Chapter 2
Waiting on a Miracle
"There's my Miraboo!" Agustin cheered as Mirabel walked toward her family, Camilo following closely behind.
"Remember, whatever happens, we'll be by your side." Julieta said.
"It's going to work this time!" Isabela said. "I can feel it."
"Even if it doesn't," Luisa added. "We'll still be here for you, and Dolores said we can have a sleepover in her room…like a Plan B celebration…you can invite your friend, Tina if you want."
"That sounds like fun." Mirabel admitted. "I still feel nervous."
"You have every right to be nervous." Julieta said. "None of us know what's in store. You should have seen your Tio Bruno just now. He's been pacing and worried about having an involuntary vision."
"Well, hopefully all of us will be put at ease tonight." Mirabel said.
"Abuela says it's time." Dolores whispered, peaking her head through the curtain. "Camilo, come on!" Camilo followed Dolores to stand by the other grandkids. Isabela and Luisa followed, getting in position. Luisa allowed Antonio to sit on her shoulders so he could see what was happening. Dolores took Camilo's hand, and with her other hand, she took Isabela's. Julieta and Agustin went to stand by the glimmering door.
Abuela stood on the stairs and turned to the audience.
"Fifty years ago, our community was blessed with a miracle. My husband, Pedro, gave his life for this community. I thought there was an end- a limit to this miracle. I thought I knew everything about it. But I find even in my old age, I still learn new things. I learned there is no ending to my Pedro's love, because fifteen years ago, he sent me another miracle. My youngest granddaughter, Mirabel, became a blessing to this family. And fifteen years later, she has helped her family, and her community. I asked my Pedro for a blessing, and he sent me Mirabel. Tonight, we want to recognize her for her efforts. We do not know what to expect from tonight, but what we do know, is that she is still our miracle." She gestured to the curtain. The tiles changing to look like a red pathway. Mirabel stood at the end, looking nervous as the people clapped. She took a deep breath and began to walk forward.
Camilo thought of his gift ceremony at age five. He was glad Mirabel had been there for Antonio, as his brother was incredibly shy and didn't like attention. But Camilo used to love it. He remembered how excited he and Mirabel both were at that time. He remembered the townsfolk in their excitement as well. "How wonderful the Madrigals will have two gift ceremonies in one year!"
He remembered how sad and let down everyone was when Mirabel's door disappeared. He couldn't help but pray that it would work this time.
Please, let her have this…
He had another thought. He remembered when everyone was getting their gifts back… He remembered the silent prayer he had for himself that night… He had hoped the miracle would give him a new gift if he asked. Instead, when he placed his hand on his new doorknob, his door didn't disappear, but instead became barren. There was no glimmering. No picture. Just his name, and plain, ordinary wood. His room had become barren as well. No more stages. No more mirrors or curtains. Just a plain ordinary room with plain furniture. He took a deep breath and tried not to think about that night. Instead, he tried to focus on Mirabel as she gently touched the candle. She stepped back, wiped her hands on her dress and then reached for the doorknob.
The door slowly began to vanish as it had before. The people stood, holding their breaths, unsure how to react. Mirabel turned to give Abuela a reassuring smile, but then her eyes widened.
"Abuela…the candle…" She pointed to Abuela's hands. The candle's flame was beginning to burn brighter. Two golden butterflies emerged from the flame and began to fly around the Casita. The crowd gasped and watched in awe.
"Mirabel!" Bruno shouted. "Follow them! I think they're leading you somewhere!"
Mirabel obeyed, following the butterflies, not taking her eyes off them. The other grandkids even went upstairs to follow her and get a better look. The two butterflies flew to Abuela's room until they landed on the wood, vanishing, but leaving a new mark on her door. It was now a design of Abuela and Mirabel standing next to each other, both holding the candle…or perhaps Abuela was giving Mirabel the candle… Two names now labeled the door as well: Abuela and Mirabel…
"Of course…why didn't I see it before?" Abuela said.
"What?" Mirabel asked. Abuela turned to the crowd.
"We have a new Candleholder!" Abuela announced. The crowd began to whisper to each other in confusion.
"I don't understand." Mirabel said.
"Mirabel, one day, I will be gone." Abuela replied. "And I will need someone to pass down my legacy. I need someone to look after the miracle… to give gifts to future generations. To one day lead the family."
"Don't talk like that…I can't stand the thought of losing you!" Mirabel said.
"Mi Mariposa, that won't be for a long while. But in the meantime, I will teach you everything I know about the miracle."
"I'll do what I can to prove myself." Mirabel said.
"You already have." Abuela said. "You help your family, you led Antonio to his door for his gift. You restored the magic of our Encanto. You are worthy to be the next Candleholder. This is more than reason to celebrate!" She added, turning to the crowd. "Well Mirabel, let's see your new room."
"Our new room." Mirabel corrected, linking arms with her Abuela.
The inside was beautiful. The walls were teal. Abuela's bed was on one side, on a small level, with magenta blankets, and a nice place for the candle. Mirabel's room mirrored Abuela's, but her blankets were teal, with purple and pink pillows. There where butterfly embroideries all over the blankets. There were also two large wardrobes for dresses and a place where Mirabel could put her new sewing machine. The room was still large, with plenty of places where Mirabel could sew and craft. There was also a rocking chair for Abuela.
"It's bigger on the inside?" Diego spoke up.
"This is a sewer's dream room!" Tina sighed blissfully.
"Well, let's get a picture!" Abuela said. "The whole family."
"Camilo, come on!" Mirabel said, grabbing her cousin's arm. She and Abuela even made a headcount to make sure all the Madrigal's were in the picture.
"Very well," Senor Garcia set up his camera. "Say La Familia Madrigal!"
"La Familia Madrigal!"
After the pictures, the people began to make small talk, dance, and start eating. The celebration had officially started.
Camilo stepped backward, taking in the new room. It was beautiful and looked like a room fit for royalty. He bumped into something that made him stop walking.
"The camera!" A shrill voice called out. Camilo turned, realizing he had bumped into the camera stand. The camera was about to fall. Camilo jumped to the ground, letting the camera land on his stomach instead of the hardwood floor.
"Ugh! You idiot!" A girl snapped. Her name was Carmelita. She had bright red hair and piercing green eyes. She was the Senor Garcia's apprentice. She seemed to hate Mirabel and Camilo.
"Sorry Carmelita, here." Camilo stood and went to hand Carmelita the camera.
"Give me that!" Carmelita snapped, ripping the camera out of his hands. "I should have known you'd cause a scene at your cousin's ceremony! Who do you think you are?!"
Camilo was stunned, unable to answer her.
"Primo!" Mirabel gasped, running over to him. "Are you okay?"
"Hmph! I knew the "Madrigal Twins" were up to no good!" Carmelita said sharply.
Many people around their age always had asked if Mirabel and Camilo were twins. Most of the time people asked out of curiosity, and shocked to learn they were cousins. Some people would try to say it to insult Camilo, after Mirabel's first ceremony… They both knew there was ill intentions when Carmelita called them twins. This only made Mirabel angry.
"Hey, back off Carmelita! Camilo didn't even mean to run into the camera."
"Either way, he could've broken my camera!"
"Well, your camera isn't broken, so-"
"Mirabel, enough!" Abuela held up her hand, stepping in between the girls. She turned to Carmelita. "Senorita Carmelita?"
"Si…" The girl replied, now looking down and embarrassed.
"Abuela, this is my apprentice!" Senor Garcia said, running up to the group.
"I see," Abuela said. She took a deep breath and nodded, as though she had just remembered something. "I don't appreciate how she speaks to my grandchildren."
"Of course, Abuela Alma! It won't happen again." He glared at Carmelita.
"See that it doesn't." Abuela placed a gentle hand on Mirabel's shoulder and led her away.
"Camilito! Are you all right?" Pepa asked, running up to her son and examined his face.
"I'm fine, Mami. Don't worry about me, you'll get a cloud." Camilo tried to wave her off.
"Stay here, I'm going to talk to your Tia." Pepa said, turning to Julieta.
"Mirabel, would you like a picture with your friends?" Julieta asked.
"I think that's a great idea!" Abuela said. "Valentina, Diego, there you are! Let's get a picture of the three of you!" As Abuela spoke, Pepa was speaking with Julieta.
Mirabel stood between her childhood friends. Camilo watched as the three embraced.
"Say Mejores amigos por siempre!" Senor Garcia said.
"Mejores amigos por siempre!" The three yelled, laughing. Camilo's heart dropped as the camera flashed and time seemed to slow down.
"Don't be upset or mad at all…" He told himself. "Don't feel regret, or sad at all." He laughed. "Hey, I'm still a part of the family Madrigal…And I'm fine, I am totally fine. I will stand on the side as you shine…I'm not fine, I'm not fine! I can't move the mountains," He sang as he looked at Luisa. "I can't make the flowers bloom," He continued, looking at Isabela. "I can't take another night up in my room waiting on a miracle…I can't heal what's broken," He sang, looking at Mirabel. "I can't hear a crashing wave or the morning rain," He continued, looking at Dolores. "Can't keep down the unspoken invisible pain always waiting on a miracle, a miracle! Always walking alone…Always wanting for more…Like I'm stuck at my door, longing to shine like all of you shine…All I need is a change…All I need is a chance…All I know is I can't stay on the side… Open your eyes! Open your eyes! Open your eyes!" He couldn't be sure if he was singing to his parents or to his Abuela… He felt unsure of who to turn to for help…or if anyone could help him… he didn't know what he should do with himself…though for ten years, even though Abuela had found use for his gift, he couldn't help but wish for a different gift… He pondered the possibilities if the miracle would only give him a new gift…
"I could fly over mountains! Make the night sky shine and glow! Someone please just let me know, where do I go? I am waiting on a miracle, a miracle! I could heal what's broken. Show this family something new! Who I am inside! So, what can I do? I'm sick of waiting on a miracle! So here I go! I am ready! Come on, I'm ready! I've been patient and steadfast and steady! Bless me now as you blessed us all those years ago, when you gave us a miracle! Am I too late for a miracle?" He couldn't help but wonder if he was ever allowed to change his gift. But the thought would make him feel even worse…maybe he was ungrateful…
He stood in the courtyard, enjoying the silence. He heard a gentle voice call to him.
"Camilo?" His Tia Julieta walked down the stairs. "Your mama wanted me to check on you. Are you in pain anywhere? You took quite the fall for that camera. Come, I'll make you an arepa." She led him to the kitchen, knowing he wouldn't turn down any of her cooking. He was a hungry, growing boy after all.
"Tia?" Camilo asked softly as Julieta made some arepas, turning them over with her hands. "I wasn't trying to…make a scene or ruin Mirabel's night… You know that, right?"
"Of course." Julieta said. "I'm married to the clumsiest man in the world. I know what an accident looks like. It's a family thing." Camilo sighed.
"You can say that again. Mama says I get it from her… I can't even hold a shovel without dropping it."
Julieta handed Camilo a finished arepa. "Here, eat." She insisted. Camilo obeyed, savoring the arepa. "But I know you're having a hard time tonight. Do you want to talk about it?"
Camilo shook his head.
"It's okay, I understand. Maybe you ought to get some rest. See if you feel better tomorrow." Julieta reassured. His room was the last place Camilo wanted to be…but it was better than dealing with the crowd.