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"Tio Bruno, am I still a part of this family?"
The words broke more than just Bruno's heart. The two years after Mirabel's 5th birthday, the day that she was supposed to receive her gift, were difficult to say the least. The duo had just returned from town, todays chore of grocery shopping over and done with. Mirabel had been silent on their way home, and Bruno could guess why. There were whispers amongst the townsfolk, and Bruno didn't need Dolores' gift to understand who and what they were talking about. ""That poor Mirabel. She's such a lovely girl, always helpful and so kind. Why was she not granted a gift like the rest of her familia? It simply breaks my heart." ""Si senor, she deserves to be like the rest of her family. Perhaps the magic is starting to die out. Dios mio what would we do if the Madrigals were to lose their gifts!" "Perhaps she was simply unworthy of receiving one. After all, their Casita itself is alive. Perhaps there is more to Mirabel Madrigal than meets the eye, hmm?
"Perhaps that shifty uncle of hers had something to do with it. He is quite close with the youngest Madrigal. Look at how she clings to him while they go about their day. Bad things happen whenever Bruno Madrigal is involved."
"Si, si! When I asked him to read my fortune a few days ago, he told me my fish would die. And then the next day, my fish died! I tell you, nothing good comes from that Bruno." "Let us pray that she does not suffer the same fate." Bruno had also noticed how his Mamá, Mirabel's Abuela, had begun treating her since that fateful night. Subtely pushing her out of the family's way whenever they were together. Giving her tasks to do in the Casita so that the family could go into town without her. It angered him to see his sweet sobrina constantly pushed to the side in favour of her sisters and cousins. She deserved better than folding clothes or sweeping the courtyard with the weird town oracle, but she was always so happy to spend time with him that she never seemed bothered with being stuck at home. Casita had grown particularly attached to Mirabel, and together the three of them spent their days happily playing in the house while the family was out. There were still days where Mirabel felt left behind by her family or looked down upon by the town's people. The kids in town could be especially cruel. Bruno recalls one such situation where Mirabel had gone into town to deliver food to some of the sick people in town. She had returned from her trip without her glasses, globs of mud stuck in her hair and more mud splattered across her dress with tears streaming down her cheeks. Since Bruno was the only person home when she had returned, he had cleaned her up and changed her clothes before she'd told him what had happened. Needless to say, Bruno's anger was only just overshadowed by the wrath of his sisters. The townsfolk (children and adults alike) learned quickly not to mess with Mirabel. Today seemed like another of Mirabel's down days. Had someone said something to her when he wasn't paying attention? "O-of course mi corazón!" Bruno reassured her, hoping to quickly ease his niece's worries before finding out who had made her question her place in this world. "W-what makes you say that?" Mirabel looked down at her sandals, her turquoise dress and the sky blue bow in her hair gently flowing in the breeze. She had stopped just short of Casita's threshold, twisting her left foot into the ground with her while she held a bag of avocados with both hands. She seemed nervous. About what, Bruno was unsure. But he would find out if his life depended on it (which, judging by his niece's face, it did). "Has someone said something to you? Something about you?" Bruno asks. "No Tio Bruno..." his niece replies sullenly. She mumbles something too quiet for Bruno to hear. Bruno drops the groceries he's holding and kneels in front of Mirabel. He takes the avocado bag from her hands and places it next to him, then cups her face with one hand. "What's wrong cariño?" Mirabel shuffles her feet again before she speaks. "It's just... Everyone else has their gifts. They can make the family proud. But I don't have one. So what does that mean for me?" "Mirabel..." "Our family was given a miracle Tio Bruno." The emotional dam had broken now. "We have to use our gifts to help the town's people and keep the miracle burning. But I don't have a gift, so I don't know what I can do to help." Her breathing was increasing rapidly, and Bruno knew she would hurt herself more if he didn't calm her down quickly. "Breath, mi mariposa. Look at me. Let's just take a nice, deep brea-" "Abuela says that a gift reflects how special you are. Am I not special enough for a gift? Did I do something wrong? Do you think I'll have to leave? Should, should I not have been bo-" "That's enough Mirabel!" Bruno realised his poor choice of words too late. Those were the words Mamá always used when Mirabel was 'in the way'. She froze for a few seconds before descending into tears, apologising through her sobs. Bruno felt like he'd been punched in the stomach by Luisa for each sob Mirabel released. He hugged her tightly and whispered his apologies into her hair. "I'm s-so-sorry Tio Bruno! I-I'm sorry I don't h-have a gift! P-please don't send me away!" She wailed. "Shh Mirabel. You have nothing to apologise for. I shouldn't have raised my voice. It's my fault. Shh, everything's ok. Mi corazón, mi milargo. Shh. Shh." Bruno gently stroked her back and carded his fingers through her hair while he comforted her. He had never felt like a bigger piece of scum in his life. Not even when he'd almost his family, left her, after the vision he'd had after her 5th birthday. Once she was calm, Bruno leaned back to look her over. He rubbed his hands over her arms, gently stroking them in the hope of providing her with some comfort. "Feel better now mi niña?" He asked. Mirabel nods her head and takes a step away from her uncle, eyes still glued to her sandals. "I'm sorry Tio Bruno." She whimpers, still on the verge of tears. She looks up at him and noticed his clothes. "Oh, I-I got your ruana wet. I'm sorry." "None of that cariño." Bruno smiles, before rearranging himself so that he's sitting on the ground, legs crossed. He pats his leg. "Sit with me." She shuffles up to her uncle, letting him pull her into his lap and arrange her so that she's comfortable. Bruno takes a breath before he looks at his niece and speaks. "Seems like you've needed to let that out for a while now." Mirabel nods her head quietly. Bruno sighs, his hair fluttering in the midday breeze. They would have to address it at some stage. Today seemed as good a day as any. "I am sorry I raised my voice at you cariño." Bruno laments. He knows he'll regret that for the rest of his life. "I just couldn't bear to hear you say such awful things about yourself." He turns her face towards him, looks her directly in the eye and says "You will never be forced to leave Mirabel. Never. Your parents would never allow it. I would never allow that to happen, ok? You may not have a gift mi milargo, but you don't need one. You are a gift." "What do you mean Tio Bruno?" Mirabel sniffles, rubbing at her eyes and looking up at her uncle. "You, Mirabel. You are our gift. You're a gift to this family. We wouldn't be the family we are today without your spontaneous songs about anything and everything. Without the gifts you and Julieta make with your needlework skills. Without your unconditional love for everyone around you." Bruno could go on forever talking about how important his niece is to him especially. "You don't need some special gift to make the family proud Mirabel. You make your family proud everyday just by being yourself." Bruno realises that he's rambled a bit, but he doesn't have the heart to care. His niece is looking at him like he's hung the stars in the sky. She throws her arms around his neck, giggling as she says "Thank you Tio Bruno" and kisses his cheek for good measure. Satisfied that his niece is feeling better, Bruno squeezes her a little bit tighter. "Never forgot how loved you are, mi milargo."
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