El Corazón Herido de Alma Madrigal

Agustín finished preparing the araçá juice under the mostly watchful eye of his wife who was fishing the last of the chicken bones from the pot of broth she made. While he was accident prone, he was less so when in the presence of his wife. He knew what the price of fixing his damaged self cost her and did not want to add to an already stressful day. She, of course, had been up too long and it showed as she moved slowly around the worktable after she put the lid on the pot.

"Mi amor, time for a break," he said and offered her a cup of the fresh juice. She looked about to protest, but he gently took her hand and placed the cup in it. She smiled that beautiful smile that he could never tire of seeing and nodding she went to the table, sat down and took a long sip.

"Thank you," she said, fingertips tapping on the wooden surface. "I hope this is isolated, I don't think I'm ready for a full-blown outbreak of anything. Thank goodness there's another doctor in the Encanto. Mamá is a little better, but I'm worried this will take too much of her strength to fight off. I'm going to call on Dr. Gonzalez in the morning and have him come check on her."

Julieta clearly had a better idea of what was happening with her mother and had always wanted to study these types of things. It was an unexpected blessing when that opportunity came. She was learning much from the new doctor that had arrived within months of the mountain splitting open. He, like the people he came with were refugees from Colombia's latest troubles.

Agustin listened as she recounted some of what she'd learned recently, one of which was a thing called antibiotics. Specifically, penicillin. The Doctor told her how it had saved many lives of those wounded during the war in Europe. A wonder drug, made from, of all things, fungus. But it was soon discovered that multiple doses were required to prevent relapse.

The man had come to Colombia from Spain, hoping to escape the civil war there only to have misfortune follow him here. Having already lost his wife and child in Spain, there was an air of loss that followed Dr. González and though Julieta was glad to have another to help care for the townsfolk, she did not push. Agustín thought it odd that Dr. González, who had some knowledge of traditional healing, did not put much stock in it. Though he was oddly open minded enough to teach his wife when she asked. But then, Julieta Madrigal was very good at getting what she wanted. She would politely ask and you would totally think it was your idea to do as she asked. Her mother's daughter for sure. Having already read all the books Dr. González had brought with him it was clear Julieta was not satisfied. She wanted to learn more.

"You're doing your-" Agustín stopped when he heard a low growl. He looked past his wife and spied Antonio in the doorway of the kitchen atop Parce. He put a hand on his wife's arm to forestall her getting up and said as he approached him, "Ay, Antonio, why you out of bed little one."

"Don't feel good," Antonio replied looking miserable, "and Parce said you weren't in your room and he could find you."

Agustín picked him up and felt his head, he had a fever but did not look dehydrated, "Thank you for bringing him, Parce." The jaguar chuffed and laid down in the doorway. Julieta waived Agustín over and he came and sat next to her cradling the half-awake boy. She felt his head and and her brow crinkled, eyebrow raised. She was calculating what it would take of her strength to help her sobrino. She reached over and picked up the cup of juice that casita had poured.

"Take a sip, Antonio," Julieta said, Agustín knew she was letting her Gift flow into the juice. Antonio perked up a little and after a few more sips, he was much more alert, this surprised Julieta. Agustín was watching, eyebrows raised as her surprise turned to some sort of realization. She'd never been able to 'cure' fevers in the past only ease the symptoms. Julieta felt Antonio's head again and looked astonished.

"Thanks, Tía. I'm gonna go back to bed now," Antonio said and drank the rest of the cup. He set it down and gave her a hug then turned and gave Agustín a hug as well. He climbed atop Parce and even as the jaguar left the kitchen, Julieta was up pouring another cup. Agustín was right behind her as they hurried up to her mother's room.

Isabela could see Mirabel was just short of having a full-on panic attack. However much she herself was disinterested in Abuela's attention. Mirabel needed her. Needed her to show her how to navigate the folks in town. Isa put a hand on her sister's shoulder but Mira seemed frozen in place staring at the door that led to the hallway. Mira must be able to see the curled leaves as well.

"Abuela's leaving us," Mira said this in flat tone, Isa had seen that expression on Mira's face before. It was when Abuela was accusing her of hurting the family, the same as what she must have been feeling when Casita fell...all pain, only this time there was dose of fear mixed into it. Luisa noticed and came to stand in front of Mira blocking her view of the door to the hall. Mirabel looked up at Luisa, then at her and said as she held up a rosary Tio Bruno had given her, "I'm not ready...pray with me?"

Alma sat up in a field of green, the cool breeze that flowed over the grass felt nice. The sun was shining but not too brightly. She looked around, it was familiar but at the same time it was not. In the distance was a house that was not Casita. But she knew that house. Getting up she was surprised her knees did not ache. She noticed then the wrinkles on her hands were gone. She touched her face as she started toward the house. It was so peaceful here. She spun and a flurry flurry of blue butterflies flitted about her.

Mirabel took her sisters hands holding them close to her heart, together they recited the rosary as quickly and as fervently as they could. Praying to the Virgin for her intersession on behalf of her Abuela Alma. They had only just finished when Casita bumped the floor beneath them and all three turned when the door opened and their parents were there. Their mother went immediately into Abuela's room, closing the door behind her. Their father stopped them following after and asked them all to sit. They arranged themselves on the sofa and he sat on the bed, alternately looking at the three of them and Abuela's door.

She came to a road and Alma stopped looking at it. It troubled her, but it was just a hard packed dirt road like many she'd traveled on in her life. Still, there was a feeling that if she crossed that road, she would not…not…not be…Alarmed, she turned back the way she'd come but froze when she heard his voice.

"Alma."

It didn't matter that half a century had passed, she knew if she turned toward it…toward him, she would not be able to resist. She would happily pass away into his arms. But that would leave Mirabel as she had been, unprepared and overwhelmed for her role. She had to go back the way she'd come. Back to her children, back to her grandchildren, back to Mirabel.

"What's happening, Pa?" Isa asked.

"Your mother is…trying out something to better help Abuela," he said carefully and added, "It appears your mother's Gift has changed some."

Mirabel's face shone with the hope that Isa and Luisa now shared. Now when Isa looked at the door, she gasped as the dying, curled leaves, unfurled as she watched. What had her mother learned?

She stared at the field and thought, the first and hardest...one step. She did and the grass parted showing her the way.…then another, keep moving forward, no backwards steps. She closed her eyes to the tears that threatened to halt her and blindly she started to run. Her wounded heart urging her on. She was not ready to go. Not yet. Please Lady, not yet. There was the taste of araçá juice was on her tongue, but still she kept going.

"What are you seeing, Isa?" Luisa asked.

"She's better?" Isa said.

"What? Who?" Luisa asked quickly. Just then Abuela's door opened and their mother said, "Mira, I need you to come." Mirabel stood and nodded as she ran quickly across the room.

"Abuela…please stay…"

Alma stopped and looked at her hands, the wrinkles worn into her skin from years of worry were back. Thank you, Lady, thank you. Alma fell to her knees and cried; partly from relief, partly because this was the second time she'd lost him. The second time that old wound in her heart, that one she'd barely let heal, was once again exposed and bleeding but at the same time there was joy.

Alma opened her teary eyes; she was back in her bed. The worried faces of Julieta and Mirabel hovering over her. This was where she needed to be. She noticed she was sitting, propped up on pillows. Julieta handed her the cup she was holding and said, "Please drink the rest, Mamá."

Alma nodded and took an experimental sip. It was good. Moments later a sniffling Isabela and Luisa were also there standing behind their sister who was just as teary. Alma finished the drink and was surprised at how well she felt. It was not just the grandchildren that had grown with the new miracle, Alma realized, Julieta's time studying with the new doctor in the Encanto had saved her.

"What a wondrous new thing you have learned Julieta, thank you, hija."

"You're welcome, Mamá, but you'll need to have at least one cup a day until I'm sure you're past the chance of relapse," Julieta said as she gave her hand a squeeze.

Alma smiled and nodded.

"Okay you two," she said pointing to Isa and Luisa, "Off to bed…in your own rooms, please."

Isa was about to protest but their father came in and said, "Let's let your sister get some rest in her own bed."

Isa turned to their father and started, "But Pa-" she was forced to stop as Luisa casually lifted her with one arm and exited Mira's room saying "Goodnight everyone, we'll see you in the morning."

Mirabel smiled, she had so many questions to ask.

"You too, Mira, off to bed." Julieta said quietly as she took the now empty cup and placed it on the window sill.

"Can I stay for a little longer? I promise I won't keep Abuela up long. I just…"

Her mother paused and looked toward Alma who nodded and Julieta said, "Alright Corazón." She gave Mira a hug and kissed her forehead. Her father did the same and together they said goodnight and left Alma's room. Mirabel pulled the only chair close to the edge of the bed and said, "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Alma asked.

"For making you leave heaven."

Alma took her hands and said with a tilt of her head, "Mirabel, you did no such thing," and she said to herself more than Mirabel, "I came back because I wanted to."

"Tio Bruno said you would but I didn't understand why until a little bit ago."

"Do you?"

"The doors…the new miracle…why people seem to be following me around. Is it weird that I'm terrified but so happy?

"No, but unlike last time, this miracle was born not out of grief and fear but love and hope."

Mirabel smiled and gave her a hug and said, "I'm so happy to have you here with me, Abuela, to show me what I need to know." Mirabel sagged, "I just hope…"

"Mirabel, you already have what's needed inside you. Please do not doubt that. I said once that I didn't know why you weren't given a Gift, I believe I know now. The previous miracle knew better than I. You truly are a wonder Mirabel Madrigal. You are the heart of this family now. You're love and support has made us all stronger."

Mirabel blushed and looked at the photo of her Abuelos on the table by the bed and smiled. "Abuelo Pedro had such kind eyes. I wish I could have met him. I used to think of Casita as Abuelo...kinda weird."

Alma smiled and said, "Not so weird, Mirabel." Alma picked up the photo remembering the love captured in that moment. Love that Alma dearly hoped her grandchildren would experience some day.

"I'm going to bed now, Abuela, " Mirabel said as she got up from the chair. She stopped at the door and asked, "I'll see you in the morning?"

Alma nodded and said "Goodnight Mira," but added when she saw Mirabel closing the door, "Can you leave it open?" She did not want a repeat of the last time she tried to open it,

Mira cocked her head a little confused but smiled and said "Of course."

The lights dimmed and Casita clattered the tiles near the window in the other room. Alma smiled, Casita was scolding Mirabel for not getting into bed. The lights went out completely and Alma adjusted her position so she could sleep. She used to hate going to sleep, always he would could to her there and it would often leave her feeling sad and broken inside. Someday, mi vida, someday we will be together again.