Isabela wants something she thinks is no longer possible…makes for a long morning. I do not recommend self harm as a way of dealing with issues. Though I do understand why it happens. I say this as someone who once lived in a very dark world…It will get better. Might take longer than you want, but there's always light, even if it's one star a billion miles away. Perfectamente Imperfecta

Perfectamente Imperfecta

(Perfectly Imperfect)

Dolores finished her breakfast quickly and left the table to go to Mirabel's room. She probably should have asked first, but Mirabel was busy looking after Paola and she did tell her mother what she was about, so Dolores hoped Mirabel wouldn't mind. Keeping track of the people in the mountains was far more interesting to her and a better use of her time. In fact, she honestly thought this was the happiest she ever felt about having this magical ability.

After last night, Dolores noticed Casita had improved the map. More areas showed either rocks or trees. The larger group had halted near a previously unknown river. It made Dolores wonder how Doris and Inez had gotten the children across it. Dolores looked at the group of children, they were still pretty deep in the forested area and were nowhere near the place Camilo had returned to Casita from.

She was watching three separate sets of lights now. The larger group, which had been camped by the river, came into view just after breakfast. She had been watching for them since Antonio came to her to tell her Tina the owl had returned and said they took down the houses. She assumed that meant they'd broken camp and were on the move. She had managed to have Casita label the leader, whose head now floated near the front of a line of dimly glowing lights. She guessed there were a total of twenty-five. Fernando was easy enough to spot since he was by himself, and Casita labeled that light as well. He did not appear to be following the women, he was instead skirting the larger group. Doris and Inez had at least five additional children with them. Most were likely younger than Paola, since their heart rates were faster than hers. Only the women ever spoke. The children, aside from an occasional cough or whine, said nothing.

Dolores let out a squeak when she heard:

Isabela (Let me help.)

Mirabel (sigh)

Isabela (Our family, was given a miracle. Or more rightly, our Abuela was given a miracle. This was passed on to us…we were each given a magical Gift to help the people of our community. I can grow, literally anything.)

There was a popping sound and everyone else went silent

Mirabel (Are you trying to frighten her?)

Isabela (I do not think a small cactus is frightening… See it's beautiful.)

Mirabel (Then why grow it under her nose?)

Isabela (Why not?)

Tiles clattered and Mirabel snapped (Stop it Casita. I don't need any help.)

More angry tiles rattled, there was a pause then Mirabel (I'm sorry, Issa, I keep forgetting.)

After a short silence, someone got up. Isabela said (No, I shouldn't have done that. I am sorry, Paola. I really did not mean to frighten you. Please accept this as part of my apology, it will match your pretty ribbon.) another short silence (I'm going up to my room to get ready for the meeting.)

Abuela said nothing during all of this, but her heart rate had gone up and though Isabela had sworn her to secrecy, Dolores was really concerned about her prima. That was why she told their Abuela the things Isabela had told her. Those scratches on her arms were showing up more and more frequently. Never too deep and at first, there were only a few, but by the end of last night and though she tried to hide them, even Antonio had noticed. He whispered his question to her when Issa had gone to the other side of the room when Abuela came in. She hoped she had reassured him, but the way he and Camilo were talking during breakfast made her wonder. It had also made her more aware of how stressed Isabela's voice sounded.

Last night, when Mirabel was dealing with whatever had happened in her room, Issa seemed genuinely worried about Mirabel's fear. Today she sounded like the old Issa, the one that was jealous of and pretended to dislike her little sister. Dolores wondered if that was what the real problem was. Isabela, Dolores knew, actually liked being the center of attention. It had been trained into her for almost twenty years. Now that their roles were switched and Mirabel was the focus, Isabela was not sure how or where she fit into things or even if she wanted to. Once Casita was finished, she confided, she planned to leave the Encanto and travel the world. Dolores had thought that would be wonderful and with Luisa planning to leave and become a vet, she needed someone to point her in some direction. But what she really needed was for their Abuela to apologize and accept her as she was.

Camilo appeared shortly thereafter but said nothing about the almost argument Issa and Mira had had. He said he was there to get a good look at the map. Like Mirabel, he poked at the floating heads and seemed surprised that he could not hear them. He was curious where he had actually been last night, and Casita did something neither were expecting. It recreated the route he took the night before. It appeared as a lightly glowing line, but thankfully this only took a few minutes, not the actual hours it took last night. While they watched, she asked if he was going to the meeting. He said no, since he did not feel he had completely recovered from his excursion the previous day. He left shortly thereafter to go eat second breakfast and start studying the books given to him by the headmaster at the school. It was weird, she thought, her bothersome little brother was going to be a teacher.

Dolores had had no specific requests either, or rather, no one really wanted her to be listening in on their conversations. If they did, it was mostly petty nonsense, so no loss there. Mariano was going to be at the meeting because his mother was on the council. He did promise to let her know if she should listen in. Sylvia Guzman, Dolores knew, wanted Mariano to take her place on the council one day. He was less than enthusiastic about that, but being a dutiful son, he went. Dolores thought he would actually be excellent at that, he was intelligent, charismatic and very well thought of. She had told him everything she knew about the mountain travelers while he was having breakfast with his mother. He tapped his fork on his plate twice, and Dolores stopped talking. They'd worked out that signal to let her know the other was listening to whomever was in front of them.

She was waiting somewhat impatiently for him to respond to his mother's last question when she heard.

Tío Agustín (Mirabel, there's something you need to know about Paola.)

Mirabel (Oh?)

Tía Julieta (Paola is a boy.)

Mirabel (What? But why would…)

Tía Julieta (I'm sure 'she' has her reasons, Corazón. They've clearly been through a lot, so I'm going to get the 'girl' clothes as she requested. If that is what it takes for her to be comfortable, then so be it.)

Tío Agustín (We just did not want you to find out in an awkward way.)

Dolores looked over at the label that Casita had assigned to Paola. It showed the smiling face of a little girl wearing a flower crown in her hair. Dolores hoped no one would make a big deal about it and she most certainly wasn't going to mention it. There were others in town who did similar things, and she was thankful her Abuela had never asked her to listen for them. She knew about them, especially those that would pray so fervently to the Virgin for peace and for answers as to why they felt the way they did.

When she was younger, and less able to shut out voices, it always made her sad to the point that either her mother would take her with her to the fields and let the thunder roll or her father would take her out to the woods. Far enough away that she could relax. He was the one that built the little shed she'd taken Mariano to.

She recalled another that would dress as a man but her memories of him were few, but she recalled he was a small man with a thin mustache. He was good friends with her Tío Bruno and his name was Jorge Rodriguez. For almost thirty years Jorge lived alone at the edge of town and made the most beautiful women's shoes in the Encanto. Even though this was considered women's work, everyone had at least one pair of his shoes.

When he died, unexpectedly, and it was discovered they were not a man, it caused quite the uproar. Because of her Gift, she heard it all and the days that followed were just horrible for her as the more spiteful folks wanted to put him in a dress to be buried, as God intended. Others were somewhat kinder about it but seemed to hold the same opinion about the dress. And most said less than generous things about Jorge's reasons for doing it. She learned a lot of words no eight-year-old should know. However, because Jorge Rodriguez had no family in the Encanto, her Tío asked Abuela if they could oversee the funeral arrangements. Abuela agreed but the folks who showed up to see how the body was dressed were disappointed to find her Abuela also insisted that the casket remained closed.

There were only a few other people in the church besides the Madrigals. Dolores was sitting with her family at the front of the church, and she heard Isabela ask Tío Bruno, "Do you think God will be mad at us for not letting the people say goodbye to him?"

Her Tío put an arm around her and said, "No. I don't think most of those people outside came to say goodbye to Jorge. Considering they never had a kind thing to say about Señor Rodriguez when he was alive."

"Oh…Tío why would they want to put Jorge in a dress?" Isa asked in a whisper and Tía Julieta, who sitting next to them rubbed her forehead.

Her Tío just said, "Just remember to always be yourself, don't let anyone tell you different."

People outside the church were gossiping up a storm and Dolores whimpered as she crawled into her father's lap and pushed her head into his chest. She closed her eyes and listened to his heart beat as he covered her other ear with his hand and began to hum. It filled her whole head as she relaxed and at some point, fell asleep.

Mariano (Dolores, mi vida)

Dolores started and looked at the town for Mariano's light. It was no longer in his house but on the street in front of it. She touched it lightly saying "Yes, Mariano?

Mariano (We are leaving for the meeting now.)

"Alright,

Isabela walked into her room and almost turned and walked back out. She examined all the scratches on her arm and frowned. She was finding it more and more difficult to control some aspects of her Gift. Or, more rightly, aspects of her anger. What happened during breakfast highlighted that major flaw to everyone in her family. The fact that she still wanted and needed her Abuela's approval irked her, and she saw now she was yet again trying to use Mirabel to get it, and not in a good way. She thought she was past all that. Her Abuela's non-reaction to it all, not only made her feel foolish, worse she had acted childish. She knew Mirabel really was the one best suited to take over for Abuela one day. Isabela did not want that job, in the same way she did not want to be tied to a man she did not love. Then why did she frighten a small child in an attempt to embarrass her sister? Why would Abuela want her to go early to that meeting? Mirabel was the one…Her thoughts were interrupted when there was a gentle tap on her door, and Luisa slipped in and closed it behind her. Isabela braced herself and turned toward her sister. But there was no anger in Luisa's expression, just concern. This annoyed Isabela even more than the potential confrontation, and she snapped, "What do you want?"

Luisa did not respond, but her eyes flicked to the thorns as they made new scratches on her arms. Isabela belatedly tried to hide them behind her. She forced the thorns that had popped out to retract, and Luisa asked, "Are you okay, Issa? I'm sure I'm not the only one to notice those cuts."

"Well, that's nobody's business but mine," Isabela said flatly.

Luisa made no reply and in the past, this would have been enough for her sister to leave her be, but Luisa continued to stand there looking around. Isabela felt her jaw clench, and she said, "You still haven't said what you wanted."

"I do not actually want anything, Issa. I'm just worried about you."

Shortly after the breaking, they had moved from the church to Abuelo Joseph's house. The three sisters shared a room and at first, it was weird. There was nowhere to hide or just be by yourself unless you left the house. Not wanting to deal with the townsfolk and their pity. They remained at the house when they were not working on Casita. They did at least have their own beds. This had led to many late night talks about what they wanted to do in the future. New things they wanted to try. Isabela even found a kindred spirit in her Abuela Valentina who encouraged her to learn all she could about the plants she was growing in her garden behind the house.

At Isabela's insistence, the sisters also made a promise to one another to make sure they paid attention to how they were feeling. To not look away but try to help if they could. She glanced back at Luisa who was still looking around and Isabela realized she was picking a fight with her sister to try to push her away. Luisa, however, wasn't budging, and Isabela closed her eyes as she let her arms drop to her sides. She sighed and said, "I'm fine really, just a little confused, I guess."

"So, is this actual fine," and Luisa paused and said, "or…Madrigal fine…"

Isabela gave a snort and frowned. Madrigal fine is what they'd taken to calling their state of mind before the breaking when they didn't want to face a problem. She wanted to believe she'd done a good job of letting go of old habits, but she knew in her heart, she was still stuck. In a lot of ways, she was still unwilling to believe in herself or that she could ever be more than she was before the house fell. Often she would pretend to ignore Mirabel when their sister offered a suggestion on how she could improve whatever it was she was trying to work through.

"Ah, so, Madrigal fine," Luisa said with a nod. "I know I've already said this Issa, but maybe you should try talking to her," Luisa said this carefully, but Isabela knew who she meant. "She's not the same as before, and I mean I did not think talking would make anything better either. I was wrong and since the magic's come back you've been, well, there's no good way to put this, you're being downright mean to Abuela. I mean, I get it, but don't you think you're going a little overboard with that? And why start picking at Mirabel? I thought you wanted this for her. You said you were happy you weren't required to be Señorita Perfecta anymore." When Isabela still did not answer, Luisa idly kicked at the flagstones waiting, but then said in disbelief, "Oh Dios Mio…you are jealous."

The conviction in Luisa's voice made Isabela immediately snap back, "I most certainly am not! How can you even think that?" Isabela shouted as she threw up her hands in exasperation. A wall of vines erupted between them and Isabela cringed, she had not actually meant to do that. Still Luisa pushed them aside with no effort.

She stood in front of Isabela with her hands on her hips and said, "Really?" Her tone was calm and while she was a very patient person, eventually even she would get angry if you pushed hard enough. Now Luisa was waiting. Waiting for Isabela to repeat the lie. Her look was telling, and Isabela looked again at the thorns that were once again evident. Again, she forced them to retract, but was finding this harder to do with each incident.

Luisa noticed her struggle and her face softened, and she hugged her sister as she said, "We can talk about that later, and we will talk about that later." Luisa let her go and after a brief awkward silence asked, "So, why do you think Abuela wants you to go to the meeting early?"

Isabela, grateful for the change of topic, replied, "Don't know, the first I heard about it was when she asked me at breakfast. Maybe it was because she used to take me to those things…most boring thing she ever asked me to do."

Luisa nodded, but from her expression she must have a few ideas, but instead asked, "Have you made any decisions about what jobs you're going to take?"

"Probably all of them. Most of them are pretty simple flower arrangements. Nothing challenging, for sure, so none of them will be difficult. What about you?"

"I do not know. Likely just the ones related to the windmill project and the ones requested by the elderly. Everything else are things they can either do themselves or, based on what Antonio said, shouldn't be done at all. I also wasn't expecting so many issues with my Gift, hopefully, my stamina will improve quickly."

"You know, maybe it's a sign you should focus more on being a vet. I mean, if you can get to Bogotá by going through that door in the tower, possibly you can do a little of both."

"Gosh, I really hope so," Luisa said wistfully.

Issa smiled at her sister's tone. Luisa's goals were something of which she was envious. Isabela had no goals, no plans for the future. Everything she had been told she was good for, had turned out to be a lie. There was another knock and Casita opened the door and Isabela was not pleased to see it was her Abuela. She did not just come in as she would have in the past. She waited and Issa just stared until Luisa nudged her from behind. "Come in, Abuela," Isabela finally said.

She did and Luisa went to excuse herself, but her Abuela asked her to stay, since what she had to say concerned them both. The two sisters looked nervously at one another and sat on the bed. Isabela filled in her vine sleeve with leaves to hide the newer scratches, that were bleeding a little. Casita pushed the desk chair over and Abuela sat down.

Isabela was staring past her Abuela, refusing to look her in the face. She waited for the scolding she was sure was coming, but why pull Luisa into it. She had not done anything. Probably going to convince her she needed to do more training to improve her Gift.

Her Abuela did not speak right away, instead she was watching Isabela, and this only served to make Isabela angry. After a few moments, her Abuela turned to Luisa and said, "To start, Luisa, now that we know that the red door in the tower does, in fact, go to Bogotá, I'm hopeful we'll be able to get you registered for school as soon as possible. Though the coming and going through the Church may prove to be a problem."

Luisa smiled despite her obvious concern. She had already gotten her hopes up once, only to have them crushed.

"However," her Abuela continued, "that leads to the bigger issue, finding a place for you to live if there are no dormitories for women. That's where I was hoping you would come into this, Isabela. There was, and possibly still is, a botany program at the college. I know you have an interest in such things, that way your sister would not be in a strange city by herself. The world has changed so much on the outside, from what we've learned from the newcomers, that it would be advantageous for both of you. I used to have family in Bogotá, of course I do not know if they still live there, but I am willing to find out if it helps get you both where you need to be. I have not spoken with your parents about this yet, though I am hopeful that the both of you will be able to take advantage of this once we've dealt with the current situation."

Isabela was confused. None of what her Abuela just said had anything to do with their Gifts. Maybe Luisa was right about the change and though she saw the logic of them both going, she was struck by a nasty thought and could not stop it coming out of her mouth. "You aren't just trying to get me away from Mirabel, right?"

Her Abuela looked surprised at the question, but after a moment she said firmly, "No, but I do understand your concerns, Isabela."

"Then what about that door in Mirabel's room? Why did you ask for that? Is it, so you can watch her all the time? Keep her in line?"

Her Abuela listened to each question but did not interrupt and said when Issa stopped, "I did not request that door, and it took me a few days to puzzle out its purpose. I was told recently that it was your mother who did. It appears she also has similar concerns," her Abuela said with a small smile. "Nevertheless, it has turned out to be a blessing I was not looking for, and it is helping me make better decisions to make sure nothing like that happens."

"I am gonna go now," Luisa said. Alma nodded, and Luisa started for the door. "We can talk about the other stuff later."

Isabela did not respond, so Luisa stepped out. Isabela really did not want to have this talk with her Abuela. Better to be angry, but the longer she put it off, the worse she felt about all the mean things she had done of late. She did not fully understand how her sister was so easily able to forgive the many sins of Alma Madrigal. She did not quite understand why she, herself, wanted to be able to, too. She was no longer sure of her motivations, and again felt the pain of the thorns in her arms. She closed her eyes, forcing them back with the tears that threatened to come tumbling out.

She felt her Abuela move next to her on the bed, and Isabela felt a gentle hand on her arm. The leaves she grew to cover the scratches wilted and Abuela said softly, "Isabela, I see the harm that I've caused by trying to live a dream I lost through you. I can only apologize for the past and I know I cannot change it, but most importantly I want you to know that I have never seen you as a failure, mi vida. Before and most especially, not after the breaking. You are as precious to me now as ever, and I know why Mirabel relies on you. She sees you more clearly than I. My reason for asking you to come early is because you are more experienced with the townsfolk than your hermanita. I know you will be able to help guide her better than I."

Isabela did not respond or open her eyes. She just couldn't look at her Abuela at that moment. Isabela would break down for sure, so she remained motionless and silent as she felt her Abuela get up and heard her as she moved slowly toward the door. There was a pause and her Abuela said before leaving, "This past year, I have watched you and I see that you are so much more than I ever allowed you to be. Something I regret with my whole heart, mi vida. My hope, is that you'll allow me to get to know this new woman you have become."

Isabela heard the door close, and she finally looked up. Tears slipped down her face, and Issa had to admit, Luisa was right. Not only was she trying too hard to maintain her righteous anger, but she was also, once again, perversely jealous of her Giftless little sister. What is wrong with me, she wondered. There were times she woke up in the middle of the night as her memories of her less than sisterly treatment of Mirabel rushed through her head. This always led to her overcompensating the next day because she really was convinced that her sister had not, in fact, forgiven her but was playing a game. But like her Abuela Valentina said, Mirabel really was a transparent person. What you saw was what you got. What do you see in me, Mirabel, Isabela wondered?

She flopped back on her bed and was staring at nothing until something small and blue, flitted at the edge of her sight. She tried to focus on it, and she saw it again. It was a butterfly, she realized, and it was not alone in the canopy of trees above her. There were dozens and dozens of them. She watched, entranced, as they alternately shown bright blue then seemed to disappear into the shadows.

She reached out as one broke away and gently came to rest on her outstretched fingers. It was considerable, at least 17 cm with its wings outstretched. This weirdly reminded her of that door in Mirabel's room, and she smiled. So, it was her mother who had been the one to ask for that door. Protecting Mirabel from her Abuela had been her main motivation these past few weeks, whether Mirabel wanted her too or not. She could see her efforts had been misdirected. It had not actually occurred to her to ask Dolores, and that probably meant her prima had told their Abuela what she had said on that topic. Isabela tried to muster anger, but she knew Dolores, like Luisa, was concerned about her. That made her feel a bit more at ease, knowing she did not need to be a one-woman army. Her mother as well had been dropping hints about her behavior of late. But she had been so focused on her 'mission' she did not notice that her mother and probably their father had already seen the potential problems.

Isabela marveled once again at the room Casita had made for her. The last had felt like a flower lined prison. Now she was surrounded by living plants, not just millions of flowers. She thought back to the feeling she had when she first grabbed that doorknob when she was five. Such a feeling of exhilaration and when she had opened that door and gone inside for the first time was something she would never forget. Something Mirabel only just got to experience. I am a fool, she thought.

Isabela sat up, and the butterfly flitted over and landed on her head. She thought back to the previous evening and asked. Casita, what happened last night?" The house responded by creaking the shutters, and Isabela asked, "How bad was it?"

There was a longer response, and Issa started to realize just how deep Mirabel's fears of Casita falling were. Why she froze up at seemingly random times. That was why the house intervened as it did. It told Isabela about the 'prank' gone wrong, and she remembered then what Dolores had told her. How when Mirabel came back to her room with those sketches she had tried to pretend that never happened, but Dolores had heard it all. And here she was being a crappy sister.

"Casita, thank you for stopping me from making a complete idiot of myself, I know you were only trying to help Mira," Isabela said getting up.

Casita rustled some vines growing on the wall, and the wave had her focusing on a corner that had a small wardrobe. She walked across the mossy flagstones, opened it, and smiled. Inside were a pair of deep lavender trousers with a shirt of similar color that looked much like the one her father had made for Tío Bruno. There was a leather belt with a pink bow and small letter attached.

She touched the shirt and pants, then took the belt down and detached the letter. On the front, it read: For Isabee. It was her father's handwriting, and Isabela took all the clothes and went back to her bed. She laid them out and carefully opened the letter.

Isabee,

A few weeks ago, I overheard you and your sisters talking about making pants and thought I would make you a pair. Mirabel will probably wonder where all of her notes went when she finds time to look for them. Besides, you likely wanted them sooner and not later.

When you were little, you and I always talked about your day. Watching you discover your world always brought me endless joy and though years have passed and though it's not every day, I'm glad to hear your voice.

You are my little flower, busy as a little bee, bringing sunshine after a rain. Beautiful and capable, you have always been my bright beacon of hope, Corazón, and few love their daughters, the way I love you.

Your ever adoring Papí

Isabela read the letter several times before she put it back in its envelope and under her pillow. When they were growing up, she often felt her father favored Luisa or Mirabel over her, but in hindsight she knew he never pulled away from her, it had been the other way around. She stroked the fabric and was amazed at how soft it was. She stripped off her dress and looked at it. She loved that dress and all the changes she'd made to it. But it also represented a past she wanted to avoid returning to.

She tried on the shirt first. The scratches, while not deep, had not completely stopped bleeding, and she decided she would see her mother about that. Wouldn't do to get blood all over her new shirt. That also meant she would need to explain how she had gotten them, and being angry all the time was something she did not wish to continue. As always, her father's clothing fit her perfectly. She looked in the mirror and thought, she'd finally shed the last of her old skin and asked, "Casita, where's Papí?"

There was a quick clatter and Isabela walked around her room getting used to the feel of them. She tucked in the shirt and put the belt in place. After putting on her shoes, she looked in the mirror again and noticed her hair. She had never considered cutting it, but she'd probably regret that decision so put it out of her head for now.

Isabela left her room, feeling as if she were someone new. Someone who could believe in herself. Maybe going to college would be just what she needed to do to find out whom she wanted to be. She went up to the library and her father was sitting reading a book about herbs and their many uses. He turned as she approached, and smiled.

"Ah, you found them mi vida," he said and set the book on the table next to him.

Isabela twirled once and nodded. She noted he was missing his flower from his vest, and she said, "I did, thanks Papí. They fit perfectly too." Isabela sat on the ottoman and gently touched his lapel. The flower that sprouted was not the usual one she made for this. Instead, she made a blue petaled daisy, and said, "For a new beginning."

The wall clock chimed, and Isabela rolled her eyes and sighed as she got up. "Time for that meeting." She said and went to head for the stairs but stopped. She turned back as her father rose from his chair and said, "Umm, if you're not doing anything later, maybe we can have lunch and drag Mamá along, there are some things I want to talk about."

Her father nodded, gave her a hug, and said, "I would like that, Isabela." He looked down at the flower and smiled as he said, "Yes, a new beginning."

Isabela waved as she started down the stairs, feeling better than she had for a while. That is, until she ran smack into Mirabel on the landing. Mirabel suddenly overbalanced, landed hard on her back, knocking her glasses off. Isabela fell back but did not lose her footing. Mirabel groaned and sat up and said, "Oh my gosh, Issa, are you okay?"

"You're the one on the floor," Isabela said as she picked up her sister's glasses and helped her up, "I'm fine, how are you?"

Mirabel put her glasses back on and said, "I'm ok…oh wow…" Mirabel was walking all around her to look at the new outfit.

"I know, right?"

"You look stunning, as usual. I'm sorry I did not get yours done faster."

"You've been busy."

"And about this morning, I did not mean to get angry," Mirabel said as Isabela watched her sister start to shrink in on herself, hands balled up in front of her, fear creeping in saying, "I'm sorry about-"

Isabela cut her off saying, "Don't you dare apologize, Mirabel Madrigal."

"But I…"

"But nothing, you had every right to get angry. I was being rude and stupid. I'm lucky Casita didn't throw me out a window."

Mirabel relaxed and tried not to smile. She nodded because she knew this was as close to an apology as Isabela could manage. "Oh, Tío and Abuela have already left. Abuela sent me to find you."

"Yeah, we should go, but I need to talk to Mamá for a minute."

They walked into the kitchen and saw that their mother and Tía were at the table, drinking tea. Her mother smiled seeing the new clothes and Tía Pepa was sitting with her mouth hanging open.

"You two should get a move on, or you'll be late," her mother said.

"We are going, I just got some scratches that need to be healed first," Issa said and rolled up her sleeves.

Her mother had come around the table and gently traced the cuts. Isabela was surprised that she did not ask that obvious question as she reached for the small plate of cookies on the table. Her mother took one and handed it to her, and Isabela ate it.

The scratches and cuts disappeared, and Isabel said, "Thanks, Mamá. Probably gonna lay off the vine sleeves for a while."

Her mother smiled, and nodded. Isabela smiled when her mother smoothed her hair behind her ear and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Her mother always seemed to understand what Isabela was trying to say without actually making her say it.

"You ready Mira?"

"No, but you'll be with me, so hopefully I won't make a complete fool of myself in front of the whole town."

Isabela laughed as she turned her sister toward the door, giving her a gentle shove, "That's the spirit Hermanita."