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

Chapter 9: Apologies

"I don't understand."

"It's traditional, and I requested that tradition be followed here in the village."

"But that doesn't make any sense, what harm does it do to the children if their teacher goes on a date or gets married?" Julieta was perplexed by what her mother was telling her. She'd heard of such a custom before but didn't think it was going on right in her own village.

"Teachers should set a good example, and it's just improper."

"Improper how? The children see relationships all over the village, I don't see how – "

Alma held up a hand, "It doesn't matter Julieta, that is how things have always been done here and how they should remain. The maestra serves here at my request, so she must obey the rules."

Pepa held onto Camilo, who was still emotionally coming down from being scolded by his parents and abuela, "That explains why she wasn't on a "date" date with Carlos."

"She was on a date?" Alma's eyes looked more severe, "With the Ruiz boy?"

"It was just dinner," Julieta gave her sister a warning look, "Not a date." Turning back to her mother, she sighed, "Would you really get rid of Luz if she decided to get married?"

"Our traditions make us what we are, they make us strong." She put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, "She knew when she accepted the job what was expected of her, and if she breaks that contract, perhaps such an unreliable woman should not be a teacher."

As the matriarch walked away, her children stared after her. Bruno had been silent throughout the entire ordeal, listening as Camilo and his sobrinas described their plan and how they carried it out. And through his mother's explanation of what Luz had meant when Camilo told them that she was concerned about losing her job.

He hadn't responded when he noticed his sobrinas giving each other looks of "I told you so," and he tried not to flinch when Pepa's face betrayed her confusion that anyone could possibly have "something" going on with Bruno – even if it was just a crush. He could practically feel his sister wanting to tell Luz to run in the other direction or else she'd end up cursed.

Pepa never let anything go.

As the triplets stood there, considering their options, Julieta made the first move by shooing the children off and up the stairs to await their inevitable grounding, "And I want to see that door closed, Dolores! Keep your ears to yourself!"

Once they were certain they were alone, she turned back around, "That rule is not fair."

Bruno stood, rubbing his arm, and staring at the ground. Luz wasn't the only one currently feeling slightly embarrassed.

Pepa looked shocked, "Our brother is – " she waved her hands, a cloud forming over her head, "Making designs on the teacher and you're talking about fairness?"

"Pepa." The eldest sister dragged out her name, rolling her eyes.

"Still, come on!" It was almost as if she was cringing at the thought, "And you heard what mother said."

"I know what she said, that doesn't mean I have to agree with it, and I certainly will not support it."

"What are you going to do?"

"Nevermind what I'm going to do."

"Please, stop." Bruno held up his hands. Both of his sisters turned to look at him, "Look, you don't need to fight with madre for me Julieta, and I'm not making designs on anyone."