Promises

Camilo Madrigal put the final touches on the stage he'd been working on for the past few weeks. At his father's suggestion, Camilo recruited the kids he'd been watching over that day to help him with the painting of the backgrounds. While they were not the most accurate of painters, Camilo was pleased nonetheless. It really was taking too long to do it by himself, and the kids had fun doing it.

"Hey Camilo!"

Camilo looked up from the tiny furniture he was adjusting to see David and Lorenzo coming down the small hill he'd taken over for his shows. Both were carrying sacks over their shoulders.

"Hey!" Camilo shouted as he waved. Behind them were two of Mirabel's friends; Beatrice and Bridget. The Ramirez twins were as identical as they come, with the only difference between them being one drank coffee and the other only tea. They too were laden down with bags.

"Where do you want these?" Lorenzo asked as he stepped up on the stage.

"In the back," Camilo answered, "There are some boxes lined up with the actors' names on them. Mira said she put labels on all the costumes."

"Gotcha," Lorenzo said and took the sack from David.

David was examining one of the painted trees, "Looks a little cock-eyed."

"I know, but we're in a time crunch now, and truthfully, they add a nice spooky vibe."

Bea and Bri stopped a short way away. The pair had their heads together and were giggling furiously.

David gave the pair a quizzical look, then nudged Camilo and said, "I'm gonna go help Renzo."

Camilo nodded as David disappeared behind the backdrop. He smiled at the girls that now approached him.

"Hello ladies," Camilo said, hopping off the stage, "What have you brought for me today?"

To his surprise, they smiled, but only Beatrice spoke as she said, "You promised." She handed him the bags before turning, grabbing her sister's hand, and walked quickly up the hill toward town.

Camilo stood there for a moment, trying to remember what it was he promised, until he realized one of the bags was moving. It hit him then, just what he'd said. He moved back over to the stage and set the bags down gently. He opened the nonmoving bag first, there were some wrapped baked goods and a note. He pulled the note out and read it, then cautiously opened the other bag and raised an eyebrow. Three kittens of varying colors were now awake, mewling at him and trying to climb out of the bag.

David and Renzo reappeared and David said, "Heh, she had cats in that bag?"

Renzo added, "Well, try not to let them out."

The pair laughed it up for a minute, and Camilo looked around and spied a box he thought would be big enough for the kittens. He was short on time but, he did promise to take them.

"What are you gonna do with them?" Renzo asked. "Doesn't your Tío Bruno keep rats?"

"Yeah, but these guys are tiny, definitely not a threat to them, probably more the other way around," David commented.

"Didn't think of that." Renzo said.

Camilo pulled off his ruana, folded it and put it in the box before upending the bag of kittens into it.

"They sound hungry," David said. "They look old enough, maybe try the fishmonger and see if he has any scraps you can have. Just make sure you take out any bones. Otherwise, they could choke."

Camilo gave his friend a disbelieving gaze and said, "How do you know all that?"

"Books."

"Well, I have at least four hours before the kids arrive. Anyone care to join me?" Camilo asked and picked up the box.

"I'll come," Renzo said and plucked the small gray from the pile. It immediately started purring. "You gonna name them?"

"How can you name something you just met?" David asked as he too plucked a kitten from the pile. His choice was the orange tabby. "We don't even know whether they are boys or girls yet."

Camilo shook his head and watched his friends go all mushy over some cats. There was only one left, an even smaller... oh, a black one…it looked up at Camilo with tiny blue eyes. Camilo was doing his best to not get attached, but thought, how could something so cute be bad luck? He smiled and pet it, the kitten purred and immediately climbed up his arm to his shoulder. It purred contentedly, and Camilo decided he might just keep this one for himself. They started up the hill toward town, and once they reached the fisherman's storefront, they put the kittens back in the box. Camilo handed it off to Renzo and went inside.

Señor Aguilar was behind the counter wiping it down when the boys came in.

"Hola Señor Aguilar," Camilo said with his usual smile. "How business?"

"Business is fine, Camilo, what can I do for you?"

"Do you have any scraps I can feed to some wayward kittens?"

"I have a few heads and tails," he said, "but if you're feeding them to kittens, you'll need to boil them and mash it up good."

"Oh, how come?" Camilo asked.

"Small teeth. How many are there?" the fishmonger asked as he brought out a small bucket.

"Just three." Camilo answered.

Señor Aguilar picked out two heads and a fat piece of tail and handed him the bucket and said, "Good luck! Looking forward to the show tonight."

Surprised he knew about it; Camilo thanked him and he and David went back out onto the street. Camilo was not at all sure if Tía Julieta would even let him bring the fish, let alone the kittens, into her kitchen. The three started toward Casita when Renzo was spotted by his father, who called to him. Renzo shrugged apologetically and handed the box off to David. "See you later, Camilo."

"Bye." Both he and David said. They'd almost made it to the edge of town when a small voice shouted, "David, dinner!"

"Sorry, Camilo," David said.

"Thanks for the help."

"David!" the voice shouted again.

David turned back and shouted, "I'm coming already!" He rolled his eyes and said, "See you at the show. Say hi to Mirabel for me." And winked as he handed Camilo the box of mewling kittens. Camilo juggled the box and bucket awkwardly, but was making steady progress toward Casita.

"Need some help there, primo?" Luisa asked as she came up beside him.

"Yes, please," he said and turned to hand Luisa the bucket.

He froze as Luisa snatched the box and sat down on the spot. "Kittens! Where did you find them? My goodness, these are the cutest little balls of fluff."

Camilo explained how he'd come by them and sat there with her and petted them. The black one scurried back up to his perch on Camilo's shoulder. He detached it from is shirt and asked, "Luisa, can you help bring them back to the house? I need to get them fed, but I also need to get stuff ready for the show tonight."

"I'll feed them for you," Luisa said excitedly. "I'll explain it to Mamá."

"Thanks, that'll help a lot."

"No problem, Cam. Oh, they are just so cute!"

"What's so cute?" Isabela said as she came up from behind. "Oh, my goodness! Kittens!"

Luisa had two draped on her shoulders, with the black one climbing up in her hair.

"Who's got kittens?" Dolores asked as she came up beside Isa.

"Luisa," Isabela answered.

"Can I?" asked Dolores as she reached out to pet the one on Luisa's left shoulder.

"We need to feed them first," Luisa said and stood, this effectively put the kittens just out of reach of the other two. She put out a hand and Camilo handed her the bucket of fish. She turned and waved with her other hand, Isabela and Dolores following behind, fruitlessly attempting to snag a cat.

Camilo watched them go and wondered if the kittens would survive their first night in Casa Madrigal. He thought he should name the little black Tena. Was a good name. He looked down the hill to his stage. There were things to do there, but he was hungry. Then he remembered the other sack he'd left back there; it was full of snacks. He pulled his ruana out of the box, shook it and put it on as he picked up the crate. As he was heading down the hill, Antonio appeared, riding Parce.

"Hey Toni, what's up?"

"Parce said he smelled fish, but you don't have any. Why do you smell like fish?"

Camilo looked at his brother and asked, "What?"

"Parce says you smell like fish, and I think he wants some."

Camilo took a step back as Parce took a step forward.

"He's not going to eat you," Antonio said matter-of-factly. "He just wants some fish."

"Antonio, shouldn't you be getting ready for the play?" Camilo asked in an attempt to distract him.

"Oh, that's today?"

"Really, hermanito?"

"Hey guys!" Camilo turned to see Mirabel approaching. "Ready for tonight?"

"Camilo smells like fish," Antonio said.

Mirabel gave Camilo a look but turned to Antonio and said, "Really? Well, it probably has to do with those kittens Bea said she was dropping off today."

"Kittens?!" Antonio shouted, "Where?"

"They're likely still in the kitchen, with Luisa," Camilo said and Antonio and Parce immediately turned to go there, "Hey!" Camilo added to their retreating forms, "Don't forget to be here for the dress rehearsal!"

"Okay!" Antonio shouted and disappeared as he crested the hill.

Mirabel was still standing near the stage with her hands behind her back, waiting for something.

"I'm kinda busy right now Mira-" he stopped when she brought a basket out from behind her. Whatever was in it smelled delicious.

"Hungry?" was all she asked as she sat on the edge of the stage and lifted the cloth. "Your mom asked me to bring this to you. There's enough for both of us. She didn't want you to miss out on your dad's awesome chili."

"Sorry, for snapping at you," Camilo said, and sat on the other side of the basket. "Kinda nervous." Mirabel handed him a covered bowl with a spoon. He took it and pulled the towel off. He dipped the spoon in and had to blow on the contents before putting it in his mouth. Mira passed him an arepa when she saw his reaction to the heat. "What if it all goes horribly wrong?" he said after taking a bite.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. This is really just a longer version of what you've already done, right?" Mirabel said confidently.

"Yeah, not sure why I'm worried all of a sudden."

"Maybe it's because you smell like fish," Mirabel said and giggled.

"Do I?" Camilo asked, looking down at his clothes.

"Not that I can smell, but then I'm not a 200-pound jaguar," Mirabel was still laughing in between bites.

Camilo smiled ruefully and asked, "You think I'll ever get those kittens back from Luisa?"

"Nope."

Camilo finished his chili but was still hungry, so he pulled the bag of sweets closer and peeked inside.

"Anything good?" Mirabel asked.

He reached in and pulled out a few of the wrapped bundles. After carefully untying them, he set them between himself and his prima. He picked up one of the buñuelos and popped it into his mouth. Mira pointed questioningly at the sweets, and he nodded, so she picked one and ate it. She picked up another and bit it. She was watching him in that way she had that let you know she wanted to say something, but didn't want to say something. Well, she'd spill it eventually, and he started mentally going through his to-do list.

"Cam?"

"Yeah?" he replied as he was counting the lights that were strung across the front of the stage. He stood up and flipped a nearby switch, and the lights flickered to life. The windmills that had been constructed to make electricity for the Encanto were definitely doing their job. He was adjusting them to get maximum coverage on the stage when Mirabel asked, "Can I get your opinion on something?"

"My opinion?" He asked in mild disbelief. No one ever asked for his opinion, except maybe Antonio.

"Do you see anyone else here?"

Camilo shifted into David, only because he knew David was sweet on his cousin, and asked, "Is this about David?"

She frowned at him and said, "Yes."

He wasn't really expecting her to say yes, so Camilo shifted back to himself, sat down and asked, "Did he do something?"

"Oh no, no, no…nothing like that." Mirabel said, waving her hands.

"Then what?"

Mirabel was fiddling with a tassel on the end of her skirt and was not looking at him, "Ummm, he…," her shoulders slumped, and she closed her eyes and said in a rush, "He kinda of asked me out on a date, and I wanted to ask you what you thought because you are his friend, and you know him, right?" Her hands were flying about as she spoke, "Not that I don't know him but now with the whole everyone is attracted to the miracle thing, I wasn't sure if I should say yes, I mean I want to but if you thought maybe that other thing was why and not because-"

"Slow down there, Mira," he said and put a hand on her shoulder.

Mirabel put her hands back in her lap and groaned, "I sound like an idiot."

"Not gonna argue with that," he said, and she gently thwacked his arm. "You know, the crazy only seems to be affecting the people who are new here. David's lived here his whole life, remember? How could you forget he's Osvaldo's kid? Remember the 'not special, special'. That was his idea… I swear I didn't know about that beforehand. Truth is, I'm surprised it took David this long to get around to it. He's been hinting at it since we were fourteen."

"Really?" Mirabel asked.

"Yep, he be smitten with you, Mirabel Madrigal."

She smiled and let out a huge sigh, "Thanks."

"For what? Telling you the obvious?"

"That, and being the best big brother, I never knew I wanted."

"Not a problem, hermanita," he said and plucked a sweet cake out of the pile and added as he chewed, "glad I could help."

"Please don't choke," Mira said as she reached into the basket and pulled out a small covered pitcher and a couple of cups. She poured some lemonade and offered it to him. He took it and she poured herself some. Looking at the stage, she offered a toast for a successful performance. He clinked cups with her and they downed it.

Mirabel put the rest of the left-over sweets into the basket and hung around to help get the kids ready by helping them into their costumes and generally staying out of sight. The curtain was closed now and folks were arriving, setting up blankets on the hill. David and Renzo came backstage to help with the lights and curtain. Camilo peeked out and was surprised by the number of people on the hill. In fact, the whole Madrigal family was front and center. He waved Mirabel over, and she looked out and said, "Oh wow, sorry…"

"For what? This is great, got a real audience this time." Camilo said as he let the curtain fall back into place. He rubbed his hands together and got the children to their places. They were ready, and it made Camilo happy to see his little brother talking just as excitedly as the rest of the kids. Parce was asleep backstage, and Mira went to sit with the jaguar, so she could watch and not to distract from the production. Antonio went and spoke with the hen they were using for the play. She calmed down after Antonio assured her, she would not be cut open and that that part of the play had been changed. The bird settled, so Antonio went to his mark.

"Everybody ready?"

Everyone nodded, and Camilo took a deep breath and stepped just outside the curtain. The sun had almost set and the lights on the edge of the stage made it hard to see those directly in front of him, but he didn't actually need to see them. So, with great flourish and dramatic speaking, he introduced his play.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to our show. A dramatic retelling of 'The Hen that Lays Golden Eggs'!"

He guided the curtain to be sure there were no snags and for just a moment, when Antonio saw all the people, he froze. The hen clucked quietly and Antonio snapped out of it and said the first line: "Hola, Señora, can I interest you in some eggs?"

The play finished, and the kids lined up to take bows as the crowd cheered. The curtain closed and Antonio went and retrieved the hen from her perch. She was the central character, after all. When the curtain opened for the second time, all the children pointed to the hen as Antonio held her up, and the crowd cheered louder. The hen spread her wings and inclined her head to her fans.

Camilo came out then and stood behind his tiny actors and thanked everyone who had helped, from the set builders to the costume makers. Having the Ramirez twins come up on stage along with David and Renzo. Camilo took a step back and yanked a protesting Mirabel up as well, and they all took a final bow. When the curtain closed, the kids swarmed him, and he thanked them all for their hard work and reminded them there would be a party afterward at Casita, so they should leave their costumes on until then. Parents were arriving to collect the actors, thanking Camilo for such a wonderful show. He asked that the kids gather in Casita's Plaza. That's when his mother and Abuela came, he assumed, for Antonio.

Abuela came first to him and said, "Camilo, you did such a wonderful job with this, such a wonderful play. The children did so well. I know you will make a wonderful teacher." She actually gave him a hug. Camilo stood there, a little in shock, she hadn't hugged him since he was seven. He always thought of it like it was collateral damage from Mira's failed Gift ceremony or possibly left-over anger at his shifting into Abuelo Pedro, he was never really sure which it was.

"Thanks, Abuela," Camilo said, and Antonio shouted "Group hug!" and used his jaguar pounce. Camilo stepped in between his brother and Abuela and after disentangling themselves, Antonio took Abuela's hand and led her out from backstage. He was talking faster than Camilo had ever heard him. His mother came over then and gave him a quick hug and peck on his cheek, telling him how proud she and his father were, and followed Abuela and Antonio toward Casita. Parce had vanished and Mirabel was talking to David while Renzo stood nearby looking bored.

"We gonna clean up?" Renzo asked.

"Nah," Camilo answered, "we can do that tomorrow, however, I am taking this basket of goodies. Come on, let's go join the party."

Tia Julieta came up then and gave him a hug as well, she was telling him how much she enjoyed seeing the children when she spotted Mirabel and David. As he expected, she shooed the pair out from backstage toward Casita. Lorenzo tugged on his shirt, and Camilo took a last satisfied look around and flicked off the lights.