Obsession

2.

 " Ladies night you're saying hijo?" Julieta questions as she pours the food in each dish on each side of the table. They were at a meal the next day after Pepa's little " anger incident" and early in the morning, Camilo suggested they go to the festival.

" Since mama doesn't want to tell me what's wrong I think the best approach would be for her to relax a little at the dance festival. " Camilo explains as he sips a bit of food gazing at his mother with the end of his eyes from time to time. " I think a Madrigal sister's night out it's just what she needs. Me and Antonio already went there and we loved it! " 

Julieta noded, it's been a while since she and Pepa did anything together, not that she didn't want to, she was just buzzy with her own three kids and business not to mention that Bruno's absence fell hard on their shoulders and made them feel guilty. As for the reason why Pepa was fuming, she didn't know either, her sister was a bit, dramatic at times. 

" I care for your mother and I would love to spend some time with her just like in the old times! But someone has to manage the restaurant in my absence. I would leave mi marido, to tío with the job but he's highly allergic to spices, and he might get sick. " 

Camilo smiled, he found her affection for the pathetic man adorable. He was like a human pet, she took care of him, feed him, nursed him to health, a mystery to him why she ever fell in love with him. Tia was a strong, loving woman who know what she wanted, and had fair judgment.

" But tia isn't mama just as important? Don't you love her too? After all, you known mami long before tio." the boy questioned innocently but clearly with a goal behind his gesture. 

Julieta thought for a minute, guilt taking over her suddenly. She did neglect her relationship with her sister for a long time, wonder how Pepa felt about that? Was she upset? She didn't know, but what she realized was that she must do things right and give her sister, at last, a night for just then. 

" You know what, hijo, you are right! " she places the spoon back into the bowl, " I am sure Augustin will be alright, I mean it's just a night, what could go wrong?" 

Camilo grinned taking one last look at his mother who was in the hallway talking with his papa. 

" Thank you tia, eres un angel del cielo"

" My boy you flatter me," she caresses his curly head," promise me you'll help tio?" she asks still feeling a bit of fear for her fragile husband. 

" No problemo, me and prima Mirabel will help him out at the restaurant," he assured her a wide smile on his cheeky face. 

"Camilo, who will be babysitting tho?" she asked worriedly. She knows the kids adored him and it would be difficult to drop everything suddenly especially when people already had a schedule. 

" Hermana will, I talk with her this morning, she was very understanding." 

" Such a sweet girl," Julieta placed her palm above her heart, you are so lucky to have each other's back. I wish me and your tio were like that.

" Yeah, do you think he will ever get out of his room?" 

Julieta returned to the dishes scrubbing one with the soap-filled sponge. 

" Your tio was always a resourceful, lonely child, even in our childhood he spent most of his time just running up and down the stairs of his room. Ah, me and Pepa would waste hours looking for him during hid and seek. I miss those times. "

" Future more reason to join mama tonight. Worth a shot, right?" 

" Yes my hijo." Julieta smiled back squeezing her nephew's hand with her slightly wet one." We will be seeing you tomorrow."