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"Quickly! Quickly! Come along, everyone! It's about to start! It's going to be one heck of a spectacle!"
Antonio's joyful voice echoes through the hall of the casita, all the way up to the gallery to the magical rooms, before he dashes off to fetch the family. Bruno, his nephew's words ringing in his ears, smiles sheepishly. His pulse quickens, his heart beats wildly. Stage fright has him in its grip. But for the first time in many years, it's not a bad feeling, it's a good one.
All around him, candles cast a soft glow and the scent of pine needles fills the air. The Christmas tree towers from floor to ceiling in the corner, beautifully decorated with lights, baubles and straw stars that they hung up just a few hours ago. All together. Something wet rises in Bruno's eyes. And he can't even say why the tears are coming. Apart from the unmistakable excitement, there is only warmth in his heart. To be here! Here in the middle of the event! Not just watching it from a crack in the wall. To be part of the family. Bruno can't put into words what he feels.
"Hey, Tio, have you handed out the textbooks yet?" Mirabel's voice snaps him out of his thoughts.
"Oh no!" Bruno replies, startled, "Wait, they're right there, wait... where have they been? Oh, back here"
Looking around for the pile, Bruno steps backwards and stumbles over some of the pictures on the floor. The rats quickly jump apart.
Mirabel shakes her head gently and pats his hand.
"Maybe you'd better let me do this," she explains gently, nimbly picking up the pile of papers and spreading them out on the chairs lined up in the hall in front of the small theater.
While Bruno is still rubbing his head, Antonio returns on his tiger.
"I've told everyone!" he shouts happily and climbs off, "This is going to be HUGE!"
Hot on his heels, Camilo follows in his glittering suit with a mischievous grin on his face at his impending grand performance.
Bruno gets a little hotter and his cheeks redden a bit as he hangs the final backdrop pictures. On the floor, the rats scurry hastily through a pile of tiny white robes, coats of coarse wool, cardboard angel wings, shepherd's crooks no bigger than a toothpick and a doll's diaper.
Then, finally, there is a chatter of many voices in the hallway from the kitchen.
"They're coming!" Mirabel remarks. And indeed they are. Her sisters, mother, father, Abuela, Tia Pepa, Tio Felix, Doloros and Mariano. They all come streaming in from the kitchen, laughing happily and talking loudly to each other. Luisa carries a whole cartload of bowls and trays full of delicacies on her strong shoulders: buñuelos, pandebonos, tamales and a whole bowl of natilla. The appetizers exude a delicious aroma that stimulates the appetite. Everything is quickly set down and the guests of this unusual family theater take their seats. Behind or in front of the stage.
Camilo steps confidently in front of the assembled Madrigals. The light from the candles illuminates his face and his eyes shine with mischief.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen on this wonderful Christmas Eve to a very special festival. The famous Bruno Madrigal and his legendary Rat Theater proudly presents..."
At this moment, Camilo pauses and, in a frenzied change, transforms from Joseph to Mary to the baby Jesus, to angels and shepherds and back to himself again. Mirabel laughs out loud with amusement. Bruno can't get a sound out, but he feels the same way.
"THE NATIVITY PLAY!" shouts Camilo and whirls to the side to clear the stage.
To thunderous applause, Bruno pulls the small red curtain aside with sweaty fingers. Stage fright has now robbed him of all words. But when he looks into the shining eyes all around him; into the eyes of his mother, his sisters, his brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, he suddenly knows what he feels and why the tears came. Tears of emotion and joy.
It is happiness! It is pure happiness! Happiness to be here and to be able to celebrate with his family and be a part of it. He is finally and truly back home!