Fly High, Butterfly

Chapter Eighteen

Bruno pet a few of his rats absentmindedly. He knew it was silly to be this despondent about having a literal bucket break, but it still hurt. A part of him was dependent on the simple item, and as such it felt as though a part of him died. So the rest of him mourned.

He had briefly considered trying to find a new bucket, but he knew it wouldn't feel right. He'd used that bucket for seven years! Getting a different one would just feel wrong. So he would just try and move on, despite knowing he probably wouldn't be able to anyway. Such a foolish thing, he would think dryly. That didn't stop the hurt.

The hurt, however, was momentarily paused when a light knocking on his door brought him out of his thoughts in time to see a very cheerful looking Pepa leaning into his room.

"Hermanito!" she practically sang, "You've been cooped up in here for far too long! Come on, come and spend time with us!"

Bruno gave an anxious chuckle, setting down the rat he had been holding, "Uhm, Pepa, I appreciate the concern, but—"

"Nonsense!" Pepa interrupted, grabbing him by the arm and lightly tugging him up. He registered with curiosity that she had a rainbow over her head. She really was happy. "Trust me, Bruno. You're gonna want to come out, okay?"

Bruno quirked an eyebrow but nodded, "Okay."

Pepa clapped, jumping once out of sheer excitement before quickly walking to the door, waving Bruno over to follow her. He did, albeit awkwardly. He wasn't very good at surprises, and something felt slightly off. Bruno didn't need to look into the future to know something was about to happen.

"Ah, come on, Bruno!" Pepa urged, "You look like you're being led to your death, lighten up!"

Bruno snorted, "Yeah, yeah, okay Pepa."

She led him to the living room, where he was surprised to see Mirabel, Camilo, Dolores, and Antonio standing anxiously. He couldn't help but let the anxiety creep onto his face.

When the four saw him, they lit up like fireworks.

"Tio Bruno!" Mirabel chirped happily, hands behind her back, "Come, come!"

He complied, eyeing her somewhat suspiciously, "What is happening?"

The four kids looked amongst themselves, before Dolores nodded to Antonio.

Antonio stepped up to Bruno, holding a piece of paper, a slightly sheepish smile on his small face, "I'm sorry that Sergio broke your bucket. He said he's really sorry." He pointed to the leopard sitting shockingly pitifully beside a chair. To be honest, he did look quite apologetic.

Bruno chuckled awkwardly, "Oh, sobrinito, you don't have to apologise—"

"I wasn't done yet!" Antonio interrupted rather loudly. A moment passed, and his smile returned, even brighter than before, "Sergio felt bad, so I helped him make you this card!"

He held up a card that was clearly homemade. On the outside, it just said 'I'm Sorry' in big letters, with a drawing of a sad leopard on the front. Opening the card, was a drawing of the leopard with the bucket in its mouth, cracks drawn over the bucket. The bucket was labeled with an arrow, saying 'broken', while the leopard was labeled 'meanie'. Bruno snorted, crouching down to hug his nephew.