Someone Like Her...

Luisa looked at herself in the mirror and adjusted her shirt one last time before leaving her room to head into town. After leaving Isabela, she spent some time training and felt pretty good. Mostly she'd gone swimming at the beach, but it was always better with more people. She'd brought her sisters and cousins in while they were stuck at home, and it was good to see them all having fun playing around in the sand, learning to play volleyball. Casita was so quiet with half the family out, and she wondered if her mother had left yet. Heading toward the stairs, she noticed Mirabel's door was open, so she went by it to see why. She didn't see anyone so reached in and was about to close it when she heard Dolores say, "Please leave it open, Luisa."

"Oh, sorry Doli. Didn't know you were in here," Luisa said and came in all the way. She stopped where she was and stood, uncertain if she should ask her prima the question that was eating away at her brain.

"Is there something I can help you with, Luisa?" Dolores asked.

Luisa just had to know and though she felt weird asking this, she knew she'd never get a straight answer from Isabela. "Actually, Dolores," Luisa said sitting on the sofa, "did you happen to hear any of Abuela and Issa's conversation…" Luisa stopped when her prima frowned. "I'm sorry Dolores, I shouldn't have asked you that. None of my business, really. I'm just worried about Issa." She got up then and started back toward the door, and Dolores said, "I've been worried too. And no, I did not hear all of it since I was focusing on this, but I think Isabela is going to be; better."

Luisa heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Thanks, Doli, that takes a load off my mind." She reached the door and Dolores let out a squeak. Everyone in the family knew what that squeak meant, so Luisa turned back and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"No," but then sighed and Dolores added, "I'm not sure, maybe." She removed her fingers from the map and closed her eyes. Luisa was familiar enough with Dolores's Gift to know that meant she was focusing on several people at once. Were the mountain people closer than they thought? When Dolores opened her eyes, she looked thoughtful then asked, "Luisa, do you know Bubo Márquez?"

"Kind of? I've only talked to him once. Mirabel introduced him to me. He's one of the newcomers, from Bogotá, but I don't know much else about him other than he likes to collect bugs."

"Really? That's interesting," Dolores said, and she did a quick double take. "Those pants look wonderful on you, Luisa. The color really suits you. Are those the ones Mirabel made for you?"

Luisa blushed and nodded. "You don't think Abuela will freak out, do you?"

"You mean that wasn't the idea in the first place?" Dolores asked with a short laugh.

"Yeah, I see your point," Luisa replied with a smile. Dolores, in general, was never this chatty with her, so Luisa returned to the sofa and said, "I asked Mirabel to make them, so I could have more practical clothes to wear when I'll be learning to do vet things. Since that's on hold for now, I figured I should get used to them. See if I like them well enough to wear them all day."

"They look really comfortable," Dolores said, smiling, "Maybe I'll get a pair and freak Mariano out."

Luisa laughed a little and asked, "Have you two set a date yet?"

"Officially, no. Mariano is still learning to deal with… all this," she said and waved at Casita. Casita clattered the tiles near the window and Dolores rolled her eyes. Luisa felt a pang of jealousy in that moment. She'd never actually learned to understand Casita on any real level. She suspected Isabela knew more than she let on, but Luisa had always been too busy being the strongest of the Madrigal's to spend time learning that.

Dolores caught her expression and said, "Casita says I'm just stalling."

"Are you?"

Dolores smiled and said, "Yes. I mean, I do want to get married, but a part of me thinks that maybe Mariano doesn't really want to get married yet."

"He sure seemed ready a year ago."

"Yeah, he's such a romantic," Dolores said with a smile, and Luisa realized that small smile on Dolores's face mirrored the one on her door. "He had it all worked out in his head, how everything should go. Or at least that was what he told himself."

"Wait, are you saying he didn't want to get married?"

Dolores touched the broach on her throat, then folded her hands up in her lap and said, "This can't leave this room."

Luisa nodded and went over and closed the door. Once she returned to her seat on the sofa, Dolores said, "Mariano Guzmán has always been totally in love with the idea of being in love and getting married, still kind of is. A lot of the poems and songs he wrote before the breaking were about that. But in the weeks leading up to the proposal dinner, I would listen to him as he talked to his Mamí about it. Mariano had doubts and could tell Isabela was not all in for it either. He mentioned his doubts to his mother who said, Isabela would grow to love him, and he, her, but it still took him weeks to finally agree to propose as his mother wanted. So just like Issa, he was doing it for his family. Maybe they would have been alright. I know Mariano would have worked tirelessly to win over Issa, but I don't think either of them would have been truly happy. You know, like our parents are."

"Wow, never thought of it from Mariano's side of it. And it must have been awful for you. To know all that and not be able to say anything."

"Not gonna lie," Dolores said in a sad voice, "it was pretty awful. Even now, I feel guilty because I knew how Mariano and Isabela felt, but I did nothing to help them. Just stayed wrapped up in my own selfish little world… Wishing it could be different."

Luisa nodded, "Yeah, I can't say I was much better."

"When Mirabel was poking around and asking questions about Tío Bruno, I kind of let it slip out about the vision he gave me, I never used his name, but Mirabel seemed to know who I was pining for," Dolores said.

"That happens a lot around her, I've noticed," Luisa said, nodding.

"I was also feeling extra melodramatic, so when I overheard your dad and Mirabel talking in her room. The fact that Mira had shown up in Tío Bruno's vision made my anxiety skyrocket. Partly because I knew that after that night, Mariano would marry Isabela and I would just have to sit and watch it happen. Partly because as much as I wished my Gift would just stop, I didn't want that." Dolores sighed and let out a small yawn.

"I tell ya what, if she hadn't seen those cracks in Casita that night, who knows where it would have all ended?"

"I believe Casita would have fallen regardless, but with all of us in it," Dolores said, and after letting out a bigger yawn added, "An almost fitting end to it all."

"That's dark, Dolores."

"Yeah, a testament to just how hopeless I felt at the time. Personally, I don't know how Mirabel survived with her heart intact. The closer it got to Antonio's birthday… the more Abuela would pick at your sister and push her aside. Isabela was turning into a mini abuela, talking herself into a marriage she did not want. You were just working yourself to death." Dolores paused when she saw Luisa's expression, "You were, but I think the thing that hurt Mirabel the most was the loss of her big sisters to a miracle that found her wanting and the magic she would never have. You know, she used to sit on the roof and watch you and Isabela in town, talking to Casita about her future away from our family."

"Mirabel was going to leave?"

"She didn't want to, but let's face it, why stay?"

Luisa felt a moment of actual anger, but realized just as quickly that Dolores was right. Still, "Why tell me all this now?" Luisa asked.

"Because our family's been given a chance for a new beginning with the magic and as the saying goes, know your past mistakes, or you'll be doomed to repeat them. I used to hear everything but did nothing. I can't do that anymore. I won't do that anymore. I think that's what is motivating Abuela now. She's seen how things went wrong and is working to make better choices this time."

Luisa got up and gave Dolores a gentle hug, "Thanks for telling me all that." She released her and then said to break the silence, "So, you're coming to the meeting?"

Dolores tilted her head and smiled. "Yes. Tío says I shouldn't spend my whole day sitting on the floor listening to the crazy. I should come see it for myself."

"Ain't that the truth." Luisa said with a smirk, "I'm glad you're coming, I didn't want to wander in there by myself."

They came out of Mirabel's room and were met by Tío Félix, who asked, "Off to the meeting?"

"Yes, Papí," Dolores responded. "Are you coming?"

"No, I'm staying here with Antonio and Paola. There should be at least one adult hanging about, just in case."

"Oh, then Camilo changed his mind about going?" Dolores asked.

"Not exactly," her Tío said, and his eyes shifted toward Camilo's door. Camilo came out of his room and looked around as he shut the door behind him. He spied them and tried to go back into his room and found his door would not open. There was a growl as he made to kick the door, but Casita bounced tiles under him until he ended up next to his sister and prima.

"Son," his father said this with a slight chuckle, "thought you'd at least remember rule number one. Never kick Casita."

Camilo said nothing. Just stood there looking sullen.

"Your mothers just left, and you should get going, I'm off to check on the kids," Tío Félix said and walked away toward Antonio's room.

Dolores said, "I'll be right back, just need to grab some ear plugs."

She moved away and Luisa asked, "You okay Camilo? You look a little pale."

"Yeah," he said.

"Studying going, okay?"

"Mostly, having a time focusing, though."

"Yeah, we have plenty of distractions on our plate right now."

Camilo nodded and shifted from himself to his sister, then back to himself. Camilo twisted his shoulders, and it happened again, only this time he shifted into Mirabel. Luisa remembered the months after Camilo first got his Gift, this would happen a lot. Especially if he'd overextended himself the previous day. This was probably why he was having issues studying. Or maybe it was just nerves. Luisa didn't know how much responsibility Abuela was going to drop on Mirabel at the meeting. Hopefully, she was only there to watch. Hopefully, Issa wasn't going to do anything crazy. When Camilo shifted again, Luisa put a hand on his shoulder and asked, "Camilo, did you mean for that to happen?"

"What to happen?"

"You just shifted from yourself to someone else, then back to you… three times in a row."

"Shit."

"Probably just nerves, and hey, at least you can stay awake after using your Gift."

"Maybe… This is why I didn't want to go out. Started after breakfast, though I was hoping I'd have it under control by now."

"I know how you feel, I'm going to have to be seriously picky about what I choose to do and when. Well, hopefully Abuela really does have our backs, when we say no to whatever the townsfolk request."

"Just remember to say no, Lu."

Luisa smiled, "Yeah, I've been reminded four times this morning. Gonna have to get used to that too."

"So what's up with Mirabel and Isabela? I mean, breakfast was a mess."

"That's more of an Issa problem than a Mira problem."

"Really?"

"You don't agree?"

He shrugged and Luisa asked, "So as long as we're on that topic. I know it's Casita related, but what do you think is making Mirabel so jumpy?"

Camilo straightened, shifted to Isabela then back and said, "Oh, that's an easy one. She's afraid that if she can't keep us all 'happy' Casita will collapse again."

"What? Really? But no one is happy all the time."

"I didn't say it was reasonable, but haven't you noticed how hard she's trying to keep a lid on her anger? She used to just let it all out, instead it's spilling into Casita, and she's back to doing what she used to before Casita fell."

Luisa had to admit, she did not know what that was. Mirabel's quirks tended to be a mystery to her. Back before the breaking, Luisa had been so wrapped up in her chores, she barely noticed what her younger sister was doing. Didn't see her own little sister's growing isolation from their family. Didn't see her frustration or her pain at being left out of things. Luisa nodded and thought back to those last hectic days before Antonio's Gift ceremony. She wanted to believe she had done an okay job of looking out for her sister, but then, she'd never looked at it from Mirabel's perspective until she too was Giftless. Even now, she never questioned that Mirabel was happy.

Mirabel had worked tirelessly to get Casita rebuilt, always reminding Luisa that even if she wasn't super strong anymore, she was loved and valued, just as she was. Even today, she was more concerned about Isabela's issues than her own reaction to it. Mirabel was always quick to gloss over the family's past wrongs in favor of a happier ending. Luisa sighed, as another question she didn't want to ask was right there yelling at her to spit it out. "Camilo, what is it that you think Mirabel is doing?"

Camilo paused and realized what Luisa was asking and said, "More like what isn't Mirabel doing."

"Huh?"

"She's burying herself in projects," he said, indicating the pants Luisa was wearing. "She's back to doing for everyone but herself, bottling up her unhappiness, acting like everything is fine, sound familiar?"

Luisa nodded, then asked, "But what about the costumes for your play?"

"Yeah, I asked before I knew how much Abuela was going to push at her. The Ramirez twins came by earlier, and I never thought she'd forget since those two have been friend with her since she started school. Anyway, they saw Mira and Isabela heading for the meeting and Mira was so intent on what Isa was saying she didn't notice them. The twins figured Mira must have forgotten they were coming over today because of the rescheduled meeting. They didn't know about all the shenanigans last night. They still wanted to help and asked if Mira had left anything for them."

"Did she?" Luisa asked.

"No, but Dolores warned me the twins were coming and why, so I gathered up the stuff and gave them Mira's notes and the material too. Probably be bad if they thought she'd completely forgotten. They said they could handle most of it from there and would bring them back for Mirabel to finish up and inspect. I wonder when she'll remember," he said and laughed a little.

Luisa chuckled, too, since she knew how much of a control freak Mirabel could be. Dolores returned then, so the three of them left Casita to head for the Church. They spotted their mothers a short way ahead and all three called to them. Their mothers stopped and waited for the kids to catch up, and together they headed into town.

There were a lot more people in the Church than Luisa expected, and almost every seat would likely be taken, she spotted her sisters near the front with their Abuela and father talking to Señor Flores. Tío Bruno was nowhere to be seen. Isabela, to her surprise, was also wearing pants, and Luisa wondered if Mirabel had made those as well. If she did then, seriously, when did that girl sleep? They looked good though, but the color was different from the one Isabela had talked about. The Priest, looked up when there was a general uptick in the number of people talking and seeing the new arrivals, waved to someone, and they heard the bell toll twice and people started finding seats.

Dolores uncovered her ears and sighed as they made their way to the front. Camilo stayed with his mother, and she gave him a sympathetic look and patted his back when he shifted from himself to his father then back again. Dolores went to sit with Señora Guzmán who was off by herself since Mariano was speaking with someone off to the side that she did not immediately recognize. He barely came up to Mariano's shoulder, but Mariano was clearly interested in what he was talking about, since he was leaning in to listen. Luisa's attention was drawn away when her father came over and guided her and her mother to a nearby pew. They were shortly joined by Issa and Mirabel and her father seem to notice her growing anxiety because he hugged her and said in a low voice, "Luisa, remember we fully support you with whatever you choose to do or not do."

Luisa nodded, and she sat down next to Mirabel, feeling just a little more hopeful.

Alma stood off to the side with old Arturo and listened as the priest, Señor Flores, explained the format of the meeting. After the initial greeting, prayers and introductions, he turned the floor over to Arturo, who listed the topics that would be open for discussion. Someone asked about the task lists, and Arturo explained that only some of the requests had been accepted. This caused a murmur to run through the crowd, but the old man was undeterred. He began by reminding the gathering that the Madrigal Family had, for many years, put all of their personal goals to the side to support their community. Times have changed, and those goals were now the family's priority. The murmurs increased, and Alma's eyes flicked up to the choir loft. Bruno was there watching the people, no expression on his face. Just watching. Alma knew Bruno had no desire to be in a room full of potentially angry people, but he stayed just the same and would tell her what he saw. Pepa was distracting Camilo, likely with some bad jokes, since he was smiling. He'd been randomly shifting since he arrived, which meant he was either overtired or just nervous about where all this was going. Camilo had had a few requests, most related to his play that he was working on, and he told her while he didn't need more actors, he would need backstage help, so he would speak with the parents and kids about that.

Alma glanced over at Dolores, she had her eyes closed, so Alma guessed she was listening and sorting the voices all around her. Dolores already looked tired and had a grip on Sylvia Guzmán's hand since Mariano was speaking with Señor Márquez. She'd spent a great deal of time this morning in Mirabel's room, and it was good to see Dolores was getting support from her soon to be mother-in-law. Before the breaking, Alma knew Sylvia did not have a full appreciation of how taxing the Madrigal's Gifts were to her family prior to Mariano dating Dolores. No one did. Alma had never allowed her children or grandchildren to show that sort of weakness. She'd somehow forgotten they were only human. Sylvia confided she once thought them to be inexhaustible, and said she felt guilty for all the times she made requests of them for things she could have easily done for herself. Isabela's interactions with Mariano had been more limited than Alma realized because Issa had gone out of her way to not spend actual time with Mariano. Dolores, however, spent all her spare time with him, and Sylvia noticed this and mentioned it to Alma. Sylvia's own parents had arranged her marriage, and she realized that it had warped her view of what a normal relationship should be. Her mind had been changed after watching Mariano and Dolores together.

Alma looked to where Mariano was standing. He was looking where Isabela and Mirabel were sitting. He had a small smile on his face that Señor Márquez did not notice. Mirabel, she noted, was slowly shrinking into her seat until Isabela leaned in and said something that made her sister sit up and nod. Yes, having Issa here to help Mirabel was definitely the right decision, and she hoped Issa would be able to continue in that role for as long as possible. She sighed inwardly when she noted Luisa looked anxious. Her back was straight, almost as if expecting a betrayal. Luisa said she did not fully trust her, that was painful to hear but brought home to Alma that her resolve must remain strong, and she must abide by the decisions her family had made. Then it was her turn to take the stage, and she nodded to Arturo and thanked him and someone in the back immediately shouted, "Why not all, Doña Madrigal?"

Alma had been expecting this, so kept her tone even. After fifty odd years she knew exactly how to say what needed to be said, and she answered firmly, "Because no one was expecting the magic to return. That it did, is of course, a blessing for my family and this community. However, as many of you are aware, mine and Pedro's children and grandchildren have been making plans this past year and I fully support them in these endeavors. Nor will I ask or require that they be set aside. Therefore, you should not expect every task to be accepted. There are only so many hours in the day, and the ones that have been taken will be completed as they fit into their respective schedules. I thank you all for your patience and understanding while we have worked through this challenge, but that is all I plan to say on that topic."

Alma waited for any response. There was none, so she continued, repeating what Arturo already told them. "The list of accepted tasks has already been posted in the vestibule. If you feel your request should have been taken, but was not, you can bring that either to myself or any other council member, privately, for further explanation as to why. I would also ask that future requests be brought to the council for review. An updated listing will be posted when it is available."

Alma stepped down after introducing Dr. González. He came forward and discussion began regarding the prospect of increasing the watch to the mountains behind Casita. He brought up Señor Márquez and the others of his group to share what they had encountered (or not encountered) at the river. Mirabel appeared to be paying close attention to them, or perhaps she was thinking about the best way to deal with the folks on the mountain. Alma had asked Mirabel to think on that. It was decided by the council that there should be no mention made of the mountain people until they had decided on a way to proceed. That and there were too many here already to try to keep any kind of order. Frightened people do irrational things. Alma knew this from personal experience. The council decided that once the rest of the Madrigal family was there, they would work out how they would confront both groups. Señor Márquez volunteered to be a part of the party that would head for the larger group since he was sure the leader was his Tío, and he may have an easier time convincing him to leave off his pursuit. The group with the children would need to be handled with care, but either way, those children would be off the mountain by the end of today.

There were several questions asked, and the Doctor and Señor Márquez answered them all as best they could. This part ended with the Doctor mentioning a signup sheet had been placed on the back table for anyone who would also like to take part in those patrols.

Last to speak was Agustín. He was there to discuss the building collapse the prior day and what had been discovered so far. Félix would normally handle this, but he was at home with Antonio and Paola. Agustín was asked several questions as to the cause, and he answered them just short of telling them it had been intentional. He finished up by reminding parents to make sure to tell their children to stay away from the new construction. Incomplete houses were too dangerous a place to play.

There were more murmurs from some, but the majority of folks were nodding in agreement. The rest of the meeting was uneventful. Alma watched the people and while most seemed to be fine with what had been said, she knew there would be difficulties. Primarily tied to Bruno, but she had no intention of making him provide fortunes for anyone unless he wanted to do them, which right now he did not. He'd carefully read the requests over and stated that only one of them were things that needed to be known. Since he had rejected all but one, Bruno said he would contact the person himself.

Señor Flores made an additional announcement about the gathering of funds to send the Encanto's adult children to Bogotá, as several inquiries had been made about attending school there. A time was set for a meeting regarding that as well as the windmill project. Señor Flores then closed the meeting with a prayer and people began filing out of the Church, but several were lingering near the door, either reading the task lists or speaking with family and spouses about the watch. Alma hoped it had more to do with actually wanting to participate than with Mirabel being in there.

Once the Church was empty, Bruno appeared next to Pepa, and they were talking quietly until Bruno raised a hand as well as his hood and sat very still for a long moment. Pepa's cloud deepened some, but it was just a cloud, no rain, and she put her hand on his and gave it a squeeze. Bruno moved then and pulled a small bottle out of his pocket and took a long drink. Julieta watched but did not move closer. She was sitting with Agustín, holding a small bundle that had been given to her by Agustín's mother. Agustín's parents as well as Félix's remained at Alma's request. Camilo was now talking to his Abuelo Juan Pedro, eating some cookies his Abuela Esteffi had brought for him.

Luisa looked much calmer than when she arrived, and that made Alma happy. She was smiling and talking to her parents. Isabela stayed with Mirabel when her sister got up to talk to Señor Marquez and the Doctor, who were already talking to Dolores and Mariano. That's when Alma realized Isabela and Luisa were both wearing pants. It was a fashion trend that she'd seen in some of the magazines brought to the Encanto by the newcomers. Julieta had mentioned something like this in passing and Alma had paid it little mind, but she was learning this was Julieta's way of giving her fair warning. Alma should know better than to pay little mind to anything her daughter said. Well, Alma had to admit that both of her nietas looked very nice. She realized her thoughts wanted to be critical, but she knew if that option had been there when she was her nietas age, she would have tried it for sure. Sylvia came over then and commented on the fashion choice, but could not decide if it was actually scandalous. Alma smiled at her friend and sighed as she thought, the world just keeps changing, but not always in a bad way.

When the meeting ended, Mirabel took a deep breath and turned to Luisa and said, "That went okay?"

"Better than I was expecting, that's for sure," Luisa said, "Thought Abuela would change her mind about…well, you know."

"You two are so full of drama," Isabela said, flicking her hair and putting the back of her hand on her forehead, and all three of them started laughing.

"I gotta ask Mamá something, so I'll see you in back," Luisa said and got up to join their mother who was speaking to their Abuela Valentina. Mirabel noticed her mother was now holding a bundle, Mirabel assumed were the girl clothes Paola had requested. That immediately made her think of Bubo's reaction to the sketch her Tío had made of her. Mirabel was very sure Bubo knew her from before he'd come to the Encanto.

As a group, everyone went to the meeting room at the rear of the Church. Señor Flores had extra chairs and tables brought in. He also had some lunch made since the meeting went on longer than expected. Pepa filled a plate and set it in front of Bruno, who looked up at her and scowled. She met his glare and raised him a cloud that thundered briefly. Tío Bruno picked up an empanada and took a bite as his sister sat next to him. Camilo and Mariano were not shy about getting as much on their plates as possible, then went and sat on either side of Dolores. Her prima waved off Mariano's offer of food, but Mirabel noticed earlier how tired her prima looked. Why was everyone in this family so stubborn? She put together a plate of Dolores's favorite fruits and cheeses, and Mira grabbed a glass of juice, which she then set in front of Dolores.

"You look like you need to eat," Mirabel said with an embarrassed shrug.

Dolores looked surprised for a moment, then she smiled at Mirabel, and Mariano mouthed 'thank you' to her as Dolores began to eat. Isabela was sitting with their parents, and she appeared to be doing all the talking. Her parent's expressions were amused, but Isabela did not seem to notice. Luisa sat down on the other side of Tío Bruno, eating a sandwich. Tino, who had vacated her Tío's pocket at the smell of food, was sitting on his lower arm. Luisa, gently pet the rat as she fed him bits of bread and cheese from her sandwich. All the older folks were sitting together discussing actual things, but Mira needed a break and noticed Bubo sitting off to the side by himself. Mirabel decided now was as good a time as any to ask him some questions. So, she made herself a plate and went over to where he was sitting. Mirabel pointed to the seat across from him, and he said, "Oh, please Señorita Madrigal, kindly sit."

Mirabel did and said, "Please, just call me Mirabel, the other just makes me nervous."

"Oh, I apologize sen-, I mean Mirabel."

Mirabel smiled as she sat down and ate some of her lunch. She noticed the boxes that were just visible in his vest pockets. This made her wonder what they were for and as was her habit she stopped eating and stared at one to try and figure it out.

Bubo must have noticed because he asked, "Mirabel, is everything okay?"

Mirabel started and blushed. "Sorry," she said adjusting her glasses, "I was just curious as to what might be in the boxes…" Mirabel pointed then noted the look on Bubo's face. It was a cross between shock and mortification. "I'm sorry, that's none of my business. Should not have asked that."

"No, no, you're fine. Most people don't," Bubo stopped, cleared his throat and pulled out one. The box's pictures made Mirabel think it had been a matchbox at one time. It was at least 6 cm long and 3 cm high. Bubo set it on the table, and it jiggled slightly when he took his hand away. "Found this one down by the river."

Mirabel wondered what could make a box that size jiggle and pulled back slightly, but smiled and asked, "Why is it moving?"

"I…uh, collect insects." Bubo said, "Wanna see?" he asked and tapped the box lightly.

Mirabel stared at the box, she really did want to see it, but at the same time she was a little afraid to. When she didn't answer, Bubo took that as a no and was lifting the box off the table, and Mirabel reached out and stopped him.

"No wait, I really do want to see it," Mirabel said pulling her hand back then she asked, "It won't bite?"

"Only if you're a tree or planning to eat it," Bubo responded reassuringly and slowly slid the box open. The beetle climbed out of the box and onto Bubo's finger. It was maybe 5 cm long, had tiny, feathered antennae, and its wing covers, which were most of its length, shimmered in the afternoon light coming through the nearby window. "This," Bubo said, a genuine smile lit up his face as the creature walked on the back of his hand, "is an Euchroma gigantea, a metallic wood borer. Some call it the giant metallic ceiba borer, is a species of beetle in the family buprestidae, the only species in the genus Euchroma."

Mirabel had no idea what he just said, but it was clear Bubo was quite taken with it. She wondered if Antonio could talk to bugs. Better question, did bugs talk? She held out her hand and Bubo turned his so the beetle could easily walk onto hers, and Mirabel smiled as it did so. "This is just so beautiful," she said and brought it closer to her face to look at it. "I used to collect beetles with my sister when I was a kid. Never anything this big, but she seemed to know where to find all the really cool ones on the plants in the back garden. I, personally, liked the smaller ones, always so shiny. This one's not too big," she said and offered the beetle back to Bubo. "Those huge ones," Mirabel said with a shiver, "those just scare me."

"I understand. When I was little, I used to be terrified of them, especially the titan beetle," Bubo said with a hint of excitement, "I changed my mind when my Abuelo explained how they make the soil fertile by breaking down the things that have died in the forest. That's why I was studying to be an entomologist."

"The study of bugs, right?"

"Insects," Bubo corrected, "When I left Bogotá, I was working on a study of the butterflies that are native to Colombia for my senior thesis."

"Oh, that sounds amazing," Mirabel said.

"It is," he paused, smile fading, and took the beetle from her. He set it on the open windowsill and watched as it immediately took off, and he said, "I hope one day to return there and finish my studies."

Mirabel watched Bubo stow away his sadness, but she felt like she needed to get a better idea of what was actually happening on the outside, so asked "Bubo, what happened in Bogotá that made you leave?"

Bubo hesitated for a long moment, then replied with just a hint of anger, "It wasn't just one thing. There was just too much… of everything. People so steeped in their politics and power, they forgot to be human to one another. Everyone just stopped listening."

Mirabel pushed her food around on her plate and said, "Well, I hope you get to go back there to do that. Do you think it's safe? I mean, my sisters were talking about attending school there."

"I can't really say. But I hope so, for their sakes."

They ate in silence, but Mirabel still had several questions tumbling about in her head. She wasn't sure how to bring up the subject of Paola. She noticed that Bubo was no longer paying attention to her, but rather was looking at someone behind her. Mira knew that someone was Isabela. It was almost funny, since Isabela did something similar when he'd first come to the town. One afternoon, they were headed back to their Abuelos house for lunch when Issa noticed him speaking to Abuela. Isabela made them stop under the great oak and said she was looking for someone then promptly disappeared. Luisa however wasn't in the mood to wait so she left Mirabel there telling her she could wait for Issa if she wanted to. That was why Mirabel knew Bubo's name. Ever curious and wandered over to where her Abuela was, and she introduced Bubo to her and explained that he was a new arrival that had come from Bogotá. Mirabel noted he was a little shorter than her, but it was the fact that he wore glasses the caught her attention. There really were not that many people in the Encanto that needed them. He was very direct when he spoke and that reminded her a little of her Tío Bruno. Looking around she noted Isabela was back and watching her from the tree. She rejoined her sister who asked the name of the person talking to Abuela. Mirabel told her but didn't think anything of it at the time.

Bubo continued to watch her sister, but Isabela tended to have that effect on most men. Still no accounting for taste. She thought then of Camilo and the Ramirez twins… Mirabel stopped in her thoughts; it was then she remembered she was supposed to be working on Camilo's costumes this morning with the twins. She let out a groan and sighed. "I'll be right back," Mirabel said and went over to the table Camilo was sitting at.

As she came near, he shifted to Bea, then Bri Ramirez, then back to himself. He knew why she was coming over, and he said, "It's handled, Mira. The twins stopped by, knew you were busy," he said this as he waved a hand at the gathering of people. "So, I gave them your notes and the material. Bri said they would handle it for you." Mirabel was frowning, so Camilo added, "You can't do it all, Mira, nor will I let you."

Mirabel rolled her eyes at her cousin and tried to scowl, but it quickly morphed into a smile when he shifted into a miniature Abuela, stood on the chair and said in her voice with a waggle of his finger, "Now go finish your lunch, Mirabel Madrigal."

"You are such a dork," Mirabel replied with a laugh.

"Maybe, but at least I'm not a workaholic," Camilo said and popped a buñuelo into his mouth.

While Mirabel felt like kicking him in the shins, she restrained herself as she went back to her seat, she heard Camilo say, "You're welcome!" and Mirabel plopped down heavily.

"Is something wrong?" Bubo asked.

Mirabel rubbed her forehead and said, "Nothing a good secretary couldn't fix." Bubo looked confused and Mirabel added, "Sorry, I forgot some friends of mine were coming over to Casita to help me with a project…" she hoped the sisters would not be mad at her for forgetting.

"I'm sure they understand you're busy with other things now," Bubo said.

"Maybe, but I was looking forward to spending some time with them," Mirabel said, "They've always been my friends even when…" Mirabel stopped and frowned, she still just couldn't say it.

Bubo looked thoughtful and said, "I don't think you're giving your friends enough credit, Mirabel."

"What do you mean?"

"They want to support you. I want to support you. When I came here, I was alone, with none of my family or friends there to make it any easier. The people I arrived with were ones I met and joined up with on the road because I thought I could help them. So many traumatized people. I'll be honest, I didn't know what to make of the stories I heard because there was no 'magic'. Just a family of extraordinary people whose house had collapsed. As I settled in, I realized the whole town was like that. I've never met a more giving group of people in my whole life, and the Madrigals were at the core of it. This place your family has helped build is… truly wondrous."

"Thanks, Bubo, but we really are just like everyone else."

He shrugged but it was clear he disagreed with that statement. Bubo looked past her again, and Mirabel chided herself for her earlier less than generous thoughts regarding his interest in her sister and said, "You know, Issa doesn't bite, seriously you should just talk to her."

Bubo blinked, realizing he was obviously staring, "I couldn't presume…"

Mirabel rolled her eyes as she pushed her plate aside. She folded her hands up on the table and said, "You should presume, Bubo. You seem like a nice guy, even if you don't think so. I think you and Issa may have more in common than you think."

"That is unlikely," he said, as he pushed aside his own plate, "I really don't think I'm someone she'd be interested in," Bubo said, drinking the last of whatever was in his glass.

"Why is that?" Mirabel asked.

"You've probably noticed I'm a bit on the short side."

"Okay, so what does that have to do with anything?"

"You want me to say it? Fine, I'm just not good enough for someone like her," Bubo said flatly.

Mirabel tilted her head as a thought came to her, and she said, "Someone like her?"

"Yes."

"But you've never talked to her, so how would you know that?" Mirabel asked as she thought back to the day when the candle went out and remembered her sister's desire to be just like everyone else. Wanting to be able to show her flaws and have people accept her just as she was. Issa in town was not who her sister wanted to be. Mirabel wondered then if maybe she was putting pressure on Isabela to be that person.

Bubo crossed his arms and shrugged. "That's just how these things work, Mirabel."

"Hate to say it, Bubo, but you're not only underestimating yourself, but you are also grossly underestimating my sister."

Mirabel heard a chair move behind her, and Bubo went very still. Isabela appeared next to her and put a hand on Mirabel's shoulder and asked, "Whatcha talkin about, hermanita?" her tone was similar to the one she used at breakfast, and Mirabel began to feel very nervous as Isabela sat down next to her. Mirabel wondered how much Isabela heard of what was said. From that calculating expression, good chance she'd heard it all.

Bubo had that shocked, mortified look on his face again, only this time he was also blushing, and Mirabel said, "Hey, Issa, Bubo was just telling me about his studies at college in Bogotá. Seems he was an entomology major."

"Really?" Isabela said and looked over at the stock still form of Bubo Marquéz and asked, "That sounds very interesting. It's the study of bugs, right?"

"Insects," Bubo corrected automatically.

"Insects," Isabela agreed with a small nod. She was smiling in that way Mirabel hated when she was younger. Bubo looked to Mirabel as if to say, you see? Isabela then asked, "Any particular kind?"

Bubo was still stuck in his wordless shock, so Mirabel answered, "He showed me a beetle he found near the river. It was really beautiful. It was almost as long as my finger…"

Issa turned back to Bubo and asked, "I'd like to see that too, do you still have it?"

Bubo could only swallow and shook his head. It was obvious that Isabela was about ready to give up on this conversation.

"We let it go, went out that window there," Mirabel said waving in that direction.

"Too bad," Isabela said, "What kind was it, Mirabel?"

"Sorry, Isa, I don't remember… Ummm, gigantic wood boarder…?"

Mirabel looked to the still silent Bubo for help. She stared hard at him, and he got the hint and Bubo said, "It was an Euchroma gigantea, a metallic wood borer."

Isabela's expression changed, she no longer had that, I'm gonna get you look. Instead she seemed to relax a little as she said, "Well, if you ever find another, I'd love to see it."

This was not going well, as Bubo seemed completely confused by this statement. While he'd had no trouble telling Mirabel about the beetle, he clearly had ideas in his head of who Isabela should be and what she should be interested in. Isa was trying very hard to be herself with someone outside of their family. Something she did not do often, and Bubo was not helping so Mirabel figured she'd try one last time and said, "You know Bubo was doing his senior thesis on the butterflies native to Colombia."

"Oh, that is fascinating. You know, I discovered this morning, I have these giant blue butterflies in my room," and Issa was using her hands to show how big they were.

Issa's hands were obviously way too far apart. This seemed to pull Bubo out of his silence because he blinked, and asked, "I'm sorry, but how big?"

"Like this," she said, then realized where her hands were, "Oooo, I mean more like this," and moved them closer together.

"What shade of blue?"

"Like a summer sky after a good long rain, very deep and they were quite shiny." Isabela said this as she looked out the window.

Bubo looked at Mirabel then and seemed amazed to realize he was having an actual conversation with her sister. Mirabel gently kicked him under the table and Bubo asked, "Did it have brown on the underside? With white spots, black rings?"

"Yes," Isabela said, turning back as she leaned in and added, "they looked like tiny eyeballs."

"Sounds like a blue morpho," Bubo said, and then asked, "Wait, why would you have butterflies in your room?"

Mirabel snickered and Isabela smiled. They both realized that Bubo had no context for that statement, and Isabela said, "Let's just say I have a lot of space in there."

Mirabel could tell this was not a conversation she wanted to hear and went to get up. She picked up her plate, and Isabela put a hand on her arm and said, "Where do you think you're going? Eat your lunch, or we'll never finish this meeting."

Mirabel sighed, sat back, picked up her fork and vigorously stabbed a hunk of cheese she decided looked like a cactus.

Once lunch was done, everyone except Tío Bruno gathered around the largest table that had a large map of the Encanto laid out upon it. Dolores was setting small game pieces in the areas she'd last seen the groups of folks on the mountain. It caused quite a stir when Abuela announced that she would be going with the party that was meeting up with the women with the children and that Julieta, Pepa, Isabela and Luisa would be going with her. Mirabel noted her father had said little, but his look of concern was evident. Mirabel wanted to go as well but knew she needed to stay with Paola and help with the kids once they returned to Casita, she'd have help from her Abuela Valentina and Abuela Esteffi who would also be there.

The group that was going out to meet the larger group would leave first thing in the morning, led by Old Arturo, and would include the Doctor, Bubo, Camilo and several of the men who had been watching the river. Dolores would be watching the map in Mirabel's room to let either know if a group on the mountain changed direction. Félix, Agustín and their fathers were tasked with rounding up Fernando.

Plans decided the meeting broke up and everyone dispersed back into town.