A Slow Burning Candle *Main story completed, additional scenes to be added*

Chapter 2 - La Casa Madrigal

Chapter 2: La Casa Madrigal

Luz stood in front of the gate to the Casa Madrigal. Her inn keeper had gotten her up at dawn, telling her that while the rest of the family might not be ready, Alma Madrigal would appreciate the punctuality.

She'd picked out her most professional skirt and top, wrapped up her hair, and adorned her face with the meager amount of makeup she'd managed to save. Pursing her lightly painted lips, she clutched the shoulder strap of her bag where it fell across her chest.

"You can do this, you can do this, you can do – " The door swung open, "Hola!" She saved herself with a quick greeting.

On the other side stood a man a bit shorter in stature, but with a wide and imposing frame. He appeared to be in his mid-30's and looked her up and down cautiously.

"¿Hola? ¿I'm the new maestra? ¿This is Casa Madrigal, sí?" Luz repeated.

If she had any reservations about him, they were dispelled when he instantly broke out into a large grin and took her hand, shaking it vigorously.

"Sí! Sí señorita! Come in, come in, Abuela is waiting to meet you."

"Gracias." She barely had time to get the word out before the man practically pulled her inside with his death grip on her hand.

"I'm Félix. My wife is Pepa, the second oldest of the triplets."

"It's nice to meet you." Luz's eyes darted around, taking in the house. With all the stories she heard in only the last day, she was looking for any sign of something fantastical. So far, the house, while extremely well appointed, appeared to be fairly normal. "The man who brought me here yesterday told me quite a bit about your family, and," she smiled a bit, "I must admit, it sounded – "

"Too good to be true?" The voice of an older woman rang out in the main room.

Luz quickly focused in on a stately woman, who emerged from a door that appeared to be glowing. For a minute, she thought she might be seeing things, until she noticed the several other glowing doors along the balcony. Each was adorned with a name and an image.

Finally, she came back around to the woman who had descended the staircase and now stood in front of her, "I am Alma Madrigal, and you must be our new maestra, Luz Estrada."

"Yes," Luz proffered her hand, "Thank you for meeting with me."

Alma shook her hand and the two women regarded each other for a moment before the older spoke again, "I must admit, you showing up is a bit of a surprise, maestra Gonzalez did not inform me that she'd applied for a replacement until I got a letter that you were already on your way."

"I hope it's okay." There was an immediate sense in her that this woman was not someone she wanted to trifle with. The driver had warned her that while the Madrigals spent their time in service to the town, their matriarch was basically the village leader. To cross her so early would not be advantageous.

"It is fine." With a wide hand gesture, she motioned to the table, "Por favor, it is early, you must be hungry."

"Sí, gracias." Somewhere above her, she heard a door open. As she followed Alma, the sound of small footsteps padded along, and someone was shushed quietly.

The kitchen door opened and a younger woman came out, tray in hand.

"This is my daughter Julieta, my eldest." A softness found it's way into Alma's tone, and then it disappeared when another woman, the same age, appeared behind the first, "And my second eldest, Pepa."

Luz could easily discern who was the favorite, but gave both women a smile and small wave, "Hola, I'm Luz Estrada."

"Hola." Both of them responded, bringing their dishes to the table. Félix, who had all but disappeared in the matriarch's presence to Luz's sensibilities, appeared to sit next to his wife, kissing her cheek.