Doors (Chapter 19) Apprentices

Tio Bruno is feeling chatty…can't really blame him, he has a lot of talking to catch up on

Apprentices

Camilo woke to find he had a bit of a sore throat and wondered if Tía Julieta was out of bed. He got up, dressed and was on his way down to the kitchen, sure that was where his Tía would be. Instead he found Mirabel at the bottom of the stairs, sitting behind a table with a pitcher and cups.

"Aren't you a little old to be running a lemonade stand, Mira?" Camilo said as he stepped up in front of her.

She ignored the question and asked, "Good Morning, Camilo, throat hurt?" and handed him a cup of juice.

"How did you know that?"

"Everyone seems to have one so Mamá set me up here to pass out soar throat juice."

"Okay," he said and took a sip, then set down the cup.

"You have to drink all of it Cam," Mirabel said and re-offered the cup.

"And if I don't?"

Mirabel shrugged. "You'll probably be fine for about an hour then..." she let it hang there.

"Fine," he said and took the cup and downed it all. Antonio came down next, he had Pico the toucan on his arm, the bird hopped onto the table and chirped as if to inform her of Antonio's soar throat. She set the cup in front of the bird who delicately picked it up with his beak and without so much a spilling a drop took it over to Antonio.

"Oh and before I forget, Mamá says we have to stay here until she gets back because we all might be contagious."

"Where did she go?" Camilo asked.

"To talk to Dr. González and to see if there were any townsfolk that came down with whatever this is."

Isa and Luisa came down and Mirabel gave both the juice and instructions to stay home for now. Isa stated she felt fine, but Luisa admitted her throat did feel a little scratchy this morning. Mirabel's sisters left with Antonio into the kitchen but Camilo stayed. Given all the hubbub the previous night he had questions. The adults tended to give him incomplete answers, but Mira would just tell him. So, he found a chair and sat down next to his prima. He leaned back in the chair, tipping it on its back legs and waited as Tío Bruno and Dolores got their cups and went into the kitchen. They were shortly followed by his parents and Tío Agustín.

His mother came around the table and untipped his chair. She felt his forehead and asked after drinking her juice, "You have a soar throat too, Camilo?"

"Yeah." he answered.

"I'm sorry, mi vida. Well, Antonio won't be going to school today, your Tía says he'll need to stay home for a few days. He wasn't in his room. Did he already come by?"

"Yeah, he went into the kitchen with Isa and Luisa."

"He had his juice then," His mother stated more than asked and headed into the kitchen. Camilo again tipped his chair back. The only ones he hadn't seen were Abuela and Tía. Mirabel was up and clearing the cups onto a tray but before she could pick it up and leave, Camilo let the chair drop back to the floor. He put a hand on her arm and asked, "So is Abuela okay?"

"She's better." Mirabel said sitting back down, "but I was really afraid we were going to lose her last night. Never been so scared. I think the only reason she didn't was because Mamá's Gift has changed in an unexpected way. But Mamá says that it's probably not like the flu. I forget what she said exactly, but that's why we're all having juice before breakfast." Mirabel paused as Casita clattered a few tiles nearby and said, "Cam can you take these in the kitchen for me? Make sure you put them in the sink and wash you hands, I'll catch up shortly." She then filled a cup with some juice and headed up the stairs.

Camilo watched her go then looked at the tray but decided to do as she asked anyway. He headed into the kitchen to find his Tía was there with another man he knew was Dr. González. He was a tall man with a thin build, and cracked face that never seemed to smile. He was leaning down to hear Tía over the chatter in the room. She guided him to the stairs and together they headed, he assumed, to Abuela's room. Turning back to the kitchen he saw breakfast was already done and his family was eating without him.

Mirabel went into her room but did not close the door. For whatever reason she didn't want to look at the other side of it. Stopping at Abuela's door she went in set the cup of juice on the nightstand and sat down in the chair by the bed. The shutters were closed closing out the morning sun. Abuela was still asleep and Mira hoped she was having a happy dream of Abuelo. Her mother came in her room with Dr. González and Mirabel got up and went there. Her mother smiled and closed Abuela's door behind her. She indicated Mirabel should sit on a nearby chair, so she did, hoping she was not in the way.

The Doctor came around in front of her, set down his bag on the bed and opened it, pulling out a flashlight. The Doctor waived her mother closer and asked Mirabel to open her mouth. Mira looked to her mother who nodded, so Mirabel did as requested.

"See those tiny white spots on the at the back of her throat?" Her mother nodded and the doctor continued, lightly touched her chin and Mirabel closed her mouth, "She's not throwing up, correct?" Her mother nodded, "Now feel here," he said as he touched the sides Mira's neck just below her jaw, Mirabel winced a little and he apologized as he took his hands away. The Doctor indicated her mother should do the same so, her mother smiled at Mira as she placed her hands as he had.

"Oh, there's a lumpiness."

"Those are her lymph-nodes, they're a bit swollen, but nothing concerning. This is also a sign that the infection is bacterial and treatable with antibiotics. Check everyone and have anyone with a sore throat in your household stay home for at least 48 hours. Give them your juice mixture, I'd say at least four times day for about a week. But you shouldn't be contagious after the first two days."

Her mother turned to her and asked, "Everyone had their juice?" Mira nodded. Her mother smiled and told her she should go eat breakfast. Mirabel nodded and got up. They moved to Abuela's room, but didn't close the door. As she was leaving she heard the doctor say, "I want to thank you for bringing me that juice this morning. I was worried because I do not have much of a supply of penicillin. Am I correct in assuming your healing ability does not work on yourself." There was a pause and Mira assumed her mother nodded, "The pills I had you take will help your body kill the bacteria, but you'll need to take them, just like the juice, four times a day for the next seven days."

Mirabel realized she was eavesdropping so she walked quietly out into the hallway and down to the kitchen. She hadn't realized her mother was sick like everyone else. Mirabel paused in her thinking, clearly this was a stupid assumption on her part. She walked into the dining room and everyone was eating except her Pa who was no doubt waiting for her mother. She made herself a small plate and sat down next to Camilo and Dolores. Antonio had already gone back upstairs with his mother. Tío Félix and Tío Bruno were talking about how to get as much juice as possible made or perhaps another drink could be used. Isa suggested coffee or even mint tea from the opposite side of the table, but also said she would grow whatever plant they needed.

Mirabel pushed food around on her plate with her fork. It still hurt to swallow, so instead of eating she said, "Hey, Pa?"

"Yes?"

"Can you teach me to make pants?"

His eyebrows went up but he nodded and poured himself some coffee. "I can and it shouldn't take too long, since you're already adept at making dresses. Any particular reason?"

Luisa and Isa were watching her and Mirabel shrugged and said, "If we gotta stay in the house for the next two days, might as well learn something new."

"Two days?" Camilo asked.

"That's what the Doctor says," Mirabel answered, "You that excited about taking Antonio to school?"

"Actually I was going to talk with Señor Gomez about a job."

"At the school? Oh that sounds exciting. What kind?" Mirabel asked.

Camilo did not appear to want to answer.

"Camilo was offered an apprenticeship to be a teacher." Dolores stated proudly. She had gotten up and was standing behind her brother now and bent over giving him a hug.

"That sounds wonderful," Luisa said, "You're sure to do great! The kids all love you."

"Good on you, Primo," Isa said, "Congratulations."

"A teacher, that's great!" Tío Bruno said.

"Mirabel," her father said, "Since you want to learn to make pants, we'll make Camilo a new pair. He'll want to make a good impression. You had a lot of nice material in your room, where did it come from?"

"Abuelo Joseph's shop. He donated some for Camilo's theater project."

"Oh, well we'll need to stop by and thank him then. Once you can leave the house that is."

"Ooo, that would be perfect," Mirabel said and turned to Camilo, "You up for it, Primo? It'll make sewing the boy costumes a little easier too, I think Bri knows how to make pants but she's a terrible teacher."

Camilo was just staring at the lot of them, he seemed genuinely taken aback by the avalanche of praise and offers of help, but he smiled then nodded to her.

"Great!" Mirabel said.

Her mother came into the dining room then. Dr. González was not with her, but Abuela was.

"Good morning, Abuela!" Everyone said. Isa and Luisa sounded very enthusiastic, probably a bit of guilt for not say good night the day before.

"Good morning, everyone," Abuela replied and came and sat at the table. Her mother was ladling some of the chicken soup she finished preparing this morning into some bowls and brought it to Abuela. Her mother sat down with a sigh looking at all the dishes on the table. Isa and Luisa got the hint as both stood and started clearing the table and went into the kitchen with a load, Dolores who had collected an armful herself, went as well. Camilo went with his father, he said, to check on Antonio. Her father poured his mother a cup of mint tea and one for Abuela as well. He waited for her mother to start eating before he too left the dining room with an armload of dishes. She was about to get up herself until Tío Bruno sat next to her putting a bowl of soup in front of her. He apparently noticed she hadn't eaten much of her breakfast.

"Eat," he said and handed her a spoon. Her mother and Abuela smiled as she took the spoon and started eating. The soup kinda felt nice on her throat so she finished it all. Her throat felt noticeably better and Mirabel remembered the rosary she still had in her pocket. She'd spent a few minutes this morning examining it before her mother came in her room handing her a cup of juice, leaving her only to go check on Abuela. The rosettes were not the most polished creations but it had the look of something made with great care. She wondered then if her Tío had made it and was going to give it back to him, but he stopped her and told her it was hers now.

"Thanks, Tío."

"You're welcome Mira. So now that you've eaten, you have a few minutes for your Tío?" he asked, "There's something I want to show you."

"Ummm, okay," she said a little nervously when she noticed her mother pause in her eating. She looked at her brother intently. Bruno nodded slightly to her and she returned to her meal. Mirabel followed her Tío out of the dining room, up the second floor, stopping at the base of the tower stairs. He looked at the door there and harrumphed and started up. When they reached the door, he turned toward Mirabel, handed her a small amount of salt and waived at her to come closer to the door. He held out his hand and she took it and he threw the salt in his own hand over his shoulder. Mirabel mimicked him and knocked on the door with him five times and once on her head.

He gave her an appreciative smile and opened the door. They walked into the empty room, and her Tío turned her toward the stairs. Once at the top, Mirabel stared in disbelief at all the doors.

"Where did these all come from?"

"You don't know?"

"Not a clue. Casita?" There was an unusually long clattering and Mirabel asked, "Abuela?" There was additional clattering as she walked up and down the dirt path. It was dirt too, she wondered if she'd be able to dig here.

"So Casita is saying Mamá did this?" Tio Bruno asked.

"Casita isn't sure if she asked or if they were here the whole time and Abuela triggered it." Mirabel went to the door with the light shining over it. It looked a lot like Abuela's door in her room, just no knocker. "This was the only one that was here when she came up here yesterday,"

"This one was locked last night," he said then added when she tilted her head questioningly, "We, meaning myself, your mother an Tía Pepa were here poking around last night."

Curious she turned the knob. It was not locked now. She glanced over to her Tío, he had a look of concern but stepped up next to her as she opened it. She let the door swing all the way open and peered in. She let out a relieved sigh, it was her Abuela's room, but she was not there at the moment. Mirabel wondered if this was why the door to her Abuela's room had gone missing last night. If it was, that was just weird. She pulled the door closed and looked at the others.

"I wonder where these go?" She walked to the next closest door and found it to be locked. There was a key hole but no key in sight.

"I think we should talk to your Abuela before we try any more of them. No telling where they lead," her Tío said.

"Yeah probably a good idea." Mirabel said and then turned to the path that stretched into the forest pointed and asked, "What about that?"

"No idea, though it does look suspiciously like the path behind Casita."

"Why suspiciously?"

"Mira, were standing in the tallest tower of a magically animated house, where a random path has appeared leading...somewhere and not even the house knows where."

"True," she said then added, "But don't you want to know where it goes?"

"Not at the moment. Either way you're sick remember? You want to exhaust your mother, who is also sick, by getting worse?"

Mirabel realized she had not remembered. Whatever happened with her mother's Gift had made her being sick more of an inconvenience than an actual concern. A selfish and dangerous way of thinking if she ever heard one. Making herself worse would definitely not help. Mirabel sighed and said "You're right, Tío."

"Good, now there's something else I want you to take a look at," Tío Bruno said and turned toward the stairs. Mirabel followed but paused to look at the path one more time before descending. It was weird but she thought that someone, somewhere in that darkness was calling out for help. Probably her imagination.

She followed him next to his room. He swung open the door and was instantly assailed by a number of his friends. "Hang on," he said to them as he went to the desk. He moved a vision tablet out of the way and picked up a number of pieces of paper. He indicated she should sit down on the sofa as he handed her the papers that appeared to have sketches on them. She assumed she was supposed to look at them because her Tío was occupied with the rats. She alternately looked at the drawings and watched her Tío as he pulled a small package wrapped in a napkin out from his pocket. He spent a few minutes breaking up the arepas, making sure that none of the rats were left out.

"Tío what are these sketches of?"

He cocked an eyebrow then had a realization and said, "Sorry, I forgot you didn't know about these. These are sketches I made of what I remembered of the visions I've been having."

Alarmed Mirabel asked, "Visions?" she only knew about the one, "How many?"

"As of this morning maybe 18...maybe...", he trailed off seeing her concerned expression.

"Oh my gosh, Tío are you okay?"

"I'm fine, never better," he smiled and sitting on the ottoman.

"But, Abuela said...you..."

"Did she?" he asked

Mirabel nodded.

He seemed surprised by that but leaned in and said, "Yes, that used to be true."

"Does that mean your Gift changed too?"

"I suppose it does, but not in the way you may be thinking. Can't say I can do anything new, but Mira, I used to spend an inordinate amount of my time fighting those visions off. That one in Isa's room, caught me completely off guard because I'd talked myself into believing I could just ignore them. I can't. So when it happened I panicked. It felt like all the bad things I ever associated with my Gift were attacking me all at once."

"It looked like it hurt, a lot."

"Not physically," he said, "emotionally, well that's a different issue. But when you reawakened the Gifts and Casita my Gift like this room, reset itself. The only difference being I know what going to happen, so there's really nothing for me to fear. I am thankful your mother was able pull me out of that and it is ironic that it was my birthday."

"I don't understand."

"I personally believe that the Gifts that La Candela gave us had more to do with the source and less about the person receiving it..."

"You mean Abuela asked for them?"

"Yes? but not consciously and then only what she felt was needed at that time."

"I wonder if that is why I didn't get a Gift. Maybe nothing was needed."

"I think it was a little more complicated than that. I mean, La Candela had to know about the cracks in Casita's foundation. Had to know that eventually the foundation that was laid would fail because of the discord that already existed. But the one who didn't see it was the one who needed to."

"Abuela."

"She wasn't always as she was at the end, Mirabel. She was actually a lot like you. It took time, pressure, and a lot of guilt and fear to turn her into the woman she became. If you think about it, did the Encanto need a shapeshifter? Or a little boy who can talk to animals? Makes you wonder how those Gifts were chosen."

"What are you saying Tío?"

"I'm saying, I don't think the last two Gifts were chosen or influenced by your Abuela, but by the person closest to the receivers. The one that knew them best. The one La Candela had decided would be the one to take the family into the future once it was gone."

"Is that why the inside of my door looks the way it does?"

"I'll be honest, since I don't know who requested that door, it would be hard to say why it's there." he nudged her hand, "But it's not why I brought you here," and indicated the papers she was still holding. "I had a vision of these people, they are headed here somehow through the mountains behind us."

Mirabel started leafing through the pages and stopped at one that, to her, looked out of place. The woman it depicted was dark skinned, very tall, with hair that was twisted instead of being braided. She had several out of focus children behind her. She was looking at something that made her look very angry, not afraid like the others, but pure anger. She turned it so her Tio could look at it with her.

"I don't know why but I get the feeling she's the one leading these people."

Her Tio looked at it and grunted as he got up and picked the vision tablet off the desk. He handed it to Mirabel and she took it while handing the sketches back to her uncle. Mirabel tilted it, examining every corner of it. She looked over at her Tio, he had a mischievous grin on his face. Mirabel smiled back and thought, Isabela was going to be so happy.