Anyway on with the stuff. In this episode, Tuli discovers that with stillness comes the past. Camilo is very good at reading the room, Mirabel is suspicious, Bruno apparently really likes cheese. Who knew?

El Dolor de Recordar (the pain of remembering)

Tíos

"É suficiente!"

Tuli jumped as Bubo's hand smacked down on the tabletop. She hunched in on herself and Fura took to hiding in her lap. She glanced up and saw that Bubo's jaw was set, but he didn't look angry, just tired. She'd had to shake him to wake him up this morning, and Tuli felt bad because she knew she'd kept him up last night. Every time she woke up, she thought she was back in the forest with Santiago, and Bubo would be there to remind her of where she was. That she was safe here and to go back to sleep.

He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes as he said, "Tuli, what's going on? Did something happen that I need to know about?"

Tuli remained silent and Fura made her way up to her shoulder. The rat let out an almost defiant squeak and Bubo said as he focused on the rat, "That is enough out of you, Fura, you are not helping."

The rat scrunched down and Tuli looked up. She'd forgotten that Bubo had learned to speak to the rats long before she did. Bubo replaced his glasses and let out an almost growl as he flexed the fingers of the hand he'd hit the table with. She wasn't expecting to have to explain why she didn't want the cactus lady to look after her, but she didn't want Bubo to be mad at her either, so she shrugged and said as she stared at the floor, "Nothing happened, I'm sorry, Bubo."

He lifted her chin and said in an oddly gentle tone, "We'll talk about this later, but I do have to get going, Tuli."

Tuli nodded and he went out onto the patio. She saw him speaking to the cactus lady. When the clock chimed, Bubo walked back through the kitchen on his way to the courtyard. He gave her a nod and Tuli answered with a small wave. She looked up to see the cactus lady had stopped in the doorway with her hands full of dishes. Tuli did not get up to help, instead she glared at her defiantly. Antonio had told her at breakfast that cactus lady had asked Bubo out on a date, and that Bubo had said yes. Her primo must be crazy and just one more reason not to like her, she thought. Cactus lady entered the kitchen but didn't comment as she set the dishes on the counter with the others. She quickly sorted out the plates and cutlery and set them in the water to soak.

Next, she collected a stool and placed it near the sink, then went to the stove and rooted through the many aprons. Tuli blinked. From the back, the cactus lady looked just like her Mamí. Her Mamí always wore her hair in a long braid like that. A memory of her trying to catch it flicked through her head, and the pain that never really went away surfaced. Tuli pulled at her locket. When the cactus lady turned, she thankfully lost the thread of her thoughts as cactus lady held out the apron she'd found. She noticed Tuli was not moving and asked, "You ready to get started?"

Tuli sat for a moment, hand still on her locket, then thought of what her Abuela would say if she knew how she was behaving and slowly slid off the chair. She walked around to cactus lady and tugged the apron out of her hands. Tuli held it up but wasn't sure how it went on and didn't want to ask for help. She turned it around and flipped it once until the cactus lady said, "Let me help you. Though you may want to take off your flowers for now."

Tuli hesitantly set the flowers on the table and found when she turned back that the cactus lady was holding the apron up for her. Tuli saw that not only did it go over her head, but had little sleeve holes for her arms. Once on, cactus lady had her turn, then she gently tied the strings. Tuli noticed there were ruffles at the shoulders and the blue fabric was covered with white daisies. Tuli smiled despite her irritation and said a little begrudgingly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," the cactus lady said and turned her attention to the dishes. Tuli noticed the dish towel and unfolded it, as cactus lady placed some washed cutlery into the rinse water. Tuli dried them and put them aside on the counter. Cactus lady was humming a funny sounding tune and Tuli thought she could smell cinnamon in the air. She took a deep breath. She loved that smell. It reminded her of her favorite breakfast, and she felt a little calmer. also made her wonder if the cactus lady could make churros. Tuli worked in silence until she noticed a tile on the windowsill that was decorated with cute flowers and a pair of bees. There were words she could not quite make out. Curious, she leaned a little toward the window in an effort to read them, and fell forward into the cactus lady. Fura let out a squeak, and Tuli only just caught herself.

"Oh, are you okay?" Cactus lady asked as she helped steady her.

Tuli nodded, but hadn't been able to tell what the tile said. She just had to know, but instead of asking, she pointed to the tile. The Cactus lady followed where she was pointing, and she smiled at it and picked it up as she asked, "This?"

Again, Tuli nodded, and the cactus lady handed it to her.

"It's something I made when I was a little older than you for one of my sisters."

Tuli thought about smashing it on the floor until she read the tiny blue painted words that coiled around the boarder, 'isabee luvs humm'. Each tiny letter was perfectly formed, and Tuli remembered that humm was the name of the bee in the story Bruno had read for her and Antonio. The other name was not from that story, and she turned the tile over and read, 'Mirabel! Happy Birthday, Hermanita!' in the same perfect handwriting.

Tuli handed it back and asked, "What's an Isabee?"

"That would be me," the cactus lady said with a small smile as she gently returned it to the windowsill. "Mira used to make up nicknames for everyone when she was little. Some of them stuck." As she reached, Tuli noticed a line of small scars that went almost all the way around the cactus lady's upper arm. Like the writing on the tile, they were perfectly straight and evenly spaced. She wondered where they came from, but didn't ask.

Before they started on the cups and glasses, cactus lady dried her hands and showed Tuli where everything they'd already washed and dried went. She realized that she'd been expecting the cactus lady to just be mean, but she never got angry when Tuli would 'accidentally' splash her with rinse water. As they continued on with the rest, cactus lady turned away from her to pick up a large pot from the stove. Again, Tuli saw the resemblance to her Mamí as she placed the pot in the wash water to soak. Cactus lady dried her hands and asked as she took off her apron, "Ready for a break?"

Tuli nodded and turned, so the cactus lady could undo the ties of her own apron. After she took it off, she felt the daisy crown being put back on her head. Tuli glanced up at it and felt a little guilty for being such an unpleasant child. Daisies were her absolute favoritest flower, and the cactus lady had made these with her Gift, Just for her. Cactus lady was only mean that one time. She did say she was sorry, and she did help protect her when the people got too close. Maybe today will be okay, she thought.

They put away the cups and glasses and Isabela took Tuli to the patio where they laid out the slightly damp aprons. Then they went out of the back gate and headed toward town. Fura squeaked and tugged on her face, and Tuli looked in the direction the rat indicated. She saw Lucia who was waving to her and Tuli smiled a little as she waved back. Doris noticed this and said something to Lucia that made her stop smiling. Doris knew her secret and did not seem happy to see her as she was. Doris turned and continued following the others of Isabela's family she was with. The group disappeared into one of the houses, but Lucia hung back and waved to Tuli again, then quickly stepped through the door. Isabela noticed where she was looking and said very softly, "Hey Doli, if you happen to hear Doris or her brood mention Tuli, can you please give me a shout?"

"Why did you do that?"

"I don't like gossip," Isa said and continued toward the town.

Tuli walked a little behind her since the cactus lady didn't know she looked like her Mamí, and Tuli could pretend she was still alive, just for a little while. But all it really did was remind her of just how much she missed her Mamí and that she hadn't thought about her for a while. That made her a little afraid she was forgetting her. Tuli bit her lip as that sadness welled up again, and before they went very far, Tuli stopped. She watched Isa walk further away, and when Isabela noticed that Tuli was no longer following, she turned back. The spell was broken and her Mamí was dead again.

Isabela came back and knelt in front of her and asked, "You okay, Tuli?"

Tuli didn't answer, what she wanted was to have her old life back, but she knew that would never happen. But maybe she could just have some of it. If these people could be her new family, then maybe... but it was also hard to admit you're wrong. Isabela noticed her frown deepen and sat down on the grass. She patted the ground next to her, so Tuli sat down too.

Tuli pulled her knees up under her chin and said, "I know you don't like me," Isabela tilted her head slightly, and again Tuli was reminded of her Mamí. She would do that whenever Tuli had said something she didn't have a ready response for, but maybe... "and it's okay if you don't. I just... want to... " Tuli faltered, she couldn't say it, so went silent.

"Is that what you think? That I was mean because of who you are?" Tuli nodded and Isabela frowned and said, "I like you quite a lot, Tuli. I was never mad at you. If anything, I need you to forgive me. I'm so sorry I didn't do a better job of being an adult. I frightened you for no other reason than I was mad at my life." Isabela sighed when several dandelions popped up in the grass. They aged quickly to seed, and Isabela poked one, sending the seeds to drift away on the breeze.

"Then it's okay that… I'm not a real girl?"

"Why would you say you're not a real girl? Of course you are. Besides, people should like you, just as you are, and if they don't, they don't deserve your time."

Tuli smiled a little, but it faded as she looked at the town and said, "There probably isn't anyone else like me here."

"You seem pretty sure about that."

Tuli didn't answer but shrugged as she continued to look at the town.

"A long time ago, when I was a little younger than you, there was a man in the village that made the most beautiful shoes. You're wearing one of my pairs, right now," Isa said as she pointed to the pale blue shoes that had tiny daisies embroidered on them. "He was kind to everyone and so polite. People would often go to his shop just to spend time there. Anyway, it turns out that Señor Jorge Rodriguez was much like you. No one knew differently until he passed away unexpectedly."

"What happened… "

"Well, as I remember it, there were only a few people brave enough to come to the funeral to do more than see if they'd put him in a dress to meet Jesus."

"You mean he was..."

"Yep."

Tuli plucked one of the dandelions out of the grass. "I promised Bubo I wouldn't run away anymore… but I'm afraid."

"Oh, of what?"

"That I'll break it if my Tío wants me to go back to Bogotá. I know I'll have to if he says so, but I don't want to be alone anymore. I want to stay here with Bubo."

"What if Bubo goes with you?"

"He said he would, but he's got grown up stuff to do, and I don't want to be a burden," Tuli said as she thought of the date her primo was supposed to be going on later. A quick stiff breeze came through and freed more of the dandelion seeds. Tuli watched as they drifted high up in the air and away, just like her dreams of being able to stay here. Tuli again reached for her locket and closed her eyes as she tried to hold in the tears. "I want to believe it can happen... it's just..."

She felt Isabela put an arm around her as she said, "Open your eyes, Tuli, there's someone I want to show you."

Tuli reluctantly let go of the locket and slowly opened her eyes. Expecting a person to be there, she was surprised when Isabela waved a hand and three figures of various ages and poses appeared in front of them. They were made up of different colored rose plants, and Tuli wondered who she was. She looked familiar, but Tuli couldn't say why. The youngest had a nervous smile, that was friendly and inviting. Like she wanted to talk to you but was shy. The next, looked a little older than her and though she appeared more confident in the fancier clothes she was wearing, she had a smile that Tuli did not like at all. Like she would snap at you if you said or did the wrong thing. The last was of a girl grown to womanhood, and Tuli stared, she was just so perfectly beautiful. Tuli reached out but pulled her hand back, not wanting to disturb the flowers, and she whispered, "Who are they?"

Isabela let out a snort as she scratched her chin and said, "Believe it or not, they were all me."

Tuli looked from Isabela to the flower statues and back again. It was the same face, but the beautiful woman's statue held an expression that was cold and mean. Tuli thought of the Isabela she met yesterday. She'd had a stern look, but not like this. This one's smile did not touch her eyes. The statue looked down at Tuli in that oft seen expression she would get when she couldn't quite do the things others thought a boy should be able to. "I don't like her… "

"Yeah, me neither," Isabela said, and the two younger statues collapsed into piles of melting petals.

Tuli thought again of the tiny scars she'd seen on Isabela's arm. When she first went to live with her abuelos, she would bite the back of her hand when she was afraid. To the point she was leaving marks. Her abuela gave her the locket to hold instead of hurting herself. She told her it served no purpose to hurt herself for things she could not control. She reached up and touched one of the lines on Isabela's arm and asked, "Do these mean you don't like yourself either?"

Isabela didn't answer, but Tuli noticed a small trickle of blood on Isabela's other arm. "You're bleeding," Tuli said and pointed.

"Hijueputa," Isabela muttered and wiped it away just as another thorn sprouted in a different place.

"I don't understand, how can that be you?" she asked as she pointed to the remaining statue, "You're so beautiful and your Gift is so… " Tuli stopped when Isabela closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As she did, a portion of her sleeves disappeared and Tuli realized that they were plants. Now there were other spots where thorns had pricked her skin, leaving behind tiny dots of blood.

"I'm sorry, Señorita Isabela, I didn't mean to-" Tuli started to say.

"Don't be sorry, Tuli. It'll be fine and please, just call me Isa. No more 'Señorita Isabela' nonsense. "

Tuli nodded and looked back at the statue. There were cracks in the face of it now, and Tuli said, "She's broken."

"She very much was," Isabela said as she reached out and gently touched the statue. The crack that ran from the forehead to the chin repaired itself, leaving behind the face Tuli was familiar with. Just as beautiful, but maybe a little happier?

"Believe me Tuli, I do understand what you're feeling because by the time I was your age, I was expected to be someone I was not. To be perfect in every way. Never too happy, never too sad, never too… anything." She gestured at the rose statue and frowned. "Couldn't dress the way I wanted, couldn't do the things that made me happy. Didn't make real friends, or lost the ones I had because of it… " Isabela stopped and growled as she flicked her fingers at the statue, causing it to fly apart. "While my Gift used to make everyone around me happy, I felt trapped because I couldn't be who I really was. I was afraid that if I didn't keep up that perfect lie, my family, the town, everyone wouldn't love me anymore. So, I would put on that perfect face and try to bury the fear and pain."

Tuli plucked another dandelion, "I do that too, but it's really hard to pretend sometimes."

"I know, and for what it's worth, I don't think you should have to hide the fact that you are a girl stuck in a boy's body. You are who you are. Dress anyway you please. Just remember to be true to yourself because that's all any of us really has. The people that truly love you are not going to turn away because you happen to see yourself differently."

"You don't know my Tío."

"Nope, but remember, he did come all this way, and you changed your primo's mind," Isabela said, "and he seems the type to stick with you, no matter what. Let's hope he's able to talk some sense into your Tío. You also have us Madrigals," she added and winked as she got up and helped Tuli off the ground. They continued toward the town and came to a stop in front of the oak tree in the plaza. Tuli turned and could just barely see the oak on the mountain. She wondered if there was a third. She looked out at the forest, but nothing stood out to her. Her abuela told her that guardian trees always grew in threes and that the places they lived were special havens.

Isabela interrupted her thought when she said, "You know, I used to make swings for my sisters to play on, wanna try?"

Tuli almost said no, but she nodded instead.

Isabela smiled and waved a hand at the tree. Long flowery vines stretched toward her and tied themselves together at the bottom. Isa then made the vines flatten some over the knot, and Tuli was amazed by this and touched the newly created swing.

"Ready?"

"Yes," Tuli said, determined to remain unafraid.

Camilo hung back when he saw that Mirabel had slowed down to keep pace with Bubo, who had dropped behind everyone. Luisa also noticed, and the sisters stayed with Bubo with him, offering to help him as their group moved closer to the troop of folks that were all moving much faster. Old Arturo and Señor Aguilar stepped up with Mariano to greet them and asked to speak with whoever was in charge of the group. Three people came forward, two men and an older woman that Camilo thought looked a lot like his Abuela Alma. So, Tío's sponty was right. It was not her, but they did look very similar. Could even be sisters. The woman was smaller than his Abuela, probably as tall as Tía Julieta. She stood off to the side, listening as the men with her spoke, but Arturo only nodded to them then turned and spoke first to the woman, not the men. The woman had been wearing a neutral expression that turned to a small smile as she spoke with Arturo, but she was looking in their direction in between responses.

One of the men, Camilo thought at first, might be the man in the sketch of Tío Jose, but he didn't have glasses. He was listening to the conversation, nodding and adding here and there. He was at least as tall as Tío Gus. The third man was shorter than the other, but not by much. He was turned away, and Camilo could not see his face. He was not offering anything to the conversation, but when he looked toward them. Camilo immediately saw the family resemblance. The same hawkish nose and glasses, the man did a sort of double take and focused on Bubo. He excused himself from the conversation he was in and immediately walked over to Bubo, took him by the shoulders and with a genuine smile said, "Bubo! It is you! Thank goodness. You don't look any worse for your adventures. How are you?"

Bubo, who was standing next to Luisa, still had his hands in his pockets. He looked very tense, and extremely nervous. Bubo's Tío did not have the same accent as his sobrino. Camilo wondered at that and thought maybe he'd ask Mariano about it. It fascinated him that someone from Colombia could sound so different.

Bubo smiled weakly as he said, "I am well, Tío. Though I was a little surprised to see you here, of all places."

"Yes, well, that is a story within itself," his Tío looked around at the Madrigals, who had not moved away. "And more complicated. We can talk about that later, Bubo."

"Actually, Tío we should talk about that now, before we go back to the Encanto."

"Encanto? Interesting name for a village, but I would still prefer to wait. Some things are better discussed in private."

Camilo noted that Luisa had moved closer to Mirabel and put a protective hand on her shoulder. Camilo toyed with shifting into Tuli, but Tío Bruno had told him to try very hard to not use his Gift while they were on the mountain. He didn't say why, only that Camilo's primary purpose for being there was to watch the people. When you copied people for a living, you got really good at reading body language and hearing verbal queues that most people would miss.

Bubo's nervousness morphed into anger, and he said in an even tone, "No, we need to talk about this now." Bubo's Tío was taken aback, and his expression changed to one that mirrored Bubo's.

His Tío was silent for a moment, then said, "Paola has run away from home again, and I believe he was headed in this direction."

"Her name is Tuli," Bubo said flatly.

His Tío paused again and said, "Her name?"

"Yes, her. She was rescued from a child smuggler a few days ago by the people who live here."

"Are you saying these people think he's a girl?"

Camilo noted that Bubo's expression turned dark when it appeared the only thing José could focus on was that Bubo had said 'her'. In fact, Bubo looked much like he did the night before when he discovered what Tuli had been through, and he did not answer his Tío's question. That was not good. Camilo returned his attention to Bubo's Tío who seemed to be processing all of what Bubo just said. An unreadable expression replaced his angry one, and he shook his head and asked, "Wait, wait, Bubo did you just say a child smuggler?"

Bubo let out a mild curse and straightened his shoulders.

"Señor Márquez?" Both Bubo and his Tío turned to Mirabel as she stepped a little closer, put a hand on Bubo's arm and said, "Hi, sorry to interrupt."

"And who are you?" José said curtly. Mirabel looked a little startled, and Luisa's expression was stony as she stood firmly behind her sister. Mira recovered quickly, smiled and said as she waved a hand at the people behind them that were all watching now, "I think we should start back toward town."

Bubo's eyes flicked past his Tío as he adjusted his glasses. Mirabel coming along had been Bubo's idea. He did not say why, and Mirabel had been just as confused as he was when he'd asked. Camilo could see it now as Bubo turned to Mirabel. She hadn't said anything else, but she too had noticed his sudden antagonism toward his Tío. He sensed her concern, and the anger leached out of his expression. Bubo smiled at Mirabel and turned back to his Tío as he remembered that his uncle did not have the information he did. He cleared his throat and said, "Sorry, Tío, I'm more than a little over tired, but you're right. We'll discuss it there. Just please keep an open mind." His Tío nodded and Bubo said, "Tío, I want to introduce you to some of the people who brought Tuli off the mountain. This is Mirabel Madrigal, her sister Luisa and their primo Camilo."

"It was actually Camilo, that did most of that," Mirabel said.

José then turned to Camilo. Looked him up and down, then said, "My thanks, el joven."

Camilo nodded and resisted the urge to shift, he knew showing off his Gift before someone explained what was happening to this new bunch of people would not make anything easier. The older woman had started shooing the other folks with her. The men of their party began to put their bundles into the carts, then the children and older folks who were with them. Camilo went around with Mariano to pass out the small bundles of food Tía Julieta had given him, while Luisa and Mirabel passed out water to the travelers.

Bubo remained with his Tío. Camilo wasn't sure what they were talking about, but obviously, it was not the touchy subject of his prima. Bubo had pulled out a box and was showing the contents to his uncle, who had an eyebrow raised as he poked at whatever was inside. It was obvious that while they did not see eye to eye on some things... they were family and could dance around the elephant in the room a little longer. Bubo was now talking to one of the men from the new group, and his Tío was off to the side looking through a small book with a look of concern that turned thoughtful. Camilo recognized it as the one they'd taken off Santiago, and he watched as Jose Marquez closed it and put it in his shirt pocket. He wondered if Bubo had told him the man was dead.

He looked again at the older woman and decided she was definitely related to their Abuela somehow, and went to talk with Mira and Luisa.

Mirabel and Luisa brought water to the group of leaders that were sitting on a fallen tree on the side of the road. They'd insisted that everyone else get taken care of first, so after everyone took a cup, they turned to leave, but Mirabel stopped when Arturo asked, "Mirabel, can you stay for a moment?"

"Sure, how can I help you, Arturo?"

It was the older woman who spoke, "Do you always speak to your elders in such an informal manner?"

Mirabel froze, she probably should have been more proper, but this was Arturo. Before she could respond, Arturo cleared his throat and said, "Mirabel is the granddaughter, I never had. I insisted a long time ago, she not refer to me as Señor Sanchez. The Encanto is a pretty laid-back place, not a lot of formality. Most people are on a first name basis."

The woman nodded, but from her face it was clear she did not approve. Arturo looked up at her, smiled and said, "Mirabel, this is Señora Vargas. She's from a village a little north of Bogotá. She asked about the group of women and children that we brought off the mountain yesterday."

"What do you want to know, Señora Vargas?" Mirabel said in her best approximation of her Mama.

"Is there anything you can tell me about where they came from?"

(…Mira, Doris, said they were originally from Cartagena and were traveling to Quito to live with family…)

Mirabel's eyes went a little wider, but she didn't jump this time when Dolores's calm, reassuring voice whispered in her ear. It did help to ease her fears about answering the question, and she said, "As I understand, they are originally from Cartagena and were traveling to Quito to live with family."

"That's such a long way away. At least a thousand kilometers," Señora Vargas said, "Why would... "

Mirabel wondered why she was so interested in this particular group, and then she remembered the vision tablet her Tío had shown her before they knew the things they knew now. There was definitely something the Señora wasn't telling them. The straight-backed way she sat, and her tone, reminded Mirabel of how her Abuela used to be. Mirabel was surprised that she did not feel anxious as she would have before the breaking. She actually felt concern for this person. Since Mirabel did not know what the circumstances of this woman's journey were, she decided she would withhold judgement. Even still, to this person, Mirabel was just a random rude child, so before she could ask another question, Mirabel added, "That is all I really know. I only spoke with them in passing at breakfast. I'm sure my Abuela will have more information once we get back to town."

"Thank you, Mirabel," Arturo said, and he looked pleased with her answer and Mirabel nodded and walked away. She took a deep breath, and after she found Luisa, she watched her as her sister talked to Osvaldo. He was nodding and petting Burrita as Luisa put Burrita's foot down, "Yeah, it's a small crack now, but it will only get worse if she steps badly." She tickled the donkey's chin as she fed her something small. Curious, Mirabel asked, "She okay?"

"Should be. I know Mamá gave me these for myself... I just wanted to make sure her hoof was good for the trip back," Luisa said, and put away the small tin she was holding into her pocket. Burrita nudged Luisa's hand, and her sister absently scratched the donkey behind her ears. Osvaldo thanked her and Luisa said to Mirabel, "Come on, I want to check on Bruno, too."

Bruno was the other of Osvaldo's donkeys. Osvaldo had named him in honor of her Tío that no one talked about because the foal had been born with an hourglass shaped white patch on his left shoulder. Luisa had helped Burrita deliver him five years ago, and that was one of the reasons she wanted to be a vet.

Camilo joined them and asked Mirabel, "So, you remember Tíos first sketch and that vision tablet?" The sisters nodded and Camilo continued, "I'd lay odds she's related to Abuela." Mirabel nodded and Luisa agreed.

"What did Arturo want?" Luisa asked

"Señora Vargas wanted to know if I knew where Doris and her people were from."

"Why?"

"Don't know, but remember in the vision tablet how Doris looked angry and had the kids behind her?"

"Oh wow," Luisa said, "yesterday she only agreed to come with us because Mamá said the kids would be able to stay with her."

"I thought it an odd question since, how would she have even known about them?"

"That is a good question. I'm gonna try and talk to Bubo's Tío on the way back," Camilo said and moved off to where he was sitting.

Mariano came over with Bubo and pointed at the cart. Bubo gave Mariano the side eye, but Mirabel could see how exhausted he was and said, "You should lie down before you fall down, Bubo." Bubo nodded and Mariano helped him into the back of the cart. Bubo introduced himself to the folks already there and sat in an empty corner and closed his eyes.

"Good," Mariano said, "and I think we should get moving. I've noticed some of the folks starting to drift in your direction, Mirabel."

"Perfect," Mirabel said and rolled her eyes.

Luisa just let out a laugh, then picked up her sister and set her in the driver's seat of the cart.

"I can walk, Luisa," Mirabel said.

"Yup," was all Luisa said in reply, and Mirabel sat back and crossed her arms as her sister took Bruno's lead and started back down the mountain, knowing the people would follow.

Isabela stopped the swing and said, "Well, fun time's over. Time to finish the dishes, Tuli. You ready to head back?"

Tuli nodded and got off the swing, that immediately melted as she did so. She knelt down so Fura could hop back on her shoulder. The rat squeaked at Tuli and Isabela was a little surprised when Tuli took her hand and asked, "Was this tree always here?"

"Yes, I believe so," Isabela replied.

Tuli nodded and said, "Are there any others as big as this one?"

Interesting question, Isa thought. "Besides the one on the mountain?" Tuli again nodded. "Possibly in the forest. We'll be heading out to one of the nearby farms to do some weeding after lunch, and it's closer to the woods than we are here."

Again Tuli nodded. Isabela was expecting more of a reaction from Tuli at being told they were going to be working in the fields. She knew that she would not have been nearly as cooperative when she was that age. She remembered then that Tuli had lived with her abuelos on their farm in the mountains and probably had a better idea of what she was doing than Isabela did. As they started toward Casita, Tuli seemed more at ease and even asked random questions about the plants that lined the path, telling her there weren't this many plants in Bogotá. They stopped on the patio to retrieve their aprons, then went inside and finished the dishes.

"Hungry?" Isabela asked.

"I am," said Tío Bruno as he walked into the kitchen. "Whatcha makin, Isabee?"

Fura let out a joyful sounding squeak, so Tuli set the rat on the table. Fura scurried over to her 'Papá' as he held out a hand for her.

"I'm making bocadillo grilled cheese sandwiches," she said as she pulled everything she needed out of the cold box.

"I'm in," her Tío said, but everyone knew if the dish had cheese, her Tío would eat it. She started by splitting some of the leftover breakfast arepas then sliced the cheese. She uncovered the guava paste and Tuli was leaning in to watch. Isabela offered her a knife after showing her how to cut the paste into smaller strips.

Fura was now sitting on the table, and she let out a longer series of squeaks. Her Tío looked at the rat then over at Tuli and asked, "What is she saying, Tuli. I know it's food related."

Tuli looked surprised and almost a little panicked as she said, "How did you know I can talk to the rats?"

"I saw it in a vision... " Tío Bruno said cryptically.

"Really?" Tuli asked, eyes wide.

"No, I just figured it out by paying attention."

"Oh, ummm, she said you need to eat more and that you're a bag of bones."

Isabela was glad she was facing the stove at that moment so she wouldn't have to cover her smile and her Tío said to the rat, "Honestly, Fura, you're worse than my sisters."

Fura squeaked in a satisfied tone, then scrambled up his arm into his ruana. Moments later, Antonio zoomed through the kitchen, followed shortly by a winded Tío Félix. There was a loud clatter of tiles in the courtyard and her Tío Félix rolled his eyes and headed in that direction. Isabela asked Casita, "What is going on?"

Casita told her that Antonio had almost run into their Abuela and was now lying on his back in the courtyard. Ouch, she thought, she'd done that a few times. Well, there was that rule about not running in the house. She looked over and saw Tuli putting plates on the table as her Abuela came into the kitchen. She was shaking her head and said to herself, "Such a menace. Bruno, I am heading to the meeting with Julieta and Pepa. Are you sure you cannot come?"

Bruno shook his head. "Trust me, it'll be best if I'm not there. I'll see you when you get back, Mamá."

"Can I offer you a grilled cheese before you go, Abuela?" Isabela asked as she flipped them on the griddle.

"No, but thank you, Isa," she paused and smelled the air then added, "Well maybe just one." And she sat down at the table as Isabela brought over the small platter of sandwiches and some fruit.

Alma picked up one of the sandwiches and put it on her plate. Isabela, in the past, had made some very questionable food. Almost as if she purposefully messed things up so she wouldn't be asked or be expected to help with the cooking. When Alma thought on it, she decided it was probably that. Looking back, it was obvious that each of her grandchildren had, in their own way, found ways to not do something that was expected. Alma took a bite, and it was delicious. Isa had added something to it that brought out the tangy-ness of the cheese as it mixed with the guava paste. Alma complimented her on them, and Isabela smiled as Bruno set a small cup of coffee in front of her that she sipped in between bites.

She looked over at Tuli who was sitting between Bruno and Isa. Tuli appeared to have forgiven Isabela for her behavior the day before. That was a relief, considering Isa's interest in Tuli's primo. The child was eating very daintily and was asking Isabela questions about the daisies that made up the crown they'd set on the table in front of them. There was nothing boyish about them. They were smaller than the average eight-year-old, with a slight build and hair that was long enough that it could be braided without trouble. She had to admit, if you didn't know Tuli was physically a boy, you'd never know it just by looking at them.

Alma did not completely agree with how her children had decided to handle this situation, she was genuinely torn as to what she should do. Even going so far as to speak to the parish priest. Personally, he felt that perhaps they should view Tuli as Jesus would, with kindness. He declined to speak on behalf of the Church since he was not fully ordained, something he hoped to rectify in the coming year. She shuddered to think of what the greater Church would do. Doris's reaction was, unfortunately, how she imagined many in the Encanto would react if they were aware.

Julieta's view was that it harmed no one for Tuli to be themselves, and she was done with hiding those facts from the people in town. She also mentioned that folks now had the option to leave the Encanto, something she decided she would point out to anyone that could not bear the thought. Bruno also reminded her that the Bible did not specifically state that believing so was a sin. That was something that people added to it. He would know, since he'd studied the Bible extensively. What surprised her the most was that it was Pepa that was most insistent. Saying her son, routinely shifted between sexes, so how was this any different? Alma didn't have an actual argument against that.

So, Alma decided she would let them do what they felt was right, but either way Tuli's fate was now in the hands of her Tío José. It was hard to know if Tuli would accept his decision. Though the child seemed far calmer than when they arrived, Alma noticed that occasional look of someone who was ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

Alma finished her sandwich and drank the rest of her coffee. All problems for later, she thought, and she smiled as Bruno started on his third sandwich. Alma got up and left the kitchen and headed into town to meet with her daughters.

Bruno finished his third sandwich and was eyeing a fourth when it started. Fura squeaked and Isa was there, pulling up his hood and sitting beside him, holding his hand. In a distant corner of his brain, he registered that Tuli asked, "Is Tío okay?"

"He's okay Tuli. This is just a part of his Gift; he just needs a minute until this passes."

"Oh," Tuli said, as she took a hand as well. Isa was humming in much the same way she had the night before, and Bruno watched the figures that were randomly flitting in and out of sight, drop into a line that he watched with actual interest. When the sponty ended, Bruno moved slightly and Isa and Tuli released him. He pulled his hood off and was again amazed at his non-shaking hands.

"You okay, Tío Bruno?" Isa asked as she moved back to her seat.

"Yes, thank you, Isa. Wish I could record your humming and bring it with me everywhere." Isabela was blushing and tried to hide it by taking another a sip of her coffee. Tuli just stared wide-eyed at him, and Bruno realized it wasn't just Antonio that was messing with his visions. It was Tuli, or perhaps it was Tuli's Guardian Angel. Bruno was a firm believer in such spiritual beings, and if ever there was a child in need of one, Tuli was it.

Fura popped out of his ruana and squeaked questioningly. Bruno patted her head and shooed her in Tuli's direction. The rat scampered to her, and Tuli smiled as she broke off a piece of her sandwich for the rat. Bruno needed to think so he excused himself, saying he was making a small plate for Dolores. Isabela was clearly wondering what his sponty was about, this was the second time he'd left her after having one. While this sponty did include her, it was not focused on her. "We'll talk after supper, Isa."

"But she has a date with Bubo after supper," Tuli said.

Isabela looked at Tuli with surprise, then shrugged and nodded.

Bruno had actually forgotten that detail, but it did make a part of his sponty make more sense. "That's right, I'd forgotten. Thanks for reminding me, Tuli. Okay, then before supper. Will you two be here?"

Isabela nodded, so Bruno headed up to Mirabel's room.