on the arm. When he didn't seem to notice right away Mirabel snatched her distracted primo by his poncho and dragged him over.
"Ay, ay, estoy yendo." Camilo whined. Struggling to free his clothes from Mirabel's grip. Mirabel let go with a smirk and an eye-roll.
Camilo looked up at Mamá with an exasperated sigh. "Sí Abuela, what do you need?" He moaned.
Mamá raised an eyebrow at Camilo. That was all it took for the boy to bite his lip and straighten up. Mamá had been trying to give the kids more leeway. Trying to be softer, more understanding. She wasn't a pushover. She still made it very clear with just a glance that she wouldn't tolerate Camilo's sass.
"Uh, can I help you with anything?" Camilo asked more respectfully.
Mamá nodded very slightly. Approving of the change in his tone. "Señora Jiménez has been struggling lately. She needs someone to help with her new bebito tomorrow." She explained. Cradling the fussy little boy on her arm.
Impressive that Mamá had enough confidence in Camilo to trust him with such a difficult child. That said Camilo often babysat for neighbors. He was known to be surprisingly good with babies for a kid his age. Even with Antonio when he was small.
Bruno never got to spend much time with Tonito when he was born. The thought of how much of his sobrino's life he'd missed out on still hurt. When Antonio was very small Bruno would occasionally sneak into the nursery at night to check on him. Always taking great pains not to wake Mirabel who was a mercifully heavy sleeper. Every now and again Bruno would settle the little boy when he woke up. Pepa bragged about what a good sleeper he was.
Antonio was a sweet little boy who had nightmares more often than his mother ever knew. Bruno loved holding him and rocking him back to sleep. As Antonio got older however he had to stop risking those late-night visits. By the time he rejoined the family Antonio couldn't remember him at all.
In his absence, Bruno would often catch Camilo comforting his hermanito. Playing with him, rocking him to sleep.
Occasionally scaring him with stories of evil Tío Bruno…
Camilo was good with children. Always had been. He'd be a good father someday. Bruno always liked the idea of having kids of his own but the older he got the more he made peace with the fact that would never happen.
"I can't Abuela. Ayla agreed to go la cascada de cristal with me tomorrow." Camilo protested.
His sobrino's frustrated whine pulled Bruno's trailing thoughts to the present. Staring passed Mamá at the boy in bewilderment. La cascada de cristal was a waterfall hotspring in the mountainside where young couples would often go to make out… among other things. It was a lovely little romantic destination. Not a place Bruno expected his sobrino to be bringing a girl anytime soon.
Mamá seemed equally shocked as she looked back at Camilo wide-eyed. She opened her mouth as if to respond Mirabel cut her off.
"Por Dios! How in the world did you bully her into going with you!?" Mirabel cackled.
Camilo turned bright red and puffed up his cheeks. "I didn't bully her into anything!" He crossed his arms and huffed. "Is it really so hard to believe she'd want to spend time with me?"
"SÍ!" Mirabel replied with an emphatic laugh.
"Perdone, you said you were going to la cascada de cristal?" Mamá asked in disbelief.
Etelvina looked between Mamá and Camilo awkwardly while they talked. Watching her baby boy fidget in Mamá's arms.
"Oh no, it's not like that." Camilo insisted. Rushing to defend himself before his big mouth got in trouble. Pepa would tan his hide if she caught wind of him getting saucy with some girl. Especially a girl he'd never so much as brought home to meet the family. "You know la mujer llorosa?" He asked.
Mamá furrowed her brow. "The ghost that haunts the falls?" She replied skeptically.
Camilo nodded eagerly. "Ayla's investigating supernatural phenomenon in the valley." He explained. He leaned back on his heels. A confident grin on his face as he clearly regurgitated Ayla's own words. "She suspects since Casa's magic is real that other stories in the valley might be too and wants to try and wants to try and rule out fact from fiction."
"Really bringing out the big boy words to impress su novia hu?" Mirabel teased and nudged her primo on the shoulder. Shoving him hard enough to break his confident stance.
Camilo made a face like a wet cat. "She's not mi novia." He protested. Fixing his ruffled curls. "Yet." He muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Mamá challenged.
"Nothing." Camilo insisted. He clasped his hands together and let his body drop forward. Hanging from his abuela by an invisible thread. "Por favor, por favor abuela. I finally got her to agree to let me come with. I might not get another chance if I ditch." He whined.
Mamá looked unmoved at first. Camilo wasn't deterred. After a minute of puppy-eyed pouting, Mamá let out a defeated sigh. "Fine, but only as long as you promise to keep your hands to yourself." She warned. Pointing a stern finger at Camilo.
The little baby boy perched on her arm seemed to be getting bored. Fiddling with his tight clenched little fits. His face scrunched up and turned pink before he started wailing again. Etelvina deflated. The light seemed to leave her eyes as her world was once again flooded with the familiar cries.
"Oh no, mijo." Mamá turned her attention back to the baby.
"Ah, hm." Bruno tapped his mother awkwardly on the shoulder. He held his hands out when she looked back at him. "Let me try." He offered timidly. He didn't know much about Etelvina's baby, but he'd always done pretty well with his sobrinos. Bruno figured he could at least give it a try.
Etelvina was hunched over her knees. Holding her face in her hands.
"Don't worry, I'll find someone else to help out." Mamá insisted. Shuffling the baby off onto Bruno. "You need your rest."
Bruno propped the little boy up in his arms and made silly faces at him. Bouncing slightly and swaying side to side. The baby didn't seem all that impressed till Beatrice poked her head out of Bruno's breast pocket. The boy's fussing died down once he spied her. He eyed the strange new creature curiously.
"No pasa nada." Etelvina insisted. Attempting to wave off Mamá's concern with a forced smile. "Estaremos bien. I raised two boys already. I can manage this."
"Uhm, I can help." Bruno offered. He froze up almost as soon as the words left his mouth. Mamá's stunned silence made it sink in for him the absurdity of what he was saying. Bruno hadn't talked to Etelvina in years. Not since he'd called off their engagement. Now all of a sudden he was offering to babysit her newborn.
Bruno surprised himself with the offer. He thought back to his conversation with Diego. No, he was making the right choice. Bruno had cut off so many relationships over the course of his life. Diego never actually bore him any ill will. How many other friendships had Bruno abandoned that could have been salvaged? When he looked back at Etelvina, at how exhausted and broken she looked, his heart ached. He hated seeing her struggle like this. She was always so sweet to him. So understanding and creative and fun. Seeing her normally cheery light snuffed out was a tragedy. She needed a friend right now, and Bruno needed to start being a better friend to people.
"I can come over and watch to boys for you tomorrow while you catch up on your sleep." Bruno offered again. Breaking the awkward silence. He looked back down at the baby boy in his arms. Rocking him gently while the baby marveled at Beatrice. The young doe scurried about Bruno's shoulders. Always just out of reach. Bruno freed up a hand to scratch her head. Reassuring his furry companion that she was safe and thanking her for her patience while she entertained the fussy child.
"You'd do that for me?" Etelvina replied in disbelief.
Bruno offered an awkward chuckle. "It's not like I've got anything more important going on."
"Except story hour at the library." Camilo reminded him.
Bruno shrugged. "Wilfredo's a professor. He can handle story hour on his own." He dismissed. He stopped himself as the words left his mouth and winced slightly. "Though... I should probably go let him know you and I are going to be busy tomorrow."
"Are you sure about this?" Mamá asked him hesitantly.
Bruno looked over at his mother's worried eyes. She was doubting him, like she often did. "Why wouldn't I be?" Bruno insisted. Indignation spurring on a bit of confidence he didn't know he had. "I don't mind as long as Etelvina doesn't." He looked back at his ex-fiance sheepishly. "You uh, you don't mind do you?"
Etelvina shook her head. "Oh no, no, I don't mind at all." She replied. Looking faintly astonished. She slapped her cheeks like she was trying to stay awake and looked back up at Bruno. A heavy sincerity in her eyes. "Gracias Bruno. I really appreciate it."
Bruno smiled back at her. The warmth in her voice filled his chest. It was nice feeling welcome in people's lives. He did genuinely miss Etelvina. Even if Bruno never truly loved her, he still missed their conversations. He missed making art together and laughing. Etelvine was a lovely woman and Bruno still wanted to see her happy.
"Bueno, it's nice to see you volunteering." Mamá praised Bruno softly. Bruno could tell from the way she adjusted her shawl that she was still a bit surprised and unsure. The smile Mamá gave Bruno however seemed sincere.
Mamá held out her arms to take the baby back. "You should go tell Wilfredo you're going to be occupied tomorrow."
"Oh, sí, claro." Bruno replied. He gently turned the baby back over.
The little boy looked frustrated. Pawing back at Bruno. Trying to reach out and grab Beatrice. Growing red-faced and fussy again.
"Perdóname mijo. I'll be right back." Bruno apologized before scurrying off.
He could hear the little one break into tears again when he left. The sad cries tugged at Bruno. He had to remind himself to focus on the task at hand. It wasn't his baby. He couldn't be there for them all the time. He needed to let his partner know he wouldn't be making it to work tomorrow.
Work… That's what it was right? Bruno was a tutor now. A tutor and an entertainer. He was providing something for the community. Better than hiding away in his tower all day or worse. Bruno stroked Beatrice tenderly as she made her way into his hands for comfort.
"lo hiciste bien mija." Bruno praised softly.
He felt almost a little proud of himself. He wasn't rotting away in the walls anymore. He was living in the town. Being a part of the community. He was offering something of himself that was loved and appreciated. He wasn't using his gift anymore. At least not for other people. He found his place outside of that. He already spent four days out of the week educating and entertaining. He could do more. He was doing more now. Maybe if this went well he could babysit more often. Take some of Camilo's workload off of him. Maybe he could volunteer at the school.
He felt warm and fuzzy thinking about the ways he could be a part of the town. He knew Mamá was happy to see him thriving. She'd be proud to see him giving back to the community. Bruno felt more useful now than he ever felt like he could just handing out visions.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
Jacqueline and Wilfredo's voices hit Bruno's ear before he spotted them. He didn't mean to eavesdrop. However, something in their tone made him stop and listen. The Fontana siblings were sitting on the front steps of the Guzman house. Laughing and enjoying the warm friendly atmosphere of the town plaza.
Jacqueline leaned against her brother. Recounting some childhood memory of Easter's past. "You remember that one year Tía Gloria caught Beatriz sneaking off with su novio on the hike?" She asked.
Wilfredo let out a low warm chuckle. "Sí I remember. It's hard to forget. She was in so much trouble, everyone kept staring."
Jacqueline laughed out loud. "Por dios, the look on her face." She wiped a tear from her eye. "Pobrecita." She maligned affectionately towards a woman who wasn't there.
Bruno hugged Beatrice in his hands. Apparently, Wilfredo had a cousin of the same name. What a small world.
"She was lucky Nonna was there to handle the situation." Wilfredo mused. "That boy didn't seem like a bad guy. Tía Gloria just didn't like that he was poor."
Jacqueline let out a little snort of a laugh. "Nonna didn't care. She'd let Triza date a caiman if she wanted."
"Do you know what ever happened with them?" Wilfredo asked. Looking down at his sister. "I only got to talk to him for a bit. I never saw him again on any of my other visits home."
Jacqueline let out a blase little hmf . "They broke up a couple months later while you were at school." She told him. Her dementor seemed to grow a bit melancholy. Like all the air had been sucked out of her. Her expression, however, remained mild. Unreadable. "You missed out on a lot of stuff in boarding school. I used to go out on the weekends with nuestras primas and get into trouble around town. We had all kinds of gossip going on."
Jacqueline sat up and leaned back on her hands. She looked thoughtful. Suddenly a surprisingly heavy question left her lips. "Did you ever get homesick?" She asked her brother.
Bruno knew that Wilfredo had been to boarding school but never really gave the implications of that much consideration. It was where Wilfredo met his first love. If for that reason alone Bruno had at best assumed it had been a positive experience. If he really gave Wilfredo's schooling any thought at all.
Considering it now, it did sound lonely. Spending so much time away from his family. Only coming home for holidays and birthdays.
Wilfredo's eyes suddenly landed on Bruno. Bruno felt his heart jump into his throat. He felt like a voyeur. Like he'd walked in on something he wasn't meant to see.
"Oh, ah, W-Wilfredo, hola!" Bruno greeted awkwardly.
Wilfredo adjusted his glasses. He looked curiously at Bruno but smiled nonetheless. "Hola Bruno. Qué onda?"
Wil's smile was so warm and friendly. Bruno felt guilty for spying. He stared down at the rat in his hands. Unable to look Wilfredo in the eye. Beatrice looked up at him with big sparkling eyes. So loving and supportive.
"I uhm, I k-kinda got roped into something tomorrow." Bruno admitted. "A-and Camilo's gonna be busy too."
Wil tilted his head like a puppy. "Oh, vale, entonces no hay problema." He replied sweetly. Seemingly confused by Bruno's jittering nerves.
Bruno looked back at him and nearly fainted. Wil's eyes were so wide and shimmery as he looked up at him. Such an innocent expression. Completely mundane and yet it made Bruno feel so overwhelmed. Like he'd been blessed with something beautiful.
"Right…" Bruno replied. Struggling to suck air into his lungs. "Camilo has a date with Ayla and I'll be babysitting for a neighbor-"
"Wait." Wil held up a hand and a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Camilo's dating Ayla?" He replied in astonishment.
"You're joking." Jacqueline spat in disbelief. She wasn't there for every story hour, but she popped in often enough to know who Ayla was. She knew full well that Camilo liked to pick on her. Jacqueline made sure to make him regret it every time she caught Camilo doing it.
Bruno rubbed at the back of his neck. "Vaya, not dating exactly. Ghost hunting or something?" He tried to explain. "You'll have to ask him about it."
"Oh, you know I will." Jacquline replied flabbergasted.
Bruno looked shly back at Wilfredo. "Are you gonna be alright doing story hour on your own."
Wilfredo blinked at Bruno. He looked almost offended. He laughed and gave Bruno a toothy grin to break the awkward tension. "I'm a teacher Bruno. This is my job. Of course, I'll be fine." He insisted.
"Oooh! I could be your assistant." Jacqueline volunteered. Lighting up as the prospect of making a nuisance of herself distracted her from her thoughts about Camilo.
Wil groaned and hung his head. "Uhg, I guess, but only as long as you promise not to cause trouble." He pleaded.
Jacqueline shoved her brother back and forth. "I won't. You can trust me." She insisted excitedly. She'd been worked to the bone by the council since the affair and had only recently been given a bit of time off. Clearly, she was eager to use the last day of her holiday break doing anything that would break up the monotony.
Wil rolled his eyes. "Oh sí. Cause you've proven yourself to be so trustworthy in the past."
"That was the past. It doesn't count." Jacqueline protested.
"You literally told a kid aliens wrote the bible just this morning." Wil snarked back.
"Cause it's true, duh. What, do you really think a bunch of dumb humans know the word of god?" Jacqueline defended herself facetiously.
Bruno laughed as he watched the two tease and bicker. The anxiety he felt for being caught listening in melted away. The siblings gladly roped him into their games. Clearly unbothered. It was nice feeling like a part of their tiny family.
︵‿୨ - March 26 1951 - ୧‿︵
"Bruno, lo siento." Etelvina greeted apologetically. She looked so tired. Rocking her baby in her arm. Barefoot and still in her chemise. "I didn't get any sleep last night. I had to stay up so Miguel to get enough rest for work." She explained. Raking her curly hair back from her face.
"Who's that!" A little boy's voice called out from somewhere in the house.
"The babysitter's here." Etelvina called back. Her two older boys came to the door. The middle child rushed up with wide curious eyes and practically jumped at Bruno.
"Hola! Me llamo Valentín. What's your name?" The little boy greeted enthusiastically.
"Uh, Bruno." Bruno replied.
"Come over and meet Bruno Zac" Valentín chirped at his older brother.
The oldest child stood back a little bit. Placing himself between his mother and the door. An almost defensive posture. Zacarías crossed his arms. "It's Bruno Madrigal. I already know who he is. You would know too if you paid attention to anything." He snarked.
"Ole!" Valentín fussed.
Zacarías looked up at Bruno skeptically. "My name's Zacarías. Why are you here? Isn't Camilo the one who usually babysits?"
"Oh uh." Bruno was taken aback by Zacarías' standoffish attitude. The boy seemed surprisingly confrontational. Bruno tugged on his ruana as he tried to find his words. "Uh, t-tu mamá and I are old amigos. Isn't that right Etelvina?" Bruno looked up to Zacarías' mother for backup only to realize she's dozed off on her feet. Holding her still-crying baby.
"Etelvina?" Bruno coaxed.
Etelvina snorted and jolted awake. "Oh, s-sí." She replied bleary-eyed. She looked down at Zacarías and ruffled his hair with her hand. "This is our oldest Zacarías. He's twelve." She introduced. She pointed to Valentín. "That's Valentín he's eight."
"He knows Mamá." Valentín corrected. "We already told him our names."
Zacarías watched his mother closely. Clearly concerned.
"Oh." Etelvina replied sheepishly. She blushed and looked away. Bouncing her little baby on her shoulder. "Disculpa." She apologized shyly. She took a deep breath and looked back at Bruno. Adjusting the baby in her arms to show his tiny flushed face. The little boy looked so angry. "This is Sebastián." She introduced. She let out an exhausted sigh and went back inside with her new baby. Collapsing onto the sofa and bouncing him on her knee in a weak attempt to get the crying to stop.
Bruno hesitated at the door for a moment before letting himself in. He crept over to the sofa and took a seat next to Etelvina. "Puedo?" He asked gently. Holding his hands out to take Sebastián.
Etelvina looked guilty as she passed her baby over. "Don't take it personally if he gives you trouble. He's just really fussy." She warned.
Bruno took the little boy and tried to soothe him. "Ay, ay, ay, mijo, so much drama. I know, being a baby is so hard isn't it?" He cooed. Cradling the baby's body in one arm and holding Sebastián's head with his other hand.
Sebastián's angry cries settled slightly into confused little whimpers as he looked up at Bruno. The baby furrowed his brow. Analyzing Bruno's face. Trying to identify him. Once Sebastián recognized Bruno from the day before he went right back to angry wailing. Flailing his tiny fists around.
"Oh, am I not fun enough?" Bruno teased. "If you keep crying like that I'll have to give you a reason to cry." He warned playfully. Bruno took the baby's tiny hands and covered his face with them. "You better hide."
Sebastián hickcupped. Confused by the strange gesture. He tried to wiggle his hands away from his own face. When he did Bruno pulled the baby's hands away and lunged at him. His eyes flashing a brilliant glowing green he could see reflected in Sebastián's own dilated pupils.
"Rawr!" Bruno growled gently.
Sebastián stared up at him awestruck. Bruno could feel the flash in his own eyes. It was a warm feeling. Not painful, just warm. It felt almost like crying. Not the pain and ache of a long cry, but the gentle heat of the first tears that pooled in one's eyes. He'd cut off that feeling once he felt the ache in the back of his skull. Before a vision could strike. It felt like holding the tears in. Like choking back a sob.
Nonetheless, Bruno smiled as he watched Sebastián reach up for his face. Patting Bruno's cheeks with his fat little palms. Sebastián looked utterly fascinated. His big brown eyes shimmering with curiosity. He stuck out his little tongue and tugged at Bruno's beard.
"Ow, not so rough." Bruno chuckled. Trying to untangle the pudgy little fingers from his scruffy beard.
"Wow! That was so cool! How did you do that?" Valentín rushed over and bounced up at down. Excitedly patting the arm of the sofa next to Bruno.
Etelvina laughed at her son's excitable response. "It's his gift mijo." She gestured over to Bruno pridefully. As if bragging about being friends with a celebrity. "Bruno here can see the future." She announced with a bit of dramatic flare. Waving her fingers about and delivering the line with an air of mystique.
"Wow…" Valentín breathed. His little mind thoroughly blown. He turned back to Bruno eagerly and started bombarding him with questions at a breakneck pace. "What are your visions like? Do they hurt? How far into the future can you see? How much can you see? Have you ever had visions about weird future stuff? Have you ever had a vision about the end of the world? Can you show me?"
The excitable way Valentín bombarded Bruno with questions reminded him a bit of that day by the river. Wilfredo usually tried to avoid asking Bruno questions about his gift. He knew it was a sensitive topic and tried to be respectful. The one time Bruno invited such questions Wilfredo lit up and a whole interrogation tumbled out of his mouth. Excited and bright-eyed just like Valentín. The only difference was Wilfredo noticed he was gushing at cut himself off. Bruno loved seeing Wilfredo get excited. He loved seeing him light up when talking about something he was passionate about or engaging his curiosity. Wilfredo on the other hand always seemed somewhat ashamed of such behavior. He would cut himself off before it ever lasted too long. Somewhere along the line, he must have learned that such excitement was improper.
Watching Valentín carry on without a hint of insecurity was honestly endearing. Bruno wished he could be so bold. So unashamedly himself. He wished Wilfredo could too. Growing up was a cruel affair.
Zacarías groaned and rolled his eyes. "Uhg, don't be annoying Valentín. You should already know what all the Madrigals do."
Bruno was gently bouncing Sebastián on his knees while fielding Valentín's questions. Zacarías words caused him pause. They hurt to hear. Bruno had been called weird or annoying more times than he could count growing up. Not that his mother or sisters ever meant any harm in it, but… "Uh, I don't think-"
Valentín glared back at his brother. "There's a lot of Madrigals, how am I supposed to keep track of them all?"
"You can keep track of every character in dumb kids book but you can't keep track of the people in town with literal magic powers?" Zacarías snapped back.
Bruno didn't care for Zacarías attitude. As someone who didn't leave the house much and loved to read, Bruno could attest to how much easier it was to remember fictional characters over random neighbors. At least the characters in books were interesting and never mean to him. It was only natural Valentín would remember them better. "You shouldn't-" Bruno was about to interrupt but Etelvina beat him to it.
"That's enough." Etelvina snapped. She got up and rubbed her temples. "You two be good and no fighting for Bruno. Understood?" She asked the boys sternly.
Both boys stared at the ground and shuffled about irritably. "Sí mamá." They replied in unison.
Sebastián started to squirm and fuss again. Etelvina took a deep breath and let out an exhausted sigh.
Bruno picked Sebastián up and rested him against his shoulder. Patting the little one's back. "You go get some sleep." He reassured Etelvina. "Don't worry about the boys. I can handle them."
Etelvina looked back at him a bit skeptical. "If you're sure. Don't be afraid to come get me if you need help." She insisted.
"Fuera, fuera." Bruno shooed. "Sleep." He insisted.
Etelvina nodded and leaned down to kiss each of her boys on the head before retreating to her room. Sebastián was wiggling and started to cry again. Bruno picked him up and helped the baby stand. Bruno rested Sebastián's feet on his knees Holding Sebastián under his arms and supporting the little bobblehead with his fingers.
"Nada de eso ahora." Bruno scolded playfully. The little boy looked back at him curiously again. Stuffing his tiny fist into his mouth and chewing on it. Bruno smiled back at Zacarías and Valentín. "We're playing Sardina." He held up baby Sebastián in front of him facing his brothers. "Sebastián and I are a team. Who wants to hide first?"
"Oh! Oh! Me I wanna go first!" Valentín chirped. Holding up his hand and waving it around excitedly.
Bruno couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. "Bueno, es mejor que te vayas." He urged. Shooing Valentín off with a tilt of his head.
"Okay, but you guys gotta count, uhm…" Valentín paused a moment as he tried to consider how long he would need. "Count to ten, no, fifteen, no, thirty-"
"Just go." Zacarías groaned.
Valentín bolted off towards the backdoor. Heading out towards the courtyard their family shared with a couple surrounding houses.
Zacarías raised an eyebrow at Bruno. "How are you supposed to be any good at hiding with a baby? Especially one that cries as much as that one."
Bruno was keeping Sebastián entertained with little distractions. Swinging the boy's little feet like he was walking on his lap. Sebastián seemed thoroughly confused by this gesture but at least when he was confused he wasn't crying. "Oh, I think we'll do just fine." Bruno insisted. "Just give us a chance and start counting." He grinned mischievously back at Zacarías. "Unless you're afraid you'll lose to a baby." He teased.
Zacarías looked offended by the suggestion and quickly turned to face the wall and started counting.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
The game went over better than expected. Despite Zacarías initial skepticism it only took a round or two for him to really get into the game. He proved to be a highly competitive young man and very adept at hiding. However, while his own hiding spots were usually very good for hiding solo, they tended to be very difficult for other people to hide along with him. As a result his rounds usually ended very quickly after the first person found him.
Valentín on the other hand clearly picked his hiding spots with his future hiding partners in mind. Unfortunately, he would often overthink finding the perfect hiding spot and sometimes ran out of time. He'd bolt into a nearby bush or under a piece of furniture and be caught almost immediately. His older brother would bully him for it and he'd whine for a do-over cause he wasn't ready that time. Bruno would usually just let him take his turn again whenever this happened.
Sebastián seemed thoroughly entertained by being carried around to search the house or the courtyard. Bruno would hold him up to look at high places he normally wouldn't get to see or down into cabinets and cubbies. Sebastián liked to reach his pudgy little hands out to touch and explore. Sometimes he'd try to stick things in his mouth and get upset when Bruno stopped him but Bruno could usually get him distracted with something else.
Hiding with the baby was a bit more of a struggle. He would get frustrated and fussy the longer they had to sit still and be quiet. The appeal of the game wearing thin for him whenever they had to stay crammed in a small space for too long. After a couple of rounds where Sebastián gave them away with his cries, they made it a rule that if the seekers couldn't find Bruno and Sebastián before the baby started to cry then the seekers lost. This added a ticking timer to the game that only seemed to make Zacarías that much more motivated.
After a while lunch rolled around and Bruno brought the boys in to cook with him. He tried and failed a few times to put Sebastián down to free up his hands. Unfortunately, any time he tried the baby screamed bloody murder. Suffice to say it made cooking difficult. Instead, Bruno got Valentín and Zacarías to make lunch by following his instructions step by step. It was messy and clumsy and Bruno kept having to make small corrections one-handed while bouncing Sebastián in his other arm. How his mother ever managed to feed herself when they were kids was beyond Bruno.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
"Careful Zaca you don't want to burn yourself." Bruno warned with an anxious grimace as he watched the older boy lay out the uneven lumpy balls of dough and cheese on the stove.
"I've got it." Zacarías insisted as he worked.
Bruno knocked on the countertop with his free hand before grabbing salt from his pocket and chucking it over his shoulder. "Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood." He chimed.
Valentín screwed his face up at Bruno curiously. "Why do you do that?" He asked.
The boys had seen Bruno perform his little ritual a couple of times a day. Whenever one of them picked an unsafe place to hide or they got into another one of their spats or Sebastián refused to stop screaming. He'd left his rats at home so as not to risk the kids hurting them. Without his companions, he was more anxious than he already normally was.
"Oh uh, this?" Bruno asked before repeating his ritual. "Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood." He chuckled awkwardly. "It's uhm, it's for good luck." He explained.
Sebastián stopped his fussing for a moment and looked over at Bruno. He started banging his little fist on the side of Bruno's head.
"Ole, es suficiente." Bruno corrected. He pulled Sebastián off his shoulder and cradled him in his arms.
Sebastián turned red-faced and started screaming angrily.
"Ay, sana, sana, colita de rana." Bruno soothed. Patting the baby's chubby little belly. He looked over at the arepas on the stove. Waiting to see when it was time to flip them.
"I don't need help, I can do it." Zacarías protested when he caught Bruno hovering over his shoulder.
"Bueno, I'll just be over here if you need me." Bruno replied in quick surrender. He looked around the kitchen when his eyes landed on one of Etelvina's paintings. It was definitely her work. Bruno recognized stylistic flourishes and bright colors. It was a painting of Miguel with some other woman. Hands clasped, dressed in white. "Who is that?" Bruno asked.
Valentín looked up at the painting. "Oh, that's mamá Eva." He answered simply as though it were obvious.
"Mamá Eva?" Bruno parrotted back curiously.
"Mi madre." Zacarías explained flatly while he watched the arepas like a hawk.
Bruno looked over at the older boy as the realization dawned on him. "Oh, Etelvina isn't tu madre?"
"No, she's still mi madre." Zacarías protested. He kept his eyes locked on the pan. Carefully flipping arepas with a wooden spatula. "Mamá Eva gave birth to me, but she died when I was little."
"Then Mamá Etelvina married Papá and then she had me." Valentín trilled excitedly. The widest grin spread across his face like he was just so proud to be Etelvina's son.
Bruno rocked the still-crying baby Sebastián and looked sadly over at Zacarías. The older boy still wouldn't look away from the stove.
"Do you miss her? Tu primera mamá?" He asked gently.
Zacarías shrugged. He started moving the arepas over to a plate. "Not really. I don't actually remember her that much. Kind of hard to miss someone you never really knew." He admitted.
Bruno felt a familiar melancholy wash over him. A soft but unknowable kind of sadness. He knew exactly how Zacarías felt. He often wondered what kind of a man his father was. What it would have been like to grow up with him in his life. He wondered if things would have been different. Would his father have loved him like he was? Would he be disappointed in him? Would Bruno be a different person? More than anything however Bruno just felt empty thinking of his father. He felt nothing. He always felt like he should miss him. Like there was this gaping hole in his family, this great pain. He could see his mother feeling it, but he couldn't. No matter how hard he tried he could feel grief for a man he never knew. Just a foggy uncertainty when he looked back at the hole his father left behind.
"Mamá painted that picture." Valentín announced.
Bruno smiled back at him and then at the painting. "I can tell. It certainly looks like her art."
"Mh,hm." Valentín nodded. "And she painted one of her and Papá's wedding too."
"I remember the wedding." Zacarías mused as he closed the vent on the stove to suffocate the fire. "Papá made me the ring bearer."
Valentín puffed up his cheeks embarrassed. "I don't remember." He confessed. "Was it fun?"
Zacarías groaned and rolled his eyes at his brother for the thousandth time today. "You don't remember 'cause you weren't born yet stupid." He snarked.
"Ole! I'm not stupid!" Valentín protested and stomped his foot.
Sebastián screamed and flailed angrily in Bruno's arms. Bruno knocked on the counters again and threw salt. "Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood." He blurted out before working up the courage to scold the children who weren't his. "Basta ya, no fighting. You two eat your lunch and be good while I go check on tu mamá."
Zacarías hurriedly got out a fresh plate and placed a couple of arepas on it. He shoved the plate into Bruno as he tried to leave the kitchen. "Wait. These two are the best ones. Give those to Mamá for me." He insisted.
Bruno looked down at the plate. A warm smile spread across his face as he took it. Etelvina may not have birthed Zacarías but he was still in every way her son. The determined love in his eyes was palpable. "Sí, I'm sure she'll love them." Bruno promised.
He slipped out of the kitchen and off to the bedroom. Sebastián still wailing in his ear the whole way. He awkwardly tried to shuffle the plate about to free up a spare finger to offer to the baby. Letting Sebastián suckle on his pinky for a moment while he tried to wake Etelvina gently. The last thing she needed right now was to be woken up by more screaming.
Once Sebastián had quieted down Bruno tapped on the bedroom door with his foot. "Perdona." Bruno called through the door. "I think el bebito is getting hungry." He warned.
A tired groan came creaking through the door. "Bring him here." Etelvina hummed.
Bruno nudged the door open with his shoulder. He was greeted with Etelvina pulling herself up in bed. Her tight curls were a wild mess that fell around her shoulders. Her thin linen chemise slipping slightly off one shoulder. It wasn't technically the first time he'd seen her in such a state of undress, but the memory of the last time still made him want to crawl in a hole. The recollection of sinking, empty, feeling of this woman trying to seduce him. The way she crawled into his bed, tried to kiss him… when he tried to kiss her back… nothing… He didn't know what love was then, but he knew that wasn't it. He knew he was supposed to feel something. That emptiness ached. He wondered for years if he would never feel that spark. That passion he read about in books. The bliss he saw on his sister's faces when they held their husbands. That longing he saw in his mother's eyes when she thought of a love long lost. Etelvina was beautiful… but she couldn't make him feel it. He knew she deserved better than an empty heart.
Sebastián grew irritable again as he realized he wasn't getting any milk from Bruno's finger. He spat his hand out and started screaming again. "Ay, lo siento mijo." Bruno cooed apologeticly.
Etelvina held her arms out towards her baby. "Aw mi cariño, ven a mami." She soothed.
Bruno sat down on the bed beside her and awkwardly shifted the baby into her arms while he held the plate out in his other hand. Without a word of warning, Etelvina slipped her chemise down off her shoulder to expose her breast. Sebastián oversized noddle bobbled about clumsily looking for a nipple before latching on and settling down to eat. His fat cheeks puffed up against Etelvina's breast. Bruno turned pale as a sheet and quickly looked away.
Etelvina only laughed. "Relájate, it's not like you have seen them before." She teased.
She was referring to her breasts. Dear god she was talking about her boobs!
Bruno took a deep breath to steady himself before compulsively knocking on the nightstand. "Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood." He was about to through salt but stopped himself realizing it would land on Etelvina's bed and in her face. Still, he kept compulsively grabbing at his shirt. Should he just move and find a different place to do it? He could settle for just the knock without the salt. He didn't always do both. Something just the knock was enough. His hand was itching though from having already committed to the action and he couldn't help wondering what would happen if he didn't follow through.
"How's your day been? Have the boys been giving you any trouble?" Etelvina asked calmly.
"Oh no." Bruno hand dissmissed. "The boys are great. We played sardina for hours and I taught them how to make arepas- Oh right!" Bruno turned around to offer Etelvina the plate that was still resting in his other hand. "Zacarías wanted you to have the best ones." He told her.
Etelvina balanced her nursing baby in one arm and took the plate with her other hand. "Aw." She looked down at the plate with a warm loving smile. "These look delicious. They did so good."
The arepas were misshapen and lumpy and unevenly cooked. Despite all that Etelvina was utterly enamored with them. She loved her boys. For as stressed and exhausted as she was she still adored them. She hummed as she took a bite like it was the best thing she'd ever eaten. Neither Zacarías or Valentín were around to see her eat them. She had no reason to put on a show for Bruno. The simple fact her sons made this for her was enough.
"They're really good kids." Bruno told her softly. "A bit intense, but good kids. I think I did alright today but I don't know if I could manage taking care of them every day."
Etelvina wiped some crumbs off her mouth with the back of her wrists. "Oh no, Bruno you did great." She reassured him. "I think you'd be a really great papá." She told him earnestly.
Bruno paused and wrung his ruana in his hands. For some reason that complement warmed him and he couldn't quite explain why. He felt a tugging sensation at the back of his mind. Another vision begging to be seen. Bruno merely choked it down. He didn't want to listen to the future right now. He didn't want to risk sullying this moment. "I guess we'll never know." He chuckled awkwardly. "Like that would ever happen."
"It's a shame." Etelvina agreed. She took another bite of her arepa and shifted positions on the bed. Settling Sebastián into a more comfortable position across her chest. The baby wriggled irritably but didn't lose his lach. Undeterred in his boob nomming. Etelvina rubbed his back with one hand while she ate her lunch with the other.
Bruno felt a faint sadness watching her. A kind of longing he thought he'd let go of years ago. He looked away and kept tugging at his ruana. Working up the courage to try and clear the air like he'd done with Diego. "I uhm…" He took a moment to find the words. "Perdóname, for ending things like I did." He apologized softly.
Etelvina looked back at him and tilted her head. "Why are you apologizing?" She asked.
Bruno turned red and choked up for a moment. His tongue felt fat and clumsy in his mouth. "Well, I mean, uhm, y-yyou, you tried to- you wanted to… a-and I just thought like… well I guess I thought, I worried that I might have… uhm…" He glanced back at Etelvina. Her eyes searching his face. "I thought I hurt you." He told her honestly.
Etelvina's face softened. She set her arepa back down on the plate. Her eyes downcast as she pieced her thoughts together. "At the time, sí." She admitted. She wrapped both arms around her little baby boy. "I wasn't angry with you though. Just sad."
She looked back up at Bruno. "You can't force yourself to fall in love Bruno. I never held that against you." Etelvina shrugged with a soft smile. "The heart wants what it wants. For a little while, I thought that was you." She looked back down at Sebastián with that intense loving gaze. Despite his poor temper. Despite all the trouble he caused. Etelvina loved him with all her heart and soul. "I'm glad you ended things when you did. If you hadn't I wouldn't be where I am now. I like my life now, and I love my husband."
Her face seemed to light up as she gushed about Miguel. Her words were so light and wistful. "He's wonderful. He's so passionate about his work. I could listen to him go on for hours about architecture. It might be boring to some people but there's nothing better than seeing someone light about about something they love."
Bruno chuckled. "I can imagine." He loved watching Wilfredo gush about the most niche subjects. All sorts of strange little factoids he'd picked up about a wide range of topics. He loved seeing him light up. Seeing him passionate and joyful.
"He's been a huge help with my art too. He models for me when I'm struggling with a pose and he's surprisingly good at mixing colors." Etelvina gushed. "You know he helped me with that Familia Madrigal mural in town."
"I thought that was you." Bruno laughed. "Why did you have to make me look so sad?" He teased.
Etelvina paused a moment and looked a bit shy. Her smile cracked slightly. She coiled one of her curls around her finger as she looked away. "I, I don't know. You were gone. No one had heard from you in years… I just, had a feeling that wherever you were…" Her voice trailed off a bit. Her hand falling from the hair to her lap. "I know we're all supposed to put on happy smiles and act like everything is ok, but… trying to paint a smile over someone I knew in my gut was hurting just felt wrong." She admitted.
"O-Oh…" Bruno replied awkwardly. He looked away and tugged at his ruana again. "You were thinking about me?"
"I was worried." Etelvina acknowledged. "I'm not in love with you, but I still care about you. I never stopped."
"Perdóname." Brunoa apologized again. "It was cowardly of me to leave like I did." He lamented. Bitter regret bubbling up in his throat.
"Está bien, I'm sure you had a good reason." Etelvina replied gently. Bruno could feel her eyes on his back. He couldn't bring himself to turn to face her again. "I know the town wasn't always kind to you. It couldn't have been easy to live like that. I might have wanted to run away too if I was in your position."
Those words cut deep. Some mix of comforting and sad. He felt seen, cared about, and pitied, all at once. "I had a vision about Mirabel." He told her. "I didn't know how Mamá would handle it and I didn't want her taking out the bad news on mi sobrina. I wanted Mirabel to have a normal life I worried…" Bruno was hesitant. When he and Etelvina had been courting he'd learned to open up to her. He may not have fallen for her, but he loved her like a sister. She felt like someone safe. Someone he could trust. "I worried I was making things worse by being in my family's lives. I thought they'd be better off without me. I hid… but I never really left. Maybe I should have… but I couldn't do it."
Etelvina was quiet. The weight of what Bruno said hung thick in the air.
"Are you in a better place now?" Etelvina asked him.
"S-sí, I think so." Bruno replied a bit timid.
"Are you happy?" Etelvina asked him.
Bruno was slower to reply to the second question. Once he settled on his answer he sounded more sure of himself. "Sí." He replied.
Bruno looked back at Etelvina who smiled warmly at him. "I'm happy for you."
Bruno felt a bit of courage bubble up in his chest. Etelvina was a good friend. She was someone he could trust. "C-can I tell you a secret?"
"I don't see why not." Etelvina replied playfully.
Bruno felt his face flush. He couldn't control the childish grin that tugged at his lips. Writing his ruana in his hands. "I think, I think maybe I might have, I might uhm, I think I'm in love." He told her.
Etelvina's eyes went wide. "You're serious? Really? Bruno that's fantastic." She replied excitedly.
"I mean, they probably aren't going to stay very long." Bruno bagan to ramble. "I probably won't see them again once they leave. I mean, I know it's not forever, and it's not like anyone would ever approve, but they make me so happy, and I love being around them, and I want to make the most of every day we have together, you know?" He looked back at Etelvina for some understanding.
Etelvina looked a bit stunned. "No…" She replied in disbelief. "Don't tell me those rumors are true. Are you and that woman Jacqueline…" She tilted her head a bit to imply the words she couldn't bring herself to say.
Bruno felt a pit in his stomach. Of course, she thought it was Jacqueline. Everybody did. That said, her reaction wouldn't have been any better if she knew it was Wilfredo. Possibly even worse if she knew the truth. Bruno tugged aggressively at his ruana and looked away in shame. "I know how it looks but she really isn't so bad once you get to know her."
Etelvina looked a bit skeptical. More worried than judgmental. "Maybe, but after the affair? Are you sure you can trust a woman like that?"
Bruno sighed. "I know. I know what she's like. I know it sounds silly and naive, and it would never work but… I didn't ever think it would happen to me, y'know, I thought, I thought…" He choked on his words. "I thought I was broken." He confessed.
"Oh Bruno." Etelvina softened. "You were never broken."
Bruno looked back at Etelvina. A heavy weight draped over him like a blanket. A weight he was all too familair with. He wanted to tell her the truth. To go on about how much he adored Wilfredo the way Etelvina talked about Miguel, but he couldn't. He liked Jacqueline, but that wasn't love. Not the kind of love he felt for Wilfredo. Not even close. It was nowhere near the intense longing and desire. He felt for Jacqueline what he had felt for Etelvina. She was someone he could talk to, someone he could trust, despite all her many flaws.
"I know it's not good for me but I love her." Bruno stated weakly.
Etelvina sighed and shook her head. "You don't have to justify your feelings to me Bruno. I'm just glad you're happy."
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
Etelvina was quick to shift the conversation to something lighter. She asked about the Saturday tablas and Bruno was quick to go on about his latest script. He talked about performing with Camilo, and story hour at the library. Etelvina offered to help him with sets for his plays. She admitted that Valentín loved books but struggled to read.
Miguel would read to the boys every night at bedtime. Valentín would get utterly absorbed in his favorite stories. Miguel had read the same book to him over and over. Despite his enthusiasm, both parents had been struggling to teach Valentín to read. He struggled to remember what they taught him. He'd get easily distracted or bored during lessons. Apparently, Valentín used to attend classes but he struggled a lot in school. He was always forgetting homework. Lagging behind other kids his age. He was hyperactive and loud. Eventually, the teacher asked Etelvina and Miguel to try and get his behavior under control or stop sending him to school. Ana didn't mean any harm in it but Valentín kept distracting the other kids in class and she couldn't get him to sit still.
Bruno felt for the family. It had to be stressful. Poor Valentín must have felt hurt being excluded like that. Zacarías, being as stubbornly independent as he was never liked school. He refused to keep going once his brother no longer had to go. Bruno suggested they have the boys attend story hour. He was confident Wilfredo could find a way to help Valentín with his reading. Etelvina was skeptical. Bruno bragged about what a good teacher Wilfredo was. Insisting that if anyone could help Valentín it would be him. Etelvina was eventually worn down and agreed to give it a try. That is as long as they promised not to push her son. Miguel's mother had apparently tried to teach Valentín and resorted to some questionable disciplinary tactics that neither parent were happy with. Other friends and relatives had tried to help and all had given up.
Etelvina was tired. She loved her boys. She knew Valentín was curious and bright. Only wished other people could see him the way she did. Etelvina didn't want to be let down again by more people claiming they could fix her son. Bruno promised her they would figure out a way to teach that worked for Valentín.
Before long Sebastián got his fill and fell asleep in Etelvina's arms. Bruno gently took the sleeping baby from her so Etelvina could go back to sleep. Bruno cradled the baby in his arms while Etelvina tucked herself back in.
"Gracias Bruno." Etlevina hummed as he turned to leave. "It's good to talk like this again." She told him. "I missed you."
Bruno looked back at her from the doorway. Watching her lay in her bed in her cream-colored chemise. Her back to him as she dozed off under the midday sun that streamed through the window. "I missed you too." He replied softly.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
Bruno was going to take Sebastián to the nursery and put him down in his bassinet but stopped dead in the hall. There was Jacqueline. Climbing through the window that led to the back courtyard. As if that was a perfectly normal thing to do.
"Oof, oye niño." She greeted awkwardly when Valentín approached her.
The boy tilted his head and furrowed his brow. Watching her tumble forward onto the sofa. "Who are you? Why are you in our house?"
Zacarías stepped out of the kitchen drying his hands. Apparently, he'd taken it upon himself to wash the dishes after lunch. He took one look at Jacqueline and his face soured. "Uhg, Bruno tu novia is here."
Bruno raised an eyebrow at the older boy. Had he overheard Bruno's conversation with Etelvina? No, he couldn't have. He was in the kitchen. He must have simply heard the rumors floating around town. Zacarías seemed startlingly good at keeping up with local gossip for a boy his age. Bruno was pretty well aware of the local drama at that age too, but he was a prophet the town often came to with their problems. No one was forcing Zacarías to pretend to care about the neighbor's problems.
"Hola Bruno." Jacqueline greeted drunkenly.
Bruno lifted a finger to his lips. "Be quiet. I don't want you waking the baby." He scolded.
"Oh sí… el bebe…" Jacqueline replied slowly. Staring at the sleeping infant in Bruno's arms with an expression that was hard to read.
"Why are you here?" Bruno asked irritably.
Jacqueline looked back up at his face. Blinking for a moment like he'd pulled her out of some odd trance. "Hm? Oh, I just wanted to come check up on you. See how the babysitting was going." She lied. She grinned and pressed a delicate finger to her cheek. "Aren't I a good amiga?"
Bruno rolled his eyes. "The best." He replied sarcastically. "Seriously though why-" The question hadn't even fully left his mouth before a knock at the door interrupted him.
Bruno stepped over curiously and cracked open the door. "Te puedo ayudar?" He greeted quietly.
"Where's Jacqueline!" Nacio barked. The young man stood there looking red as a tomato. His chest puffed up. He glared back at Bruno.
Bruno covered Sebastián's ears and harshly shushed him. "Keep your voice down." He scolded.
Nacio looked down at the sleeping baby and seemed to calm very slightly. Whispering harshly to Bruno. "I already asked su hermano gordo and he said he he didn't know where she went. You hang out with her all the time, you have to know where she is. I caught her leaving my house. My living room is full of dogs."
Bruno furrowed his brow at him curiously. "Dogs?"
"Sí." Naciao growled. "I hate dogs. She loaded my place up with Elías' cachorros. If I don't get them back home he's gonna have my head. You better make that puta clean up the fucking mess she made!" He hissed.
Jacqueline let out a loud cackle from the living room sofa. Bruno turned back and shushed her again. Jacqueline covered her red lips with her fingers. "What kind of dumb kid is afraid of dogs?" She teased.
"Ándate a la mierda!" Nacio barked once he spotted Jacqueline. Shoving Bruno aside to point a finger at her. "Elías is gonna beat my ass if you don't fix this!"
Sebastián startled awake from the shouting and started crying. His chubby little face turning red. He sniffled a couple of times before he burst into tears.
Bruno sighed and tried to soothe the baby. Gently rocking him. "Sana sana colita de rana si no sana hoy sanara mañana."
"Así se hace pendejo." Jacqueline snarked as she got up from the sofa. "You woke the baby. It took us all day to get him to sleep."
Jacqueline came over and took the crying baby from Bruno. Bruno stared bewildered back at her. She didn't even ask. Just hoisted Sebastián up over her shoulder and patted his back. "As much as I'd love to take credit, I've been busy helping Bruno babysit today. I haven't been anywhere near your place. You sure you didn't see someone else?"
Bruno looked between Jacqueline and Nacio. To the baby, then back to the boys. Valentín opened his mouth as if to correct Jacquline's lie but Zacarías covered his mouth. Gesturing for his little brother to stay out of the whole affair. Nacio furrowed his brow and stared at Jacqueline. Scanning her face to try and figure out if she was fucking with him or not. The way she spoke was so confident. She rocked Sebastián like she'd been doing it all day.
"Who else…"
"Didn't you say su prima had it out for you lately? She used to date Elías, right? Maybe ask her."
Nacio's certainty seemed to waver. He rubbed at the back of his neck and sucked in his lips. The boy turned to Bruno.
"I-I d-don't know anything about this." Bruno stammered out. Tugging anxiously on his ruana.
"Desde luego he doesn't. We've been here with the kids all day." Jacqueline insisted. "Isn't that right Bruno?"
"Oh, ah, s-sí." Bruno replied awkwardly.
Nacio still looked confused but turned and left without another word. Bruno watched Nacio leave. Muttering to himself. Bruno shut the door and looked back at Jacqueline irritably.
"I can't believe you would drag me into one of your lies." Bruno confronted her in mocking disbelief. It wasn't really surprising but this was the first time she'd ever expected Bruno to lie for her. Jacqueline usually left Bruno out of her pranks.
"Oye, you're the one who chose to lie for me. I didn't ask you to do that." Jacqueline replied. Now that Nacio was gone Jacqueline held Sebastián out at arm's length like he was a bucket of sour fish.
Bruno reached out and snatched back the fussy boy. Bruno'd be furious too if someone woke him up from a nap with their shouting. "You put me on the spot!" He barked back. "What was I supposed to say?"
"Why did you tell that man you've been here all day?" Valentín asked curiously.
Jacqueline smiled and knelt down to his level. "Don't worry about it. I was just playing a game with Nacio." She told him.
"Oh." Valentín replied. Taking the answer at face value.
"You shouldn't talk to her Valentín." Zacarías told his brother.
Jacqueline looked mildly offended. Valentín looked back at his brother curiously. "Why not? She's Bruno's friend, and Bruno's nice."
Zacarías shook his head. He crossed his arms and shot Jacqueline a challenging look. "She plays bad games. You don't want to be involved." He told his brother.
Jacqueline narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. "Chico listo." She replied to his accusation. Seemingly admiring Zacarías observant nature. He could be a bit of a bully sometimes but he was a good big brother at heart. Protective of Valentín. Not that Jacqueline was dangerous, but she was certainly a questionable influence.
"Is something wrong? I heard shouting." Etelvina mumbled as she came stumbling out of her room. She rubbed her eye with the heel of her palm. Stopping when she saw Jacqueline and staring at the other woman in confusion.
"Jacqueline was playing a bad game with some dogs." Valentín told his mother.
Etelvina only looked more confused by the explanation. "Uh…"
"Don't worry about it." Jacqueline handwaved. Straightening up and dusting the creases out of her skirt. "Un amigo of mine came by to ask about something." She suddenly grabbed hold of Bruno who was still trying to settle the baby. "I just came here to check on mi novio and see how his day was going." She cooed. "He's such a good papi isn't he?" Without any warning, she leaned down to kiss his cheek before rushing out. "Hasta luego!" She hurried out the front door. Bruno was left holding the screaming baby in stunned silence. His brain taking a few seconds to catch up with what was said.
Bruno spun around towards the door. "Novio?!"