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alexthebordercollie · 6 months

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To Love at all is to Love Entirely

Chapter 4: Transients

Warning contains homophobic slurs.

︵‿୨ - January 14 1951 - ୧‿︵

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Wilfredo stiffened up as he straightened his bowtie. Jacqueline’s snickering brought a grin to his face despite himself. Stop that! Don’t laugh, don’t encourage her!

“It’s not like you were gonna make a move. Still need your hermantia to play matchmaker for you, eh? How sad.” She teased.

Wilfredo shook his head and sighed. “No one is making any moves Jacqueline.” Much as he liked what he’d seen of Bruno, an attractive, funny, creative man... He had no expectations. “This is a small town. We can’t afford to be causing trouble. If we get kicked out we’ll be stuck on the streets for the next three months. We need to save our money for travel expenses.”

“UGH!” Jacqueline groaned loudly.

Wilfredo shoved aside the curtain that separated the tiny guest room. He pointed a stern finger at his sister. “I mean it, Jacqueline. Sin travesuras.”

His sister leaned back on her elbows on the mat that had been arranged on her side of the room. She glared up at him indignantly. “If no eres atraído, why are you getting all dressed up?” She complained.

“Cállate.” He blustered before scurrying back behind the curtain to collect his coat.

He wore a tweed suit. It had been tailor-made many years ago. Once it had been a perfect fit. He looked quite dapper in it. He’d gained some weight since then and the way the seams rode up slightly too high on his shoulders bothered him. He’d have to see a tailor again once he got his first paycheck. He was still a stocky fellow though so perhaps it was a fool's errand to try so hard. In truth, he wasn’t trying to impress the attractive man who’d caught his eye. Rather he hoped he could win over the town's stern matriarch after his clumsy introduction. Besides, he preferred to maintain some presentability.

“Apúrate! The festival’s already started and I’m not going to bed tonight til I’m good and drunk.” His sister griped as she burst through the curtain to get him.

︵‿୨ - January 6 1951 - ୧‿︵

Wilfredo was in no hurry to be back on the road. Not after Jacqueline's affair with a local politician got them run out of the last town. Three years. They managed three years this time before needing to move. Ever since leaving Bogotá they never could settle in one place for too long. There always seemed to be some reason or another to leave. This time Jacqueline was caught by a wealthy man's wife. The kind of family more than capable of screwing them both over. They were in quite the sorry state when they found El Encanto. Trudging through the jungle with all the possessions they had left in a rickety wooden cart. They’d lost their horse a few miles back. A horse Jacqueline stole no less. Most of their money had been seized in an unrelated incident. If Wilfredo saw that wretched banker's face again he was sure he would send the man home with a black eye and few missing teeth.

Despite being mostly responsible for their current predicament Jacqueline wasn’t slow to complain. Whining all the way as they dragged their cart along by hand. She suggested dumping their things on more than one occasion though Wilfredo was in no hurry to be even more broke than they already were. At least some of their possessions could sell for decent when they made it to another town. If they made it to another town. After a day and a half with no clean drinking water, Jacqueline drank from a stream. Very much against his advice. Suffice it to say it didn’t help their situation. Wilfredo was nearly on the verge of setting up camp somewhere for his hermanita and running ahead to try and find the road they’d lost track of. That's when he’d caught a glimpse of light on the horizon. Civilization. They hiked all night before reaching a crack in the mountains that overlooked a valley and its vibrant little town.

Wilfredo wasn’t sure he’d ever been so grateful to see other humans as he and his hermanita made their way into town. Still pulling their cart behind them. Folks in town gave them odd looks as they passed.

“Necesito un baño.” His sister groaned as her face grew a sickly color.

Wilfredo kept looking around for signs of anything that might signify a place of business. Everything looked residential or at least unmarked. “I know, I know.” He was really starting to worry.

Before he could bring himself to break down and ask someone for directions, a local family stopped them in the streets. A man, his wife, and teenage daughter by the looks of it.

“Ey, you two alright?” The man asked with genuine concern and a bit of surprise.

Wilfredo hadn’t really thought about how rough they looked. He suddenly became very self-conscious. His clothes were filthy. He'd stripped down to just his pants and a now very sweaty undershirt. His hair was matted and he was covered in all manner of scrapes and bruises. Jacqueline had navigated the woods a bit better though she looked like she would vomit at any moment. She was barely conscious of the worried bystanders.

Wilfredo adjusted his crooked reading glasses. “Oh, uh. We’ve been walking a while and could really use a place to rest for the night.” He was hesitant to ask because he knew his wallet was light, but Jacqueline needed somewhere to rest. It was unavoidable at this point. “I don’t suppose you folks have un hostal or something?”

Jacqueline groaned as she hobbled to the edge of the street to vomit in the family's flower bed. The woman let out a worried shriek and he couldn’t help but mutter curses under his breath.

“I told you not to drink the river water!” He scolded. This family certainly wouldn’t be in a hurry to help after an introduction like that. The locals surprised him.

“Oh, pobrecita.” The woman cooed as she held his sister's hair back while she wretched. “Come with us. We have someone in town who can help.”

Wilfredo felt a pain in his wallet. He pulled it from his back pocket to double-check their funds. They had a doctor? How much would a doctor cost in a small town like this? Surely not that much? They really couldn’t afford more than a bed right now. “I don’t think that’s necessary. She just needs to rest for a bit.” He attempted to dismiss. Looking at his hermanita... he didn’t sound as confident as he would have liked.

He nearly jumped as the strange man put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “It’s no trouble hombre. We’ll heal you guys up. No charge, bueno?”

Wilfredo turned to see the wife heading down the street supporting a very sick Jacqueline.“I’m taking her to see Julieta.” She explained to her husband.

A woman. So not a doctor. A curandera... great. He highly doubted a few rituals and prayers were going to treat his hermanita's dysentery. These people were trying to help so he bit his tongue. It would do him no good to insult their superstitious practices. Wilfredo looked back to the man then to his daughter. The girl was watching them both intently. She looked both fascinated and terrified. As if Wilfredo were some rare specimen.

The man gave him a kind smile. The whole family seemed kind if a bit... fearful. It was subtle but Wilfredo didn't miss the undercurrent of apprehension under their generosity. This town probably didn't see outsiders very often.

“Oh, you don't have to do that.” He fumbled out. He meant to sound more cherry, more grateful. To decline them politely. He was running on fumes and the words came out more frazzled and worried.

“You said you need a place to stay for the night?” The man asked.

“Uhm, sí. That is what I said.” Wilfredo replied as he took his glasses off to clean them. Realizing his shirt was entirely too damp to be of any use. His vision wasn’t the worst but he couldn’t help resenting his current sorry state.

“Let me take you to see the council. Estoy seguro pueden arreglarlo con un lugar para dormir.”

The man gestured for him to follow. Wilfredo was about to grab his cart again. The friendly stranger called out to his daughter.

“Ayla can watch your things. You look like you could use a break.”

Wilfredo looked back at the dark-haired teenager. He was deeply anxious about the prospect of leaving all of his worldly possessions in the hands of strangers. They had just whisked away his hermanita... With the current state of affairs, it hardly seemed like the bigger problem.

“The council?” Wilfredo inquired.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

The man led him to the plaza. He explained how the town's founders still ran the place and oversaw all of the town's day-to-day logistics. Thankfully it didn’t take long for his new acquaintance to flag down a group of elders overseeing some sort of construction project.

“Señora Madrigal, perdone.” The man got the attention of a stern elder woman in a black shawl.

Wilfredo stood just far back enough he didn’t hear exactly what all was said. He could feel his blood run cold when Señora Madrigal looked his way. He was quick to straighten up as the woman approached and put on his most marketable smile.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had an outsider in our community.” The woman opened sternly though not incurious. It was clear from the way she carried herself and the finery she wore, she was someone of influence in this town.

“We don’t mean to intrude.” Wilfredo explained smoothly. Despite the exhaustion that had seeped into his bones. He was going to fold his arms behind his back before realizing that an overly straight poster would draw attention to his filthy shirt and unsightly belly. He settled instead for tucking his hands in his front pockets in an attempt to look relaxed. “My sister and I got lost and this is the first town we’ve come across in days. I was hoping we might find someplace to rest for the night.”

He watched as the old woman's face softened a bit. She eyed him up and down with an unmistakable hint of pity in her eyes. Pity was the last thing he wanted. At least it was better than hostility or suspicion.

“You certainly look it.” She waved to the other council members. “Let’s move this conversation inside. Arturo, could you get this man a glass of water.” An older man took off his hat and nodded to her as he led the way into a large stone building. Some kind of town hall by the look of it. The interior had a collection of tables and chairs filling a large open space with a vaulted ceiling. A podium was set up on one end and there appeared to be some doors leading to other spare rooms though Wilfredo couldn’t tell what their functions were.

The inside was thankfully cool and Wilfredo was immensely grateful for a drink of clean water. He hadn’t realized just how dehydrated he was until he found himself chugging the glass in one swig. He looked back at the elders who had sat down with him around one of the small round tables. They looked confused and worried. He almost felt too embarrassed to ask for another glass.

“I’ll get you a refill.” Arturo offered gently as he reached for Wilfredo’s glass.

“Gracias.” He replied sheepishly.

He could feel all the eyes in the room boring holes into him. Especially the Madrigal woman.

“I feel as though I’ve intruded.” Wilfredo apologized.

The Madrigal woman stiffened for a moment. “We don’t see outsiders here often. No obstante, it would be wrong not to help considering your condition. Do you mind explaining to us how you found this place?”

Arturo returned with another glass of water and Wilfredo thanked him. He sipped slower this time while he considered his answer. Wilfredo was sure a full explanation of how they ended up in this predicament would certainly not charm this guarded old woman. He’d have to tread carefully. “Mi hermana and I were traveling to a neighboring city when there was an accident on the road. Our horse got spooked and we got lost in the woods. I saw the light of your village through a crack in the mountains last night.”

The elders exchanged worried glances. A woman with silver braids whispered something to the town's matriarch and was reassured with a whisper.

“Cómo te llamas.” She asked him.

“Wilfredo Fontana Alfaro.” He answered. “Mi hermana Jacqueline was taken to see your curandera.”

The matriarch cut him off with her hand. “Julieta, my daughter. She’ll see to it your sister is well. Will you be ready to leave when she is?”

Wilfredo thought for a moment. “Well…”

“Do you know where you are going?” She asked sternly. What kind of a question was that? He felt like he was being scolded. Who was this woman to scold him?

“If we had a map, I’m sure we could find our way back to the main road.” He replied calmly despite his indignation. The last thing he needed to do was offend the people offering him assistance. Even if it meant swallowing his pride.

“What were you doing traveling the forest on foot?” She asked.

Tread carefully. “I lost my job, Señora.” That was technically true. “I have a new job arranged in Cali, but I don’t start for another three months.” He sipped his water quietly.

"And you didn’t think to take a train?” The woman asked skeptically.

Wilfredo nearly choked on his drink for a moment. How stupid did this woman think he was? “With all due respect, mi hermana and I have fallen on hard times as of late. We were hoping to conserve our funds.” Also partially true. Though he would probably have taken the train had a vindictive mother not hunted down his sister with a shotgun.

The woman rubbed the bridge of her nose irritably as though she’d been struck by a migraine. He could swear he heard her mutter “Idiota”, under her breath, but made no comment. This woman seemed to be the one running things here. She asked every question while her companions regarded him with worry and suspicion.

“What is it you do?” She asked.

“Me?” Wilfredo was a little surprised by the question. It hardly seemed relevant. “I’m a teacher. University level usually. I have taught children before.” A bit of an overstatement. His experience teaching children was very sparse but he was in the habit of saying whatever would expand his job prospects.

The elders whispered amongst each other again for a moment before the Madrigal woman waved him away. “Take him to see Julieta. This man could use something to eat.”

Aurturo offered a hand to help Wilfredo to his feet. He really was exhausted and it was definitely sinking in just how obvious it was. Arturo spoke softly and seemed like a gentle, kind, old fellow. A pleasant contrast to the cold woman.

He brought him to a little stand on the edge of the plaza. There was a bar with a little television where a few people sat. None were watching it however, their eyes were elsewhere. A woman in a blue dress was talking with his sister who seemed to be in much better spirits.

“Wilfredo you have to try this!” Jacqueline gushed as she ran up to him bright-eyed. Attempting to shove an arepa into his face.

Wilfredo waved her hand away in frustration. “I’m not hungry.” Of course, Jacqueline had been exaggerating. Why was he surprised? What had he just agreed to? Was that humiliating inquisition all for nothing?

“I’m serious hermano this food is amazing.” She insisted.

The old man Arturo laughed. “She’s right you know. You should have a bite. You’ll feel better.”

Wilfredo grumbled as he took the arepa from Jacqueline. He somehow doubted a bite to eat would heal his wounded pride. He didn't need food right now he could do without. It wasn't the priority.

He found an open seat at the bar by the television and took a bite of the as his sister watched on with suspicious enthusiasm. He usually was very careful and particular about what he ate and when. That said given their two-day trek in the woods he could afford to be a bit careless today. “Why are you-” He stopped as a wave of relief washed over him. He swallowed the fried bread and stared down at his bruised and battered forearms. Watching the marks disappear from his skin.

He adjusted his glasses and examined himself more closely. The old man laughed again. “Bienvenidos a El Encanto.” He beamed as he took in the newcomer's astonishment. “El pueblo de los milagros.”

“Ciertamente.” Was all Wilfredo could say as he sat in utter bewilderment.

Arturo bid them a friendly farewell before leaving to return to the council.

He looked around as if expecting some explanation to present itself in his environment. The town looked ordinary at first glance. As if the lifted fatigue had sharpened his mind, he only now realized the exceptional feats that surrounded him.

The woman in blue he learned was Julieta Madrigal. She could apparently heal any sickness or injury with her food. Apparently, all the Madrigals were magical as far as his hermanita told it. Though she was easily carried away so perhaps there was something she was missing.

“There has to be some kind of explanation.” He argued with his sister who groaned in frustration.

“It’s magic, it doesn’t need an explanation.” She insisted. She gestured his attention to a puppet theater in the center of the plaza. He only just now realized that was what the adults around him were watching. A gaggle of children sat on the cobblestone laughing at what looked like rats in little costumes. Strange. He watched a curly-haired boy pop his head out from behind the stage only to transform into a middle-aged woman.

Wilfredo sat dumbfounded.

He squinted through foggy lenses. “That’s an impressive trick I’ll give them that.” He mused as he tried to think of how such a transformation could be achieved. He took another bite from what he was quickly realizing was the best arepa he ever tasted. Though perhaps he was just starving. He'd have to factor it in if he had dinner later. Some kind of mask change? Though he could spot no seams or devices that might be used to remove it so quickly.

“Magia! idiota! Why do you have to overthink everything!?” His hermanita whined. Why did she have to act like such a child? This is how he enjoyed things. He liked seeing how things work. Discovering the hidden mechanisms behind the world. Not everyone needed to be as whimsical as her. Perhaps she should have been more grateful for his pragmatic approach to life. It was what kept them both alive all these years.

Wilfredo was quickly distracted from her complaints however as he spotted a new face. When the rats on the stage hit their marks two actors would emerge from either side of the stage to deliver lines. The boy whose face kept changing, and an older man.

The older man looked about his late forties. He had a short scruffy beard and his hazel eyes glimmered with mischief as he delivered his lines. He mostly seemed to play the male characters while the boy played the women. Every line he delivered was enthusiastic and eccentric. He seemed to relish his role as the cartoonish villain of the story they were enacting. He didn’t recognize this story, something original perhaps? He couldn’t help but smile as the man slipped in little jabs no child would have caught onto. The adults around all got a laugh, but there was one joke he wasn’t sure anyone else caught. He felt a kind of childish glee in that moment. A little joke just for him.

“Enjoying the show?” Jacquline disrupted his thoughts with a playful nudge.

He looked over to see a wry grin on her face. Oh no. Was he really that obvious? Or did he really smile so little she could think of no other reason for him to enjoy the presence of another human?

“The jokes are clever.” He retorted stubbornly. He took a large bite of food so as not to have to talk anymore.

The play came to an end with the villain's very melodramatic death and he couldn’t help but resent Jacquline for distracting him from the ending.

“Oh, es bastante gracioso bien.” she agreed.

They both watched as the two performers took a bow. The rats all clambered up onto the older man's shoulders. He bowed low and rewarded his actors with pets and treats from his pockets while the boy began deconstructing the stage.

“Is that it!?” Whined one of the children.

“Hey take it up with Tío Bruno.” The boy replied with a grin. The gaggle of little ones proceeded to bombard the man with questions.

These performances were apparently a weekly occurrence and the kids were used to longer shows. Bruno, the writer, had been short on ideas as of late. He didn’t say as much, but it was easy to infer from his timid half-answers. He really was a small man by the look of it. Amazing how much he could shrink in the face of such juvenile confrontation.

“That’s enough niños.” The healer lady shooed the children away. “Go play. There’ll be plenty more shows in the future.”

Wilfredo couldn't help but find the whole affair endearing as he watched Bruno smile sheepishly at his sister. What an adorable little grin.

“You should go talk to him.” Jacquline whispered to him.

“What? No!” He spun around and scolded his sister in hushed tones. “You’re still in trouble you know! Don’t think you can distract me.”

Jacqueline feigned innocence. “Who me? I was just trying to encourage mi hermano hacer amigos nuevos. We’re in a strange place. It's not a bad idea to be friendly.”

He knew full well what she was really insinuating. He certainly wasn’t engaging with such indecent impulses at a time like this.

He was about to say something else but a stern voice cut him off.

“Señor Fontana?”

He turned to see Señora Madrigal approach with the rest of the council. They seemed to be of mixed emotions. At least kind old Arturo offered a friendly wave as they approached.

The matriarch still lead the conversation.“We’ve been discussing your unfortunate situation.” She looked his sister over. “We thought given the circumstances we might make an offer. We are willing to arrange a place for you to stay for the next few months. Just until you’re ready to start work.”

Wilfredo was deeply put off by the unexpected proposition. “Oh, oh no, no gracias. That isn’t necessary really. We can’t really afford-” The woman cut him off again. All it took was a wave of her hand. The authority she emanated was palpable.

“Save your money. You will work for your room and board. You can save for a train ticket.” There was an edge to her words. He was certain he was being scolded this time.

“That’s a very generous offer.” He replied. Frustrating as it was to be talked down to. “but I would hate to be a burden.”

“YES!” Jacquline insisted enthusiastically. “Tu pueblo is so beautiful! It would be a privilege to live here. Even if it’s just for a little while.” She gushed. Pulling out her polite voice for once.

“Jacqueline!” Wilfredo hissed. He pushed his sister off his shoulder. She had a habit of perching there. “Con el debido respeto, I think this is something we should consider carefully before rushing to a decision.”

The Madrigal woman seemed somewhat pleased with his caution. “Desde luego. Take your time. For now, you two can spend the night with Señor Robledo and inform us of your decision tomorrow morning.”

“I suppose if it’s no trouble. That is very kind of you.” Wilfredo replied. Maintaining a calm friendly smile despite screaming inside. This wasn't part of his plan. None of this was. Jacqueline had thrown a wrench in all of his plans yet again. At least this was better than being homeless.

As the Madrigal woman turned to leave he realized she hadn’t actually told him where he could find her. “Will you be coming by to ask or-”

“Call for Dolores. She’ll relay the message.” The woman replied over her shoulder before nodding to Arturo who led them off.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Señor Robledo as it turned out was the town's very aged librarian whose home was a narrow two-bedroom attached to the library. The second bedroom had belonged to his late daughter. Wilfredo and Jacqueline had quite a time on that first night squeezing all their belongings into the small space. They set up a pallet on the floor and a curtain down the middle of the room. Wilfredo was going to take the floor himself, but his sister volunteered. She insisted she wouldn’t get much use out of the bed once she got acquainted with the town. What was he going to do with her?

︵‿୨ - January 14 1951 - ୧‿︵

“I’m telling you el hombre es un mariposón.” Jacqueline insisted as they made their way toward the town center.

“Baja la voz!” Wilfredo hissed in frustration. “You can’t let people hear you talk like that.” It baffled him sometimes his sister’s lack of situational awareness.

“The Madrigals are magic. They’re obviously the most influential family in town. Pero Bruno? I don’t see a ring on that man’s finger. At his age?”

Wilfredo straightened his cuffs irritably as they walked. No matter how often he tugged at them his sleeves fell slightly short of where they should rest. “There’s a lot of reasons for a man to stay single, Jacqueline.” He was growing increasingly impatient with this conversation. His sister was a promiscuous type and seemed especially committed to roping him into her antics ever since she caught him staring.

“I don’t know why you’re playing dumb.” Jacqueline insisted.

“Because I don’t want to sleep in the woods.” He replied dryly as they approached the bustling plaza.

Wilfredo rolled his eyes as his hermanita trotted off ahead of him. She could have her fun. He wanted no part of it. He took the opportunity to enjoy the momentary quiet and take in the town. Most of the games and music and food were further down the road. Every house was decorated with candles in windows and on doorsteps. They all had patterns carved into them. Some detailed and carefully crafted others had crude children's drawings. It was charming. He couldn’t help but smile a little as he leaned down to get a closer look at a candle that had been decorated with little stick-figure donkeys. At least they looked like donkeys. As someone who never really got to be a child, he was always so endeared by childish things. He envied those who knew how to embrace life's pleasures with reckless abandon. As much as his sister could be a pain, his life would be so much emptier without her in it.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been taking in the scenery when a timid voice called out to him.

“Oh, there you are.”

He looked up to see the man who’d captured his fascination on his first day in this town.

Bruno was short and lithe. His dark curls flecked with salt and pepper were tied back in a small tuft of a ponytail at the nape of his neck. The ruana he wore was colorful and filled with a childish spark though his soft eyes had a faintly haunting look to them. Almost as if he were some specter trying his best not to frighten people. The tender smile on this man's weathered features was something he hadn’t been prepared for.

Wilfredo pushed himself up from the crouch he was in and put on a polite urbanite smile. A relaxed, practiced, posture that concealed the embarrassing way this man's face affected him.

“You were looking for me?” He asked. Flattering as it was, he hoped the answer was no. He hoped he was of no special interest to Bruno. Bruno was a good man. A good man shouldn't be interested in him.

“Oh, uh, no I mean, well… Sort of?” Bruno started pulling on his ruana as he took a step back. Wilfredo froze up a little in place. He hadn’t meant to frighten him. Had he given something away?

“Tu hermana already stopped by to say hi and told me to see what was taking you.” He explained finally after a rat emerged from his collar to nibble at his cheek. Bruno took the rat down from his shoulder and stroked its back gently before looking back up at Wilfredo. “You said you didn’t mind the rats.” He smiled awkwardly. As though he felt the need to justify enjoying his pet in public.

Wilfredo adjusted his glasses before composing himself. Finally taking a step closer. “Por supuesto que no. Don’t neglect your furry friends for my sake.” He laughed in the hopes of disarming the delicate creature in front of him. “Mi hermanita’s always in such a hurry to party. We should try and catch up to her before she causes any trouble.”

“Trouble?” Bruno inquired.

Wilfredo cursed himself for his choice of words. “Don’t tell Señora Madrigal, but mi hermanita has a bit of a history. I’m sure la matriarca would be less welcoming if she knew.” Bruno seemed like someone who would be a bit more understanding. He wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was his eccentric nature that led Wilfredo to assume he was no stranger to misunderstandings.

“Oh, mi madre. Sí, she’s a strict woman. I wouldn’t worry too much. Mientras la trates bien you should be fine.” Bruno seemed awfully quick to reinforce Wilfredo’s assessment of the woman. Bruno looked back up at him as they walked along. Still slouched terribly. “So what held you up?”

“I was just admiring the decorations.” He explained.

“Right. Every year people like to create their own little miracles. Almost makes the town feel like family for a night.” Bruno mused as he doted on one of his furry creatures. Wilfredo noticed a couple more rats hiding out on his person but chose not to draw attention to them.

“Miracle candles?”

“Oh, sí. Mi familia, we were given a miracle. An enchanted candle that gives us our gifts. It’s uh... m-maybe that doesn't make that much sense to an outsider.” Bruno seemed to grow shy at the mention of their “gifts” as he put it. Wilfredo wondered if it would be imprudent to press further. He was curious of course. No, curious was an understatement. He recently discovered real magic! Deep down he was dying to know. It was eating away at him but the need for self-preservation exceeded his thirst for knowledge. If asking too many questions could risk his security in this place then he would refrain as best he could.

They walked along in silence for a moment before Bruno peered up at him again. His eyes shimmered a vibrant emerald green whenever the warm candlelight hit them. He gave Wilfredo an awkward smile. Clearly trying to keep the conversation going. “Really making the rest of us feel underdressed huh?” He laughed awkwardly as he set the rat he was holding scurry back up his right shoulder.

Wilfredo folded his arms behind his back as he walked. He flashed a confident smile. “I’ve not gotten a chance to properly introduce myself to the town as of yet. I thought it best to make a good impression. I pride myself on such things.”

“Ah, sí. That makes sense. I mean what would I know about that?” Bruno rubbed his arm and looked away. He looked insecure. “Mi hermana Pepa says I look like un vago. I can’t exactly say she’s wrong.”

Bruno’s self-deprecating remarks hurt to listen to. Even if it may have been partially true. Admittedly Bruno was a rather disheveled person. Clean though they were, his unruly curls refused to stay in his ponytail and still hung in his face most of the time. Wilfredo wasn’t sure if that was simply their nature or perhaps his clumsy flailing was so commonplace as to make maintaining a proper hairstyle near impossible. If their meeting at the library was anything to go by, it seemed a distinct possibility. His scruffy beard also looked less like an intentional style decision and more like he struggled with a razor. He was tempted to suspect the latter as he noticed slightly uneven patches in the salt and pepper that flecked the man's jawline. His clothes were nice, though it looked like he never ironed them. His ruana was covered in chaotic, colorful, doodles. A cacophony of seemingly disparate imagery. Animals, butterflies, rainbows, flowers, herbs, and geometric patterns all danced around the hourglasses that made for the only uniform pattern.

“I think your sister lacks gusto.” Wilfredo replied after giving it some thought. “Some people lack an eye for beauty.” Bruno really was beautiful. Disheveled and timid, but he was perhaps the prettiest man Wilfredo had met. Sure he'd seen more conventionally attractive men. He'd been with more conventionally attractive men. Non that captured that same fragility. He had a keen awareness of just how little men tended to read into such statements. Perhaps it was a gamble to be so forward, but he highly doubted he’d given anything away. This man could clearly use the confidence boost. Even if a part of him knew such words would have meant more had they come from a woman.

Bruno nearly tripped over his own feet and face-planted into the pavement.

Wilfredo couldn’t help to reach his arms out to catch him. thankfully Bruno managed to steady himself just shy of making contact. He felt a panic creep in as seconds felt like minutes. Had he just made a mistake?

“Estoy bien.” Bruno let out a nasally honk before clearing his throat and regaining his balance. “Estoy bien.”

Wilfredo stayed frozen as he was. Awaiting some sign he was safe.

Bruno seemed to fumble backward a bit. Making eye contact and he seemed suddenly aware of the close proximity between them.

“I think beauty might be a bit of an overstatement don’t you think.” He chuckled awkwardly. The same anxious laugh he’d heard multiple times now. The laugh he gave when he was looking to defuse a situation. That laugh put Wilfredo a little at ease. Only a little.

Wilfredo straightened up and brushed a few creases from his suit. He replied cautiously. “I am rather fond of the arts. I appreciate creative people.” That wasn’t what he had meant. Looking at those glittering emeralds that stared back at him... He knew that wasn’t what he had meant.

“ah s-sí. That makes more sense.” Bruno grinned sheepishly as he rubbed his arm.

“What did you think I meant?”

“Oh hey look, a distraction!”

Wilfredo stood dumbfounded as Bruno darted off into the plaza. Waving back for him to follow. Despite himself, Wilfredo darted off after him without thinking. Why were they running? What just happened?!

Bruno was surprisingly quick on his feet. Wilfredo had to stop to catch his breath once he caught up to him. Bruno looked around the plaza excitedly and Wilfredo tried to compose himself enough to get a sentence out. The plaza was filled with laughter and music and dancing. Twinkling lights and colorful decorations.

“What are we looking at exactly?” He finally asked. Trying his best to mask his confusion and irritation.

“Oh, uh, I thought I saw Jacqueline, but I guess not.” Bruno replied awkwardly.

Had Bruno known what he meant? How was he meant to interpret this distraction?

A pair of children darted between them. Covered in some colorful substance and squealing wildly.

“You think you can escape?!” Came raucous woman’s voice.

Wilfredo turned to see a young woman bombarding laughing children with bright mists of color. The cobblestone had been consumed with succulents and flowers where she stood. The colorful woman laughed maniacally before her eyes locked onto the two men.

“What’s this? A new challenger approaches.”

Bruno held his hands up in front of him in surrender “Ey sobrina, you seen Jacqueline?”

The girl's hands filled with what looked like seed pods though Wilfredo couldn’t identify the species from the distance she was standing. The foliage at her feet expanded outward. Roots and vines creeping over the cobblestone. More magic. Don't ask. Just accept it.

“All I see is mi Tío in need of a new coat of paint.”

Wilfredo adjusted his glasses as he took in the sight. Attempting to formulate a response. It had been a little over a week and he’d seen shapeshifting, healing arepas, a child who could talk to animals, a woman carrying buildings and beasts of burden all while hardly leaving the library. Still this would take getting used to. He straightened up and attempted to introduce himself.

Before he could open his mouth to speak he felt a soft slightly clammy hand grab hold of his own as he was yanked violently to the side. A massive cloud of blue erupted from the ground where he had been standing. It took a moment to register what just happened. He'd been spun around to the opposite side of his scrawny companion.

“Ten cuidado con él.” Bruno requested gently.

“NO! SIN PIEDAD!” She cackled before bombarding them with more explosions of vibrant color.

Wilfredo barely had time to register the chaos. He found himself being dragged, pushed, and shoved about the plaza as Bruno dodged his niece's attacks. Eventually, Wilfredo found himself unceremoniously shoved into a stand full of firecrackers. The two Madrigals seemed to lose track of him completely and ran off without him. The man at the fireworks stall laughed heartily while Wilfredo tried to collect himself.

“Struggling to keep up?”

Wilfredo grumbled as he cleaned a bit of stray pollen from his glasses. He looked around for the infamous rat-man. “Are all your festivals this chaotic?” He grumbled despite his usual propensity for self-restraint.

The pudgy mustached man walked over to pick up a few sparklers that had fallen on the ground in the collision. “Didn’t use to be this wild. Isa’s really been letting loose these days. The kids love it though.”

Wilfredo finally spotted Bruno. He managed to swing up onto a nearby balcony to taunt Isabela. He was somewhat astonished by the man's athleticism. Not something he would have expected from such a shy clumsy person. Amazing how much his demeanor seemed to change under the right conditions.

Bruno blew farts with his tongue down at the frustrated girl. “Is that the best you can do? I’m falling asleep over here.” He gave an exaggerated yawn. “At least give me a challenge.”

Isabela stomped her foot. “Get down from there. Abuela says I’m not allowed to aim too close to the windows.”

“Well that sounds like your problem, doesn’t it?”

Wilfredo sighed with relief. He ran his hand through his hair and considered his options. It looked like whatever moment the two of them had shared earlier was over. Perhaps that was for the better. Bruno would forget about their awkward interaction and he could go back to babysitting his hermanita. Speaking of, they were supposed to be looking for Jacqueline. He figured he should probably find her before she got into some sort of trouble.

He made his way over toward the bickering Madrigals to inform his new friend of his departure. “I think I should go find Jacqueline and see what she wants.” Isabela turned to smile at him wickedly before he could finish the thought. It didn’t take a genius to see what she was thinking.

“Oh, no it’s fine I was just leaving.” He attempted to decline politely. Taking a tentative step back.

PFSHH!

Great. Who knows how long it would take to wash the stains out? When he opened his eyes, however, Wilfredo found he was surprisingly clean. Bruno as it turns out had jumped down to block the attack and was now coated in purple.

Bruno stood there with his arms still extended as he blinked the purple plant matter from his eyes. Letting loose a little puff from his mouth.

“HA! I win.” Isabela chirped as she trotted up to them gleefully.

Bruno dropped his arms and rubbed more pollen from his eyes.

“Only because you cheated.”

“That sounds like your problem.” She retorted as she grinned back at her tío. She looked past Bruno and made eye contact with Wilfredo. Her manic glee seemed to die down as she properly registered his personhood. “So you’re the new guy huh?”

“Oh, yes. I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself.”

“This is Wilfredo.” Bruno interrupted. “We were trying to track down su hermana Jacqueline. Now that you’re done using me as a canvas, I don’t suppose you’ve seen her around?”

Isabela seemed to think for a moment. “Hmm, she’s the blue-eyed woman in the red skirt, right? I think I saw her head towards the bridge with a couple of cabrons earlier.” Isabela didn’t sound impressed with her first impression of Jacqueline.

Typical. Leave it to his sister to sour the opinions of the most powerful people in town.

“I’ll see if I can’t track her down.” Wilfredo turned to Bruno. “I’ll let you two enjoy your night. It was nice seeing you again.”

Bruno looked hurt. It surprised him a bit. He figured this wild distraction had just been an opportunity to put some distance between them. He was wrong. Why was he wrong?

“W-we can look together. I didn’t mean to get sidetracked.” Bruno attempted to brush the purple pollen from his face only to smear it around. “I kind of assumed I’d be showing you around town.”

Bruno began to stumble over himself. “I-I mean if you j-just, if you don’t want to…”

Isabela prodded her tío’s back forcing him into an upright posture. He had begun to shrink again.

“Tío already told Camilo he was spending the festival with his new friend and wouldn’t have time to do a show together. Mi primo’s gonna be real disappointed in him if he doesn’t follow through.”

Was this girl seriously talking about her uncle like he was a shy little boy? Bruno looked embarrassed but just let that slide. Wilfredo would never let a child talk to him that way.

“Vamos, en camino.” Bruno gestured towards a bridge that left the plaza.

Isabela teased her tío playfully as they made their retreat. Returning to a few little ones who caught her attention once they were out of range.

“I didn’t mean to get distracted.” Bruno said once they were out of Isabela’s earshot. “She’s been expressing herself a lot more lately. I’ve been doing my best to be supportive. You know how it is.”

“That’s very sweet of you.” Wilfredo watched as Bruno’s rats licked at the purple mist only to screw up their faces.

“Not really. That’s just what you do for family.” Such a simple answer.

Wilfredo looked around till he spotted a table with drinks for folks who wore themselves out dancing and playing games.

“Hold that thought.”

Bruno looked a bit confused as he went to fill a paper cup from a pitcher of water and searched his front pockets.

He quickly found his handkerchief and gestured Bruno over towards the bridge. He hoisted himself up onto the wall to keep out of the way of foot traffic. After setting the water down he gestured to the spot beside him. Bruno did as instructed and sat on the wall next to him. He clasped his hands together between his knees and looked up at Wilfredo expectantly.

Despite his apparent age, he looked almost childlike. His eyes were round as dinner plates. The lights were dimmer here and his hazel eyes turned a warm brown. Wilfredo cleared his throat and reached down for the water. He’d have to minimize eye contact if Bruno was going to look at him like that.

“I thought we were looking for Jacqueline?”

Wilfredo dipped his handkerchief into the cup. “Between you and me, I have a sneaking suspicion she won’t be missing our presence.”

Bruno let out a charming little half laugh half snort.

Wilfredo reached out towards his face with his now wet handkerchief and Bruno pulled back in surprise at first. Wilfredo pulled back as well. He was about to ask. To his surprise, Bruno, seemingly having registered what he was trying to do, leaned in closer.

“You can do it yourself if you want.” Wilfredo offered. He felt a little ashamed of himself for being so eggar to touch this man’s face. He'd have to restrain himself. He could look. That was all. He couldn't let himself forget that.

“It’s fine. It’s not like I can see what I’m doing.” Bruno made a fair point. Or perhaps Wilfredo couldn't resist the selfish urge to touch him.

Despite his consent, Wilfredo couldn’t help but notice how Bruno would flinch under his touch. Every time it felt like a thorn pierced his chest. One of Bruno’s rats scurried into his arms and began receiving absentminded pets. It seemed as though the animals could sense their owner's distress. He did his best to be gentle and try to make conversation in the hopes of easing the awkwardness of the situation.

“Miracles huh?” He asked.

Bruno looked up at him with a pensive expression. “I guess you’ll want to know the whole story?” He asked.

Wilfredo was curious, but Bruno’s timid demeanor earlier had caused him pause. “This is the celebration of the town's founding.” He said carefully. “Maybe you could tell me about that?” Bruno didn’t seem to want to discuss the magic and Wilfredo didn’t want to push him any further out of his comfort zone than he already had.

Bruno chuckled. “Pues, milagros, El Encanto, it’s all the same thing really.”

Of course it was. Wilfredo pulled back as he finished cleaning Bruno’s face.

Bruno nuzzled the rat in his hand before he spoke.

“I should probably start with introductions.” Bruno smiled proudly as he pointed to various family members scattered about the plaza and down the busy main street. The girl assaulting the town with color was Isabela as he’d already learned. Bruno’s oldest sobrina could grow plants and “has a real wild streak in her.”

The boy putting on a one-man show down the street with his many faces was Camilo. Bruno had introduced him before. The little one who flooded the space around his stage with animals was his hermanito Antonio. Wilfredo met him once before when he came to visit the library. According to Bruno, he was a very sensitive and kind child. Camilo seemed deeply supportive as he managed to work his hermano's animal friends into his improv routine.

A large woman, who he’d seen doing manual labor around town a few times, was trying to learn a dance from a woman in yellow. Luisa and Pepa. His hermana and sobrina respectively. Bruno was quick to clarify she was not Pepa’s daughter however but his other sister Julieta's daughter. Luisa was the strong one, Pepa could control the weather “When she’s in the mood.” and Julieta could heal the town with her cooking as Wilfredo had learned on his first day.

Bruno seemed to beam when he talked about his family and their amazing talents. He pointed to a dunk tank where a smartly dressed man had his suit ruined much to the amusement of a stocky fellow in yellow. “Those are mis cuñados.” He explained. The stocky one Félix was married to Pepa and Agustín, the clumsy one, had married Julieta.

“Then there’s Dolores of course who’s…” Bruno looked around curiously for his sobrina. “Actually I don’t know where she is right now.”

Wilfredo did his best to listen attentively and try to remember every Madrigal. He wanted so badly to pull out his notebook and write it all down but he'd left it at home. Besides, he was well aware of how dehumanizing it would probably feel to have someone taking notes on your family like a science experiment.

“Tío Bruno!” Came a voice that cut through the night like a beam of sunshine. That must be Mirabel. Bruno had mentioned her multiple times amidst his rambling. He seemed to love all his sobrinos but Mirabel somehow made it into every anecdote.

Wilfredo looked up to see the curly-haired girl trot over. She hugged her tío and smile at him from behind green round-rimmed glasses.

“This must be tu nuevo amigo.” Her smile was infectious. Wilfredo couldn’t help but smile back and give her a gentle little wave.

“Uh, sí. Mirabel, this is Wilfredo.” Bruno introduced him awkwardly.

Wilfredo offered her a hand to shake. She seemed a bit surprised by the formality but took his hand with a surprisingly firm grasp.

“Su tío speaks very highly of you.”

Bruno and Mirabel both looked away from each other shyly. He wondered if he’d said something inappropriate.

“Is that so?” Mirabel gave her tío a cheeky smile.

“I was just telling him about la familia.” Bruno clarified.

“Before you ask. I didn’t get a gift.” Mirabel intruded.

Wilfredo wasn’t going to ask but that did send him reeling with more than a few questions. He opened his mouth as if to ask a follow-up but closed it when he couldn’t think of where to start.

Mirabel gave Bruno a gentle punch on the shoulder. “Abuela is going to want to talk to you both before the night is out.”

“Oh, estoy seguro.” Bruno sighed.

“Just making sure you're ready for that.”

“I’m fine.” Bruno insisted before playfully waving off his sobrina. ��Now go, shoo, go play, have fun while you still have the time.” He insisted.

Mirabel chuckled and rolled her eyes before returning to the festivities.

“So what was that about? If you don’t mind my asking.” Wilfredo inquired.

Bruno looked out at the twinkling lights and thought for a moment before he responded. “Mi Madre… She's a difficult woman. I don’t make many friends so mi familia’s made somewhat of a spectacle of me. It’s no wonder she wants to talk to you. Don’t feel too bad if she’s not impressed.”

Wilfredo looked back at Bruno. His eyes traced along the subtle age lines on the man's face as he stared into space with a stoic expression. That explained a lot. A domineering mother. A timid son. Bruno wasn’t so timid when he spoke of the things he loved. Wilfredo loved seeing that light in his eyes. Hearing the cheer in his voice. The mention of his mother dimmed that spark so quickly.

Wilfredo didn't make many friends either. His mother wouldn't have allowed it. He has many acquaintances. People who might have called him a friend, but no one stayed in his life for long. It was how he preferred it anyway. Life was easier that way.

“She seemed friendly when last we spoke.” He still recalled the Madrigal woman. His introduction to the council the day he and his hermanita came to town. The woman seemed condescending and cold that first day. He wasn’t going to tell Bruno that.

“She is.” Bruno corrected anxiously as if he thought he might have given the wrong impression. “She’s just strict is all.”

“Then I better be on my best behavior, eh?” Wilfredo laughed as he nudged Bruno playfully.

Bruno rubbed at his arm with an awkward smile. He struggled to maintain it though. “She’s the reason this place exists.” He explained.

For all his enthusiasm bragging about his family Bruno had yet to explain how the town was founded. One of the few questions Wilfredo had actually asked. He suddenly suspected the answer might not be a pleasant one.

“Guerra de los Mil Días.” Bruno spoke softly. “They lost their home, everyone did. I was just a baby when it all happened. I lost mi padre that day.” He paused for a moment as he looked down at the cobblestone below their feet. “The miracle was born out of his sacrifice, mi madre’s prayer…”

“Lo siento.” Wilfredo was at a loss for anything better to say. He had so many questions in the back of his mind. The academic in him was reeling at the evidence of honest to god divine intervention. Unfortunately he revelation had to wait. The pain in his companion's eyes drowned out all other thoughts.

“Oh, no pasa nada. Estoy bien. It’s not like I knew him right? You can’t miss someone you never knew.” Bruno didn’t seem very convinced by his own words. A cold shiver seemed to overtake him for a moment as he hurried out a stipulation. “Don’t tell Ma I said that.”

“I would never.” Wilfredo purred. Bruno smiled back and it felt so warm.

Bruno seemed to regain his focus and gestured around the space. “The miracle gave us all of this. The mountains. The magic. Our Castia…” Bruno stopped and his eyes lit up as though he was about to launch into another familiar introduction “You haven’t seen Casita yet have you?”

Wilfredo had already lost track of his thoughts. His mind had wandered somewhere unexpected. “Tu padre debe haberte amado realmente.” He couldn’t help the words that tumbled out.

Bruno froze. His hazel eyes grew glassy in the low light. Wilfredo immediately regretted his lack of self-control.

“I-I didn’t mean to..” It was his turn to stutter for once. He'd surprised himself with his own sincerity. He wasn't expecting Bruno's story to hit him the way it did. He wasn't prepared for the places his mind went.

“No, no te preocupes.” Bruno replied gently.

There was an odd silence. Almost deafening before the sensation of tiny paws on Wilfredo’s hand nearly made him jump. He lifted his hand to find a small rat clinging to it. The little creature examined him as he lifted it up to eye level.

“Oye vaya!” Bruno exclaimed as two other rats stared Wilfredo down from either shoulder. “Beatrice is usually very shy. She must really like you.”

Wilfredo eyed the little rat curiously. She sniffed at his nose. He gently reached a hand up to pet her with the tip of his finger. She ducked first and he was about to pull away before she reached her head out to receive his pets. It was oddly soothing. She was small. Almost blueish in color.

“You’re lucky. My parents never let me have any pets. I'm pretty sure a rat in the house would have given mi madre a heart attack.” He replied sadly.

“Why didn’t you get one when you moved out? A pet I mean, not, like, a rat specifically.”

“Oh, we weren’t in a good place at the time. It’s never really been a good time.” Wilfredo felt a bitterness rise in his chest. “You have a good life here. A stable home with good people. Never take that for granted.”

“I don’t.”

Bruno’s reply was surprising. Not what he said, but how he said it. Bruno had this oddly intense look in his eyes for a moment as he looked him over. There was something bitter in that gaze. Bruno was often timid and unsure of himself but this was something else. It looked like he might have been considering his words before he looked away and returned with something that seemed unrelated.

“H-Have you ever felt... out of place, in your own home?” He asked as he looked up at the stars. His tone was shockingly cold.

Beatrice the rat leaped down from Wilfredo's hand and ran back to Bruno. She snuggled into him agressively. The rats on his shoulders seemed to grow similarly affectionate all of the sudden.

Wilfredo considered those words carefully... “Everyday.” He finally replied. He wasn’t normally one to open up too much about himself. Something about those words struck so close to his core. He couldn't help but give this man something. Something of himself, if only just something small.

“I attended a boarding school.” He explained. “My parents didn’t live far but they weren’t very interested in seeing me most of the time. Whenever I was home it was mostly for show.” He paused and contemplated how best to share. How much. “Leaving was… The best and the worst thing that ever happened to me.”

Bruno looked back to stare into the river bitterly. “So they just let you leave?”

Wilfredo was hesitant to answer. “Something like that, sí.”

Bruno took a deep breath in before tucking Beatrice back into his front pocket. He hopped down off the wall. “We should go see what Mamá wants.”

Wilfredo felt a little sad the conversation was over so soon. It was for the better. Best to keep things breezy after all. Best not to dwell on the painfully familiar bitterness that had passed over his companion like a specter.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Bruno led him down the road to a more open space where the town bordered the woods. Tables had been set out for people to eat and drink. It was quieter here than in the noisy plaza where people danced and played games. It didn’t take long to recognize Julieta and Señora Madrigal chatting by the buffet table.

“Bruno there you are.” The elderly woman called out.

“Sí Mamá. You wanted to talk to me?”

Señora Madrigal patted some of the purple dust from her son’s clothes as he approached. “I just wanted to see how you and the newcomers were getting along.”

She looked over at Wilfredo. “You clean up well, Señor Fontana.”

Wilfredo gave her a courteous nod. “You caught me on a bad day, Señora. I’d hate to miss a chance to correct any misgivings you may have had.”

The elderly woman eyed him up and down skeptically.

“Your son’s been teaching me about the town and its history. The way he tells it you sound like a truly incredible woman.” Wilfredo smiled confidently. Feeling a slight twinge of pride as he watched her face soften. She straightened her shawl as she smiled back.

“We all do our best.”

His flattery had the desired effect. Unfortunately, he couldn’t help but notice Bruno’s expression out of the corner of his eye. This confused wide-eyed look. Just subtle enough his mother didn’t seem to notice. Bruno had caught him being just a tad dishonest. He wondered if that would hurt Bruno’s impression of him. No matter. This woman ran the town and impressing upon her was of greater importance. It still hurt though, knowing Bruno would know he was a liar.

Wilfredo reached out to grab a snack from the table. He didn't intend to eat more than a bite or two. Just to share in the festivities. He felt a slight anxiety as he caught snickering from his new companions. He tried not to second guess himself and took a bite. He turned to shoot Bruno a confused glance before the taste hit him. This was not the wonderful food that had healed his bruises. This was something else entirely. Something entirely rotten and foul. A creatively horrible assault on the senses that boggled the mind. He cleared his throat slightly as he struggled not to make a face and risk insulting the cook. Julieta was standing right there, and she was... laughing? It was slight as she tried to hide behind her hand.

Bruno burst out into roaring laughter. Julieta joined in shortly after. Even frigid Señora Madrigal seemed to stifle a snicker.

“I don’t get it.” He choked out as politely as he could manage. “What’s so funny?”

“That’s not Juileta’s cooking hombre.” Bruno managed to compose himself enough to get the words out.

Julieta passed him a pastry from a different tray. “Here these are mine. I wouldn’t recommend you taste the other contestants' food unless you’re muy valiente.”

“Contestants?” He repeated cluelessly as he took a cautious bite of her offering. The delicious coconut flavor was an amazing relief.

“We have a cooking competition every year, but Juileta kept winning so folks started competing to see who could make the worst dish.” Wilfredo couldn’t help but notice the adoring look he gave his sister. Bragging lovingly about her skill.

“I think it’s all very silly.” Julieta blushed as she adjusted the bun at the top of her head.

Señora Madrigal cleared her throat. “Agreed. Sino the town seems to enjoy this silly tradition and there’s little harm in it.” She looked around for a moment curiously before changing the subject. “Where is tu hermana? I keep hearing whispers about her around town. I’ve yet to check in with her.”

Whispers. Of course. Why did he expect any different?

“Whispers huh?” Wilfredo hid his anxiety with great expertise.

“She does seem to leave a strong impression on people.” Señora Madrigal was difficult to read.

Sensing the tension Julieta was quick to interject. “I heard from Antonio about your work on the library. He really likes the reading space you set up.”

The littlest madrigal had come to visit him in the library before looking for books on animals. Wilfredo had been making some quality-of-life changes to the space once he’d finished organizing the place. He refurbished some old chairs and set out some rugs and pillows in the corner of the library. The boy had come by looking for something to read to his pets. He spent the whole afternoon cleaning stains out of the rugs. Still, he had to admit the child was rather charming.

“I’m glad. I’ve not had many kids come by the library. He seems like a bright child.”

“Oh, he is. He came up with half the stage commands we use in our shows.” Wilfredo saw that light in Bruno’s eyes that prepared him for an exciting ramble. Turning vibrant green under the lanterns as he bragged about his sobrino. It was terribly sweet how much he beamed over his sisters' children. Tragically, before Bruno could launch into an explanation of rat dances, a loud crack ripped across the space and disrupted his rambling.

The sound of thunder was startling absent any natural context and drew Wilfredo's attention to the end of a residential street. There she was. Jacqueline had finally rejoined his night. He felt a pit in his stomach as he watched her rush over with her hair standing on end.

“WILFREDO! ESTA PERRA LOCA!”

And there went any attempts at endearing himself to the town's matriarch...

Jacqueline rushed over and grabbed him by the arm. She was barely shorter than him but hid behind him all the same. Hissing back in the direction she came. “This woman’s trying to kill me hermano!”

Wilfredo let out a deep exasperated sigh. He pulled his arm away and turned to look his sister over. He took her arm aside to find burn marks. When he pulled her pouty face to meet his it was clear she’d been drinking.

“Jacqueline, what did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything.” She replied indignantly. “These people are completely unreasonable.” She pouted. She turned to notice the matriarch standing beside her. “Oh, hola Señora Madrigal.”

Señora Madrigal leaned in slightly to get a look at the burns on his sister's arm. Wilfredo was about to apologize for his sister's misbehavior only to be surprised by what came next.

“This looks like Pepa’s doing.” She remarked.

“Here.” Julieta passed Jacqueline one of her confectioneries, “Perdón, mi hermana has a bit of a temper.”

“Sí, she threw me into a tree once with a hurricane. Took Ma all day to get me down.” Bruno chuckled.

Wilfredo watched the burns on his hermanita's arm heal and slowly released his grip on her. He hadn’t meant to grip her so tight. The reassuring smiles from Bruno and Julieta were a relief. Their mother groaned as she recalled the tree escapade.

Then there she was the woman in yellow herself. Pepa stormed up to the group in a rage. A dark thundering cloud followed overhead and a delicate girl in a red bow followed behind.

Jacqueline nearly dropped her snack as she let out a terrified squeak and hid behind her brother’s ample mass.

The girl in the bow tried to soothe her mother but to no avail.

“If you ever go near el novio de mi bebé again I’ll make sure you regret ever setting foot in this town!” The enraged mother stormed. Pointing a judgmental finger at the offending woman.

Jacqueline nibbled at the pastry in her hand and glared back at her over Wilfredo’s shoulder. “How was I supposed to know he was spoken for?”

Pepa looked flabbergasted as she stammered, grasping for words, “He’s a baby you should know better tu puta!”

“Pepa! Language.” Her mother chided.

“He’s twenty-three Pepa.” Her brother corrected. It was obvious Pepa wasn’t being literal but Bruno seemed frustrated with her exaggerations.

“Sí! And he’s too young to want anything to do with la solterona!”

“Oh really?” Jacqueline was clearly offended as she emerged from her brother’s shadow to confront Pepa.

Wilfredo impulsively took his sister by the shoulders, “Tranquila hermanita.” He soothed as she growled under his grip. She let her hackles down a bit. Eying her aggressor up and down. “If I’m so old and ugly then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about right?”

Jacqueline was thirty-eight and she was far from ugly. Not that Wilfredo was the best judge of female beauty. He didn't have to be. He was well aware of the dark magic she cast over every man within a ten-mile radius.

The two women stared each other down. The electricity crackled around them. Pepa was tall but only an inch or so taller than Jacqueline. She may not have had any magic but this insult to her womanly wiles had given her newfound confidence.

“Pepi, mi amor, what happened?” The husky fellow Wilfredo saw at the dunk tank earlier came over with a worried expression and a gentle tone.

“This-” Pepa cut off as she looked back at her mother who shot her a stern look. “Chica!” she spat out finally. “Was trying to flirt with Mariano.”

Félix chuckled as he took hold of his irritable wife. Gently brushing a clump of stray curls from her face. “Easy mi vida. It’s a party. I'm sure she didn’t mean any harm.”

Wilfredo quickly cupped a hand over his sister's mouth before she could reply. “Jacqueline’s an overly friendly person. It’s not the first time there’s been a misunderstanding like this.” He glared down at her. “And I’m sure she’s muy arrepentido.” He warned. Jacqueline glared back at him but got the message.

“Perdóname.” She sighed once he released her face.

“Sí, don’t let it happen again.” Pepa huffed before allowing her husband to lead her away to calm down.

The girl in the bow watched her mother leave then looked back to the rest of the group.

“Dolores I assume?” Wilfredo offered her his hand. “Lo siento. We didn’t mean to disrupt your night.”

Dolores eyed him for a moment with a look that was difficult to read. Then it dawned on him.

When they had made up their mind to accept the council’s offer Señor Robledo had dismissed his concerns over meeting with the council. He simply asked, “Dolores, did you get that?” Seemingly to no one in particular. At first Wilfredo had thought the old man might have been a bit senile. That was until he explained to him. Dolores hears everything.

She took his hand gingerly. “It’s no trouble. It’s good to finally meet you both. You two have been the talk of the town lately.” She glanced back over to her tío for a brief moment.

Did she know?

#encanto #bruno madrigal #encanto oc #encanto original character #wilfredo fontana #tlaa #jacqueline fontana

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newstfionline · 1 year

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Sunday, June 25, 2023

The World’s Empty Office Buildings Have Become a Debt Time Bomb (Bloomberg) In New York and London, owners of gleaming office towers are walking away from their debt rather than pouring good money after bad. The landlords of downtown San Francisco’s largest mall have abandoned it. A new Hong Kong skyscraper is only a quarter leased. The creeping rot inside commercial real estate is like a dark seam running through the global economy. Even as stock markets rally and investors are hopeful that the fastest interest-rate increases in a generation will ebb, the trouble in property is set to play out for years. After a long buying binge fueled by cheap debt, owners and lenders are grappling with changes in how and where people work, shop and live in the wake of the pandemic. At the same time, higher interest rates are making it more expensive to buy or refinance buildings. A tipping point is coming: In the US alone, about $1.4 trillion of commercial real estate loans are due this year and next, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. When the deadline arrives, owners facing large principal payments may prefer to default instead of borrowing again to pay the bill.

Inflation, health costs, partisan cooperation among the nation’s top problems (Pew Research Center) Inflation remains the top concern for Republicans in the U.S., with 77% saying it’s a very big problem. Gun violence is the top issue for Democrats: 81% rank it as a very big problem. When it comes to policy, more Americans agree with the Republican Party than the Democratic Party on the economy, crime and immigration, while the Democratic Party holds the edge on abortion, health care and climate change.

The Brown Bag Lady serves meals and dignity to L.A.’s homeless (USA Today) A Los Angeles woman, known affectionately as the Brown Bag Lady, is serving the city’s unhoused population with enticing meals and a sprinkle of inspiration for dessert. Jacqueline Norvell started cooking meals for people on L.A.’s Skid Row about 10 years ago in her two-bedroom apartment after getting some extra money from her Christmas pay check. She bought several turkeys and prepared all the fixings for about 70 people, driving to one of L.A.’s most high-risk areas to hand out the meals. “We just parked on a corner,” said Norvell. “And we were swarmed.” She says people were grateful and she realized the significant demand. Norvell’s been cooking tasty creations ever since. Norvell garnishes each dish with love and some words of encouragement. In addition to the nourishment, each bag or box has an inspirational quote. “We’ve got to help each other out,” she said. “We have to.”

Facing Brutal Heat, the Texas Electric Grid Has an Ally: ‌Solar Power (NYT) Strafed by powerful storms and superheated by a dome of hot air, Texas has been enduring a dangerous early heat wave this week that has broken temperature records and strained the state’s independent power grid. But the lights and air conditioning have stayed on across the state, in large part because of an unlikely new reality in the nation’s premier oil and gas state: Texas is fast becoming a leader in solar power. The amount of solar energy generated in Texas has doubled since the start of last year. And it is set to roughly double again by the end of next year, according to data from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. “Solar is producing 15 percent of total energy right now,” Joshua Rhodes, a research scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, said on a sweltering day in the state capital last week, when a larger-than-usual share of power was coming from the sun. So far this year, about 7 percent of the electric power used in Texas has come from solar, and 31 percent from wind. The state’s increasing reliance on renewable energy has caused some Texas lawmakers, mindful of the reliable production and revenues from oil and gas, to worry. “It’s definitely ruffling some feathers,” Dr. Rhodes said.

Guatemalans are fed up with corruption ahead of an election that may draw many protest votes (AP) As Guatemala prepares to elect a new president Sunday, its citizens are fed up with government corruption, on edge about crime and struggling with poverty and malnutrition—all of which drives tens of thousands out of the country each year. And for many disillusioned voters—especially those who supported three candidates who were blocked from running this year—the leading contenders at the close of campaigning Friday seem like the least likely to drive the needed changes. Guatemala’s problems are not new or unusual for the region, but their persistence is generating voter frustration. As many as 13% of eligible voters plan to cast null votes Sunday, according to a poll published by the Prensa Libre newspaper. Some of voters’ cynicism could be the result of years of unfulfilled promises and what has been seen as a weakening of democratic institutions. “The levels of democracy fell substantially, so the (next) president is going to inherit a country whose institutions are quite damaged,” said Lucas Perelló, a political scientist at Marist College in New York and expert on Central America. “We see high levels of corruption and not necessarily the political will to confront or reduce those levels.”

Chile official warns of ‘worst front in a decade’ after floods, evacuations (Reuters) Days of heavy rainfall have swollen Chile’s rivers causing floods that blocked off roads and prompted evacuation in the center of the country, amid what has been described as the worst weather front in a decade. The flooding has led authorities to declare a “red alert” and order preventive evacuations in various towns in the south of Santiago. “This is the worst weather front we have had in 10 years,” Santiago metropolitan area governor Claudio Orego said.

Crisis in Russia (NYT/AP) A long-running feud over the invasion of Ukraine between the Russian military and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia’s private Wagner military group, escalated into an open confrontation. Prigozhin accused Russia of attacking his soldiers and appeared to challenge one of President Vladimir Putin’s main justifications for the war, and Russian generals in turn accused him of trying to mount a coup against Putin. Prighozin claimed he had control of Russia’s southern military headquarters in the city of Rostov-on-Don, near the front lines of the war in Ukraine where his fighters had been operating. Video showed him entering the headquarters’ courtyard. Signs of active fighting were also visible near the western Russian city of Voronezh, and convoys of Wagner troops were spotted heading toward Moscow. The Russian military scrambled to defend Russia’s capital. Then the greatest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power fizzled out after Prigozhin abruptly reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and sounded the retreat. Under the deal announced Saturday by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Prigozhin will go to neighboring Belarus. Charges against him of mounting an armed rebellion will be dropped. The government also said it would not prosecute Wagner fighters who took part, while those who did not join in were to be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry. Prigozhin ordered his troops back to their field camps in Ukraine, where they have been fighting alongside Russian regular soldiers.

In Myanmar, Birthday Wishes for Aung San Suu Kyi Lead to a Wave of Arrests (NYT) In military-ruled Myanmar, there seemed to be a new criminal offense this week: wearing a flower in one’s hair on June 19. Pro-democracy activists say more than 130 people, most of them women, have been arrested for participating in a “flower strike” marking the birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the civilian leader who was ousted by Myanmar’s military in a February 2021 coup. Imprisoned by the junta since then, she turned 78 on Monday. The protest—a clear, if unspoken, rebuke of the junta—drew nationwide support, and many shops were reported to have sold all their flowers. Most of the arrests occurred on Monday, but they continued through the week as the military tracked down participants and supporters. In some cities and towns, soldiers seized women in the streets for holding a flower or wearing one in their hair. Some were beaten, witnesses said. The police have also been rounding up people who took to Facebook to post a birthday greeting or a photo of themselves with a flower. Phil Robertson, the deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, called the campaign the latest example of the “paranoia and intolerance” of Myanmar’s military rulers.

Sweltering Beijingers turn to bean soup and cushion fans to combat heat (Washington Post) China’s national weather forecaster issued an unconventional outlook this week: “Hot, really hot, extremely hot [melting smiley face],” it wrote Tuesday night on Weibo, China’s answer to Twitter. It was imprecise, but it wasn’t wrong. The temperature in Beijing hit 106 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, a public holiday for the Dragon Boat Festival. It was the highest June recording since 1961. Visiting the Great Wall was “like being in an oven,” said Lin Yun-chan, a Taiwanese graduate student on her first trip to Beijing. The heat wave is almost the only thing anyone can talk about. Much of the online discussion revolves around food. People are sharing advice about the most hydrating snacks for the hot weather: mung bean soup and sour plum drink are popular options. Entrepreneurs looked for ways to capitalize on the heat wave: One promoted a seat-cushion fan designed to combat a sweaty butt, while tourism companies touted trips to the south of the country, which is usually hotter but currently less so.

Your next medical treatment could be a healthier diet (WSJ) Food and insurance companies are exploring ways to link health coverage to diets, increasingly positioning food as a preventive measure to protect human health and treat disease. Insurance companies and startups are developing meals tailored to help treat existing medical conditions, industry executives said, while promoting nutritious diets as a way to help ward off diet-related disease and health problems. “We know that for adults, around 45% of those who die from heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, that poor nutrition is a major contributing factor,” said Gail Boudreaux, chief executive of insurance provider Elevance Health speaking at The Wall Street Journal Global Food Forum. “Healthy food is a real opportunity.”

#headlines #news

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