Chapter Text
Mirabel was in her bedroom, sitting on her bed and absentmindedly picking at the embroidered butterfly on her skirt. The door opened and her mom entered, carrying a cool glass of lemonade.
"Drink this," Julieta said, setting the drink next to her daughter. "This summer is going to be a hot one."
"Thanks mamà," Mirabel smiled. "Where's papà?"
"He said he wanted to get honey... for his honey," Julieta blushed at the last sentence. "So he's out with the bees. I told him not to, he'll only get stung again."
"Pà would do anything for you," Mirabel sipped her drink. "He adores you."
"I'm very lucky," Julieta patted Mirabel's knee and headed out. She paused for a moment and then said softly, "I wish you find love like this one day."
"Mom!" Mirabel whined, causing her mom to cover her hand and giggle.
"I know." She headed for the door and then turned suddenly and gasped. "Oh, Mirabel! I forgot, Abuela asked if you can go to the market."
"What do you need?" Mirabel asked.
"She needs some meat, specifically pork," her mom replied. "I thought I'd make chuleta valluna for everyone tonight. How does that sound?"
"Wonderful," Mirabel grinned and sprang up from the bed. She grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder. Her mom handed her some money and kissed her cheek before she set off.
----
Mirabel walked from her family home into the town and headed for the butchers... oh. When she got there, it was all shut up and the lights were off. No meat was in the fridge and it looked like a ghost shop. She sighed and checked her map on her phone. She headed to another one round the corner... also closed. She sighed frustratedly and rechecked her map. There was another one, but it was a twenty minute bus ride away. Spotting the bus approaching, she hopped on and played her music during the journey. She grew distracted and almost fell asleep...
The driver stopped and gently called out to her. Mirabel blushed, apologised and hopped off the bus. She walked round the corner and finally... success! This butchers was open!
Mirabel entered and smiled at the big, burly man behind the counter.
"Hello," he smiled back. She saw his name tag: Pedro. "What can I get for you today?"
"I need five kilograms of pork loin, please." Pedro the Butcher raised his eyebrows and stared blankly at Mirabel. "I have a very big family," she laughed.
"Didn't think you'd be putting it away all by yourself," he snorted before putting on fresh gloves and weighing out the meat. Mirabel thanked him, paid and left the shop. Suddenly it was a lot darker than it should be for that time of evening, and Mirabel frowned. There was something in the air, she could feel it... like a storm was brewing.
She checked the bus timetable and saw that most of the buses were delayed by at least an hour. What the hell was going on?! Mirabel couldn't drive yet... She thought about calling her papà, or her uncle Félix, or even her older sister Luisa... but she decided against it. She spotted a nearby cafe that was open and darted inside just as the rain dropped from the now-black sky.
The lights were dim, moody, aesthetic. Warm, low lights twinkled in the background near the wooden counter. Mirabel ordered a sweet iced coffee and sat by the window staring out at the rain which was now pelting against the pavement. She slowly sipped her drink and all of a sudden felt her eyes growing wider. A hooded figure was heading to the cafe and Mirabel couldn't keep her eyes away. The figure didn't rush or walk at speed, they were almost striding, and Mirabel was captivated. The figure entered the cafe and ordered a drink, then took a seat near the back of the cafe. Luckily -- to Mirabel's delight -- the seat was in her range of vision. She tried to be subtle but knew she looked obvious as she stared. The man hadn't taken his hood down yet. Mirabel heard her phone buzzing, so quickly looked down and answered the call.
"Hey mamà."
"Where are you?" Julieta asked.
"The first two places were closed," Mirabel replied. "So I took the bus a little out of town and got the meat. It's raining kinda heavy right now, so I'm in a cafe waiting it out. Don't worry, the butcher gave me cool packs for the meat. I'll be home soon..."
"I was just worried," Julieta sighed. "Papà just walked in, so I'll send him to come and get you. Text me your location, please." Mirabel sent her location and heard her mom take in a sharp breath. "Stay right where you are, Mirabel. Don't wander off."
"I'm still in the cafe -" Mirabel began, but her mom's breathing became heavy down the phone. "Mamà, are you okay?"
"Papà is on his way," Julieta said. "See you soon."
Mirabel frowned as she hung up and took a big sip of her coffee. She slowly raised her eyes, innocently taking in the coffee shop views, and suddenly she choked. The hooded figure had removed their hood during the phone conversation, and Mirabel had been too distracted to notice.
She looked up and saw bright green eyes with a hint of hazel gazing at her intently. Mirabel's cheeks flushed and she coughed, licking her lips and cringing. Some of the coffee had spilled on her skirt... a dark brown splash stain right next to her favourite butterfly.
"Oh no," she quietly mumbled. Unable to fight her eyes, she slowly looked back up and over to the man. He was wearing a dark black shirt, black slacks and black shoes. They looked a little old, but not scruffy. His hair was just as black as his clothes, with thick streaks of grey running through it. His face was older but still handsome, with a large nose, soft looking lips and black scruff on his cheeks. Mirabel subconsciously licked her own, but anyone looking would think it was the simple, innocent act of tasting the coffee there. Nobody had to know...
His eyes held hers with such intensity. Mirabel's cheeks were flaming and she knew it. She almost choked again when the figure - the man - stood up and slowly, just as slowly as he had approached the cafe, approached her.
Mirabel tried to stay calm and cool, but she had never truly been cool in her life. Her heart and mind were racing and she just urged herself to not make a fool of herself for once.
The man stopped a few feet away from her, and here he truly saw her. Her eyes seemed so familiar to him, it was strange... and she was enchanting.
"White vinegar," he said.
Mirabel blinked at him and urged her voice to be heard. "Hm?" ... well, she tried.
"You need white vinegar," the man's lips pressed upward into a small smile. "And dish washing detergent and warm water. Soak it a little, it'll come right out."
"O-oh," Mirabel looked down at the coffee stain and then back up at the man. Those eyes... "Thank you."
He nodded and held out his hand. "Use this." Mirabel took the napkin from him and rubbed at her skirt. "Gently," his voice was soft and it sent shivers through her entire body. Their eyes met and he repeated; "Gently."
Mirabel gently dabbed and he nodded once. He looked over and accidentally glanced at all the meat in her bags. Mirabel saw him looking and laughed awkwardly.
"Big family." He wanted to say "Me too", but he didn't. Instead, he just nodded again, once. "Thank you..." Mirabel deliberately paused, hoping this stranger would tell her his name.
The man looked at her for a moment, drawn back to those eyes - they were so familiar to him - and he realised, blinking hard. "Oh, I'm -"
"Bruno?!"
Mirabel felt her heart leap into her throat as she saw the door open and her papà enter. He strode over to her, staring at the man but not unkindly.
"Oh fuck," the man - Bruno? - whispered, but she heard.
"Bruno," Agustín said again, still staring. "What are you -?"
"I was just in the neighbourhood," Bruno said. "Passing through, really..."
"Who's this?" Mirabel asked both of them. She wanted to see who replied first...
"Mirabel, this is… Bruno," Agustín said. "Your... tío."
"You're tío Bruno?!"
"You're Mirabel?" Bruno asked her, and the tone in his voice didn't go unnoticed by her.
"Y-yes," she breathed. The two of them locked eyes, just as Agustín's phone rang. He stepped away to take it, talking in whispers.
Mirabel and Bruno didn't blink or look away from each other once. Her heart was racing and his mind was spinning. She was the niece he had never met... He was the uncle she had heard whispers and rumours about. She'd thought she'd imagined him at one point. Nobody ever talked about him in her family...
Agustín rejoined them, and they looked away and over to him.
"We should get going," he said to Mirabel. Mirabel nodded, but couldn't fight the sinking feeling in her stomach. She had so many questions...
She stood up looked at Bruno again. He had a sad, pained look on his face and his hands were thrust deep in his pockets now.
"Bye, tío Bruno," she said softly.
"Bye, kid," he nodded his head, once.
"Mira," Agustín handed her the bags and winked at her, "go and put these in the car. Be careful, it's slippy outside now. I'll be with you in a minute..."
Mirabel took the bags from her papà and left the cafe. She knew her papà would be talking to Bruno about something and she was desperate to find out what. She waited in the car with baited breath. He finally joined her after what seemed like forever. He started the car and drove off, smirking at her as she grew increasingly frustrated next to him.
"What was all that?!" Mirabel finally erupted. "That was tío Bruno? I was beginning to think he was an urban legend."
"You know we don't talk about him," Agustín said. "Please, don't mention anything to anyone. Especially your Abuela."
"But why?" Mirabel asked. "Why is this such a big secret? Isn't he family?"
"Yes," Agustín nodded. "But families have secrets and problems, and Bruno was just..."
"A problem?"
"Will you leave it, if I beg you?" Agustín asked. Mirabel frowned and huffed at him. "Please? At least just until dinner is over."
"Mamà knows, doesn't she?" Mirabel raised her eyebrow. "That's why she got so weird on the phone and literally teleported you here to come get me."
"Yes, Mirabel," Agustín nodded.
"Is Bruno dangerous? Would he hurt me? Is that why mamà was so worried?"
"Of course not," Agustín shook his head at the very thought. "Bruno was just..." He sighed and it was clear he was uncomfortable. "Please, I'm not good at this sort of thing. Can you promise me you'll just wait until later tonight? Mamà asked me to make you swear you won't say anything to anyone - not Dolores, not Camilo, not Luisa, not Isa -"
"Okay, I get it," Mirabel waved her hand to stop her papà from hyperventilating. "I promise, I won't say anything. But I want answers. I need to know about Bruno."
----
Dinner was as always, a family affair. Julieta made quick work of making it, now that Mirabel had finally returned from the butchers with the meat, and the family sat around their large table outside and dined under the stars. Various animal noises could be heard in the background, and little Antonio made everyone laugh by pretending to understand what they were saying.
"Our very own Doctor Dolittle-Madrigal," Camilo teased. Antonio stuck his tongue out and the brothers giggled.
"It took you a very long time to get the meat, Mirabel," Abuela said towards the end of the meal. "It's delicious, but was it really worth going all the way to Australia for?" A few family members giggled - Isabella especially loud - and Agustín looked stressed.
"I found a really cute ca -" Agustín cleared his throat and Mirabel quickly covered them. "Cat. I saw a really cute cat with interesting markings, so I followed it for a while. I guess I lost track of time."
"Oh," Abuela frowned at her youngest granddaughter and slowly took a bite of her dinner. "Well, thank you for making such a trip. This food is delicious as always."
Agustín was relieved when dinner was over, and he went into the kitchen to help his wife wash the dishes. Luisa went off to run some laps and Isabela was busy filming another makeup vlog. Félix and Pepa were snuggling on one of the benches in the garden. Abuela disappeared into her bedroom, carrying a candle as she always did. Mirabel went into the kitchen and closed all the doors. Her parents knew what was coming and they sighed as she pounced.
"Mirabel," Julieta said as she nudged her husband to pass her the pans on the side. "I know who you saw today."
"Tío Bruno," Mirabel said.
"Shh!"
"Why the big secret? I barely even know anything about him. Why does nobody talk about him?"
"It's all in the past now," her mamà replied. "I'm not digging it up. Can you try and forget it?"
"Why?"
"It'll open a lot of old wounds," Julieta sighed sadly. "He's my brother, I miss him, but..."
"I can't believe a family as close as ours has a black sheep," Mirabel sighed, and then instantly she realised how dumb that sentence was. All her life, Mirabel had felt like a black sheep herself. She wasn't physically strong like her sister Luisa, who was a top personal trainer, or insanely perfect like her influencer sister Isabela. Camilo was the funny one, Dolores was the sweet one who everyone entrusted their secrets with, and Antonio was the baby. Mirabel had never really found her place. She guessed she was... the outsider? "Actually, yes I can."
"Mira, please don't say that," her papà sighed. "It's just... very complicated."
Mirabel huffed. "I can handle it."
"It's really just for the best that you drop it," Julieta said, wiping her hands on the towel, dishes done. "It's late, go to bed."
"I'm not tired," she sounded like a moody teenager but she didn't care. She was pissed, just a little. She had been told she'd get answers and she had found out nothing!
"We are," Julieta said, taking her husband's hand and heading for the exit. "I'm sorry, Mirabel, but this is honestly for the best. Trust me... Goodnight. We love you."
Agustín smiled back at his daughter, but she glared at him. It was clear that he was in her bad books.
----
That night, the family all slept contentedly but Mirabel couldn't. Her brain would not shut off. She played back the whole encounter with the handsome stranger - her tío Bruno - and tried to put a single piece of it together. She couldn't. Nothing made sense. The man she had barely heard mentioned five times her whole entire life magically showed up in the same cafe that she was in. Her parents refused to tell her anything about him or why he was so... taboo in the family.
She decided to do what anyone in the 21st century would do when faced with an unknown being: she Googled him. She typed his name into the search engine and was stunned to see an article came up as the first hit. She clicked on it with a pounding heart and read, eyes growing wider and wider...
Bruno was... a fashion designer? Mirabel couldn't believe it... He had his own collections and quite a cult following on social media. She clicked the suggested link and felt her palms go sweaty when she read the headline: 'Up and coming bad boy of fashion left for dead after drugs deal goes wrong.'
Mirabel clasped her hand over her mouth as she saw the first picture. Sure enough, Bruno was lying in a hospital bed black and blue and bleeding. She felt hot tears prick her eyes and she had to swipe the article away. She couldn't see anymore.
Was this why Bruno had been wiped out of the family? Was this all because of drugs? The article had been from almost twenty years ago, before Mirabel had even been born. Mirabel couldn't stop shaking and she wished she could erase that image from her mind.
She got into bed that night but hardly slept.
----
A few days passed by, and life continued as it always did. It was summer vacation now, and Mirabel hoped this summer could be eye opening for her, hopefully show her what was meant for her.
Abuela asked her every single morning, "Have you chosen a college yet? What are you majoring in?" and every morning, Mirabel gave the same reply;
"I'm still thinking..."
"What about cooking, like your mamà?" Abuela suggested. Mirabel shook her head. "Medical school?" Mirabel wrinkled her nose.
"Train to be a vet, like I want to be!" Antonio grinned through a mouthful of porridge with honey. Mirabel shook her head softly and winked.
"I'll leave the animals to you. They're in safer hands that way."
"What about fashion design?" Isabela floated to her seat and gracefully sat down without a single head of hair moving out of place. It was only 8am and she already had a full face of makeup on. Mirabel was still wearing her pyjama shorts and tank top, bare faced. Isabela had meant it as a jibe, but come to think of it...
"You know what, I was thinking about that, actually," Mirabel sipped her coffee smugly as the colour drained from Isabela's face. Antonio chuckled and her parents appeared.
"Thinking about what, sweetheart?" Julieta grabbed a cup of coffee and sipped it slowly.
"I think Isabela just helped me choose my major," Mirabel said, watching her parent's eyes light up. "I want to study fashion design." Agustín paled at Abuela's expression. "I'll be the first fashion designer in the family, right?"
Her question was met with deathly silence.
The rest of the family appeared and gathered round the table, all reaching for various breakfast items and then realising the atmosphere.
"Who died?" Camilo asked.
"I don't know," Luisa whispered, "but I've got a feeling someone's about to."
"Mirabel," Agustín whispered.
"Yes, you'd be the first," Julieta said quietly. She decided to change tact. "That's wonderful! Which colleges offer fashion design?"
"I was thinking about ones abroad," Mirabel said, another bomb dropped during breakfast.
"Abroad?" Agustín spluttered. "Where exactly?"
"Maybe the States," Mirabel said dreamily.
"You need to apply, first," Abuela reminded her.
"I know. That's why I did."
"You what?!" Abuela and Isabela freaked out at the exact same moment. Mirabel found it rather poetic.
"I didn't say anything to anyone," Mirabel sighed, "because this kind of thing doesn't normally happen to someone like me."
"Are you going to go?" Julieta asked, tears stinging her eyes.
"I think so," Mirabel nodded. "I think it'd be a great opportunity."
"You've never even left Colombia before," Isabela pouted. "What makes you think you can handle the mean streets of the Big Apple?"
"Mirabel can take anyone on," Antonio said sweetly, pumping the air with his fist.
"This is... a lot to take in," Julieta sighed. Agustín gently placed his hand on her shoulder and stroked her, trying to reassure her.
"I must be going," Abuela suddenly stood up and reached for the candle. "It's my turn to host the church breakfast bingo." She quickly disappeared.
An awkward silence set upon the breakfast table now, and Félix and Pepa made themselves scarce. Dolores and Camilo grabbed Antonio's hand and headed off to the park. Luisa packed her gym bag at the table, throwing in a few bottles of protein shakes, and Isabela was busy glaring jealously at her younger sister. "Girls, leave us and your sister alone." At once, Isabela and Luisa left.
"Mirabel," Agustín spoke softly. "Did you say that on purpose?"
"Say what?"
"That you want to go to college in America..."
"Did - did you goggle him?" Julieta asked fearfully.
"It's Google, mamà," Mirabel smiled affectionately.
"You did, didn't you?"
"Yes," Mirabel admitted. "But that's not why. I applied to this college last year, way before tío Br -"
"Shh!" Julieta whispered and waved her fingers to tell Mirabel to talk quieter. "Promise me this isn't because of Bruno?"
"It's not," Mirabel rolled her eyes. "But can you tell me, since I basically know the truth now. Is that what caused this whole rift? Bruno was a drug addict?"
"It's not as black and white as that, Mira," Agustín said, stroking the back of his wife's hand. "But basically, yes."
"Can you tell me a little more at least? Why is he basically dead to our family now? I never even saw a single picture of him. I thought he was made up at one point. Mamà, he's your brother..."
"I know, and he's not dead... not to me."
"Or me," Agustín echoed.
"We keep in touch with him every now and again, but nobody knows. If your Abuela ever found out..."
"What?!" Mirabel was frustrated. "What's the big deal about Bruno? I already know he's a drug addict, I'm halfway there, please just tell me what I'm missing..."
"Enough," Julieta said, hot tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. Her phone buzzed and she rose to her feet. "I have to go to work. Mirabel, please drop this..." She turned to her husband. "Will you drive me?"
"It would be my pleasure," Agustín kissed her hand and raised his eyebrows at his youngest daughter. "You'll leave Bruno alone?" Mirabel didn't say yes or no, she just kissed their cheeks and told them to have a good day.
----
It was barely 10am when Mirabel hopped off the bus again. She knew she was playing with fire, but she had a burning curiosity and a strange longing to see this elusive tío Bruno of hers again. She knew this was probably futile, but she wandered round anyway, eyes scanning every shop and restaurant and cafe she passed. She almost gave up after an hour, deciding she was actually idiotic. What were the chances he'd just randomly still be in the same area? The chances were like a million to one, especially with how things had been when Agustín had showed up... awkward to say the least.
No rain today, the weather was hot and sunny and Mirabel found herself rather thirsty. She saw a lemonade stand and bought a drink. She put her earphones in and had her music so loud she couldn't concentrate. She was busy looking up at the sky, smiling as she watched two butterflies in the wind. Mirabel was not looking where she was going. She turned the corner and bumped into the man she had been looking for.
They collided and Mirabel let out a sound of alarm, feeling the cold liquid splashing down her front. Of course, today she had decided to wear a white dress. She looked up and realised who she had bumped into.
"Oh," she said softly. "It's you."
"Oh, hey, kid," Bruno smiled. "You're all wet."
"This is becoming a habit," she sassed. She laughed and it was cut short when she looked down and noticed her entire upper half was now see-through. Bruno quickly took off his black leather jacket and placed it around her shoulders. He was only slight, but still it swamped her. She pulled it towards her in the middle and zipped it up. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it," he said. He hadn't meant to, but as she had focused on putting the jacket on, his eyes had accidentally looked down and now it was Bruno who felt... thirsty? No. He felt hot. He cleared his throat. "What are you doing here?"
"I needed more meat," she lied. She paused, and then confessed. "That was a lie. I was... looking for you."
"Why?"
"I have so many things I want to ask you," Mirabel said honestly. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I'd like to know... do you have time?"
"I don't have much," Bruno checked his watch and looked at her, green eyes burning into her brown ones. "I can give you half an hour."
"Great," Mirabel bounced up and down excitedly and smirked at him. "Come on, I know a spot."
They ordered their drinks - an iced sweet coffee for Mirabel and an iced black coffee for Bruno - and sat by the window, in the very seat they had first met.
"I can feel you practically champing at the bit," he said as he sipped his drink. "Fire away."
"First, I didn't get the chance to say this the other day," Mirabel said, "but, nice to meet you." Bruno smirked at her slightly, but didn't respond and waited for her to continue. "I know you're Bruno. I'm Mirabel."
"Thanks for that, I think I might've forgotten otherwise." She wasn't sure if he was teasing or not, so she let that one go.
"I've never met you before, right? I have no memories of you from when I was younger..."
"No, we've never met before," Bruno said. "Until the other day, in here."
"Yeah... yeah! Thanks for that tip. The stain came right away."
"Fashion industry trade secret," Bruno laughed darkly and sipped his drink again.
"Right, you're a fashion designer..." Mirabel realised she had caught herself and her eyes went wide and flashed to his face.
"You Googled me?" Bruno wasn't asking. Mirabel felt the blush creeping to her cheeks and lowered her eyes, nodding. "Find anything good?"
"Only... about your career."
"You're not such a great liar, kid," Bruno's tone was intoxicating and she couldn't resist raising her eyes to his again.
"Okay, so I found the article about your... incident."
"What a delicate way to put it," he breathed.
"Oh crap," Mirabel suddenly clasped a hand to her mouth. "If this is a trigger for you, I promise we can stop. I won't ask you any more ques -"
"Relax kid, maybe a long time ago, but not now." Bruno smiled at her to reassure her, but all it did was cause butterflies to somersault and free-dive in her stomach.
"So... we never met, and I grew up thinking you were in the same league as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness monster... You were never mentioned, so I began to think you were just some made up being."
"Never mentioned," Bruno spoke those words heavily and wrinkled his nose. He took a long swig of his coffee and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Sounds about right."
"I want to know why," Mirabel sighed. "You're my tío, how is it that our family won't even speak about you? All I heard growing up was from Camilo, my cousin, that you -"
"Pepa's boy?"
"Yes," Mirabel nodded. She couldn't shake the jealousy that bubbled in her stomach. "You know him?"
"I met him when he was born," Bruno said. He saw the look on Mirabel's face and looked at her sadly. "I never met you because... I left before you were born. Your mamà was maybe six or seven months pregnant when I left."
"Why did you leave?"
"Well, truthfully I didn't leave, more like... I got kicked out."
"Of the family?"
"Pretty much," Bruno said.
"Why?"
Bruno opened his mouth to speak and his phone buzzed. He went to ignore it, but it buzzed again. "Sorry, I need to take this." He stood up and walked outside. Mirabel sipped her coffee and watched him, he seemed to be irritated and kept raising his hand as he spoke. He came back in a few moments later and sat down next to her, sighing. He ran a hand through his hair and it looked soft. Mirabel wanted to run her own fingers through it...
"I can't stay much longer, kid," Bruno said. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you all the answers, but..."
"Just a little longer, please," she begged.
"I'll give you five minutes."
"Why did you get kicked out? Who kicked you out?"
"It was almost unanimous," Bruno sat back in the chair and put his hands behind his head. His knee began bouncing up and down, and Mirabel knew this was probably uncomfortable for him.
"Tío Bruno," she said quietly. "You don't have to tell me..."
"Your mamà and papà were the only ones who wanted to give me another chance, but the family had had enough. I don't blame them, looking back..." Mirabel had edged closer on her seat, staring up at him with eager eyes. "I guess you know about my... past?" Mirabel nodded. "I thought I had control of the addiction, but my addiction had control over me. One day it got bad. My drug dealers turned up at the casita." Mirabel's eyes were wider now. "I was supposed to be watching the little ones. I told them never to step foot on our home, but I owed them money and they didn't listen. I went outside to tell them to leave, and inside I'd left some pills on the table. Your cousins were fine, thank God, they didn't take anything, but..." Bruno closed his eyes and flashed back to that horrible night. "They stabbed me. I heard them say they were going to kidnap the kids. I couldn't let that happen, so I stupidly tried to fight them off. I passed out on the steps of the casita, and your papà was the one who found me, bleeding out. If he had been five minutes later I would have died." Mirabel felt tears trickling down her face and Bruno handed her a napkin. "This is becoming a habit," he winked at her, but she didn't smile. She couldn't. How could she after hearing that? "I was rushed to hospital and they saved me. When everyone found out what I had done, what had almost happened because of me - they thought it best for the family if I disappeared."
"Tío Bruno..."
"I recovered in hospital and only your mamà and papà visited... and then that stopped after a while. Abuela said Julieta wasn't to see me anymore, because I was stressing her out... and the baby."
"Me?" Mirabel's eyes stung with tears.
"So eventually it was just me." Bruno wrinkled his nose. "I knew that what happened was a wake up call, a dark one. I checked into rehab and haven't touched a single thing since that night. I also haven't see the family since... until I saw your papà the other day."
"I am so sorry," Mirabel reached forward and placed a hand on top of his. She felt a jolt of electricity coursing through her body. Bruno's eyes met hers and they looked at each other for a moment, before he cleared his throat and broke away the hand contact and their look.
"It's in the past," Bruno said. "Maybe it worked out for the best." His phone buzzed again and he looked at the screen. "Fuck. I think I missed my flight."
"Where are you going?"
"New York," Bruno said. "Business awaits."
"New York?" Mirabel repeated. "As in... New York, New York?"
"That's the one," Bruno smiled.
"You work in New York City... as a fashion designer?"
"Yes," Bruno nodded. He stood up and Mirabel did the same. "I'll be right back." Bruno went off into the bathroom and Mirabel seized her crazy opportunity. She took the napkin he had given her but hadn't used and scribbled a message. She folded it carefully and zipped it safely inside his breast pocket. When he returned, she was standing up holding the jacket out for him.
"Thank you for this," Mirabel smiled.
"What else is your tío for, huh?"
"Not the jacket," Mirabel shook her head. "Well, not just the jacket."
"You're welcome, kid." He checked his watch. "Fuck. I need to go."
They left the cafe together and Mirabel waited while Bruno hailed a cab.
"Will you be alright?" Mirabel asked him.
"Will I be alright?" Bruno repeated and smirked at her. "Never mind me, will you be alright?"
"Fine," she smiled. "I'll be fine if you'll be fine."
"I'll be fine," he bowed his head at her. His cab drove up to them along the road. He hopped in and stuck his head out of the window. As the cab drove off, he called out, "It was nice to meet you, too!"
----
Mirabel returned home later than afternoon, and was glad to see her family were all either too busy or not bothered enough to ask her where she'd been all day. She felt somehow more grounded now she knew the truth. A horrific, tragic truth, but the big mystery cloud had disappeared. She felt sorry for her tío Bruno, honestly. He had been trying to protect his family and had almost died doing so. How could anyone have turned their back on such courage and unwavering love and loyalty? To Mirabel, he was a hero. Aren't they always a tragic ending?
It was late at night now, and Mirabel was lying in bed on her phone. She saw his name in the Google search history. She wouldn't read that article again if she lived to be a thousand years old, but she did want to see some more pictures of him... Thankfully, Google provided her with plenty. She saw one in particular that she liked: it was black and white, and Bruno was in a studio, pencil in between his teeth and his hair all fluffy, tape measure around his neck. It was dated only a few months ago. Mirabel knew he was one of three and was 50 years old, but honestly he looked incredible. She looked at it a little longer than she should have done, and she snapped out of it when her phone buzzed.
An unsaved number had sent her a message, and she read it with trembling hands.
'Found your little note in my jacket. It's late now so I'm going to sleep and you should be too! You're going to study fashion at The New School this fall? How interesting... that you never mentioned it. You want to come and visit New York before the semester starts? It's a lot to think about, let me sleep on it."
Mirabel read the message back a thousand times before she drifted off to sleep. When she woke up the next morning, her heart leapt as she saw a new message from him.
'If your parents say yes, be my guest. But only if they both say yes.'
Mirabel threw herself out of bed, down the stairs and into the kitchen, where her mamà was mixing up some pancakes. She closed the door so it was just the two of them and Julieta frowned at her daughter. "What's got you so energetic this morning?"
"Mamà," Mirabel smiled, "we need to talk about tío Bruno."