It's the week leading up to Antonio's birthday and ceremony. Mirabel was dreading everything. She had constant knots in her stomach, and she was having a hard time sleeping. Her apatite was decreasing, and it was becoming apparent during meal times where she would just push her food around.
She tried to keep under the radar as best she could, as she tried not getting in the way. Too bad that it was harder than she anticipated. She was about to get started on her chores, when she was stopped by her Tío Félix. "¡Hola niña! ¿Por qué tan sombrío?" He asked, as he ushered her to sit down on the couch.
Mirabel was wringing her hands, thinking of what to say. "Just been thinking a lot lately. That's all,"
Félix understood. After what happened with her ceremony, it was understandable for her to have some anxieties about Antonio's ceremony. "You look tired, chequita," He said, and frowned as he noticed the bags forming under her eyes.
"It's just, um, what if- what if it ends up the same as last time? ¿Qué pasa si él termina como-" She was about to finish her sentence when he cut her off.
"Aye, none of that. You know it'll be fine. He'll receive a gift," He tried to reason.
Mirabel kept on picking at some loose skin on her fingers. "They said the same thing to me. You know, before," She sniffled, as Félix nodded.
She did have a point; they didn't know if he'd receive a gift. That wasn't going to change anything, though. "Even if he doesn't receive one, we'll love him just the same," He reminded her, leaving the 'just like we do with you' unsaid, hoping she'd understand the message.
There was a silence, but it was interrupted with Mirabel's stomach rumbling. "Let's get you some food," He announced, while taking her to the kitchen where her Mamá was already making food for the day.
She gave them a questioning look, when Félix explained what was going on. "Hija, here, eat these. Gracias, Félix," Julieta said, while giving Mirabel some arepas.
Mirabel begrudgingly ate them as she muttered under her breath between bites. She finished the two arepas she was given, but her stomach protested. "I don't- don't feel so good," She admitted, and rushed to the bathroom with Julieta on her heels.
Julieta was at a loss. She could heal people's injuries or sickness, but she knew if it was in their head, she couldn't do anything about it. And she felt helpless as she watched her youngest dry heave in the toilet. All she could do was rub circles on her back, trying to sooth her.
When they came back, Félix had a glass of water ready for her. "Why don't you take the day off, Niña?" He asked as she drank it.
"But my chores-" She protested, still trying to make herself useful to the family.
"Your Pa and I will take care of them. Don't worry about it. You need your rest," He ordered.
Julieta nodded in agreement. "He's right. Let's get you back to your room," She said, without even thinking about.
"The nursery," Mirabel corrected, as Julieta pinched the bridge of her nose.
She sighed. "Mira, you know what I meant," She said in a stern, but loving voice.
"Lo Siento. I'm tired. I haven't slept all week. I can't eat. All over Antonio's ceremony," She lamented, as she let the tears finally fall down.
"Shhhh, Mira, Antonio will be fine! We will deal with whatever happens when it comes. All we can do now is wait," Félix comforted her, and he gave her a hug along with Julieta.
"Can't breathe," Mirabel said, as her sobs turned into sniffles.
The two adults ushered her back to the nursery. They reassured her that her chores will all be taken care of, and that she needed to rest and take the day off.
