The Son Of Bruno Madrigal

Gone Like The Wind

It was around 2 o' clock at night, the night that Mirabel didn't get a gift. Everyone was sleeping but one person. Bruno stood in front of his 6 year old son's door, clutching a piece of paper and a small box in his left hand. He reaches out to grab the doorknob to the room and freezes. He was having second thoughts but he knew he wouldn't be able to bring Eddie with him. He takes a deep breath and opens the door.

Bruno steps into the room, careful as to not wake his son. He sees drawings and blank sheets of paper littered around the room, and a couple books, which at the time the small child didn't understand, laying open in front of the bookshelf. Bruno walked cautiously, he held back tears, not only because he felt bad, but also so he wouldn't wake Eddie.

Once Bruno got to Eddie's bedside, he gently sat down and looked at his son who was peacefully sleeping, sadness in his eyes. He didn't want to leave him but he felt like he had no other choice. He places the small box and the sheet of paper onto the boys nightstand and looks back at him. He brushed some curls behind his ear as tears stung his eyes.

"I'm so sorry bud.. please forgive me.." Bruno whispered.

He places a soft and gentle kiss on his forehead, and gently stood up whispering "I'll miss you."

He quietly walks to the door, leaving without saying goodbye to anyone else.

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As the sun shines through the boy's window, his eyes fluttered open. He yawned with a big stretch like he did any morning except this morning, he hit his hand on his nightstand and felt something odd. He noticed a paper and a small box with 'E.M' written on it, his initials.

"What is this?" The boy reaches for the box first and opens it. He sees a necklace with a pendant the shape of an hourglass.

After putting on the necklace the boy turns his attention to the paper. He notices that the other side had writing on it. It said:

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Dear Eddie, when you wake up I hope that this letter finds you well, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you this in person...

I have left casita. I  had to leave because our- my gift wasn't helping the family, but I know you will find a way to be helpful. I'm so sorry Eddie, I'm leaving you alone but I'm sure that your Tia's will be there to help you and your familia will take good care of you because where I'm going, I don't think I would be able to so it's best if you stay here...

Please make sure you take good care of yourself. If you ever need help with something whether it be homework or tying your shoelaces, ask Julieta or Pepa, I'm sure they will be able to help you.

I love you Eddie, always know that. Wherever I may be just know that I will always love you my dear boy.

-Tu papa, Bruno 

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The boy stared at the note, his eyes began to sting with tears. 

"He didn't leave... Right?.." Eddie whispered to himself, his grip on the paper tightened.

In disbelief he ran downstairs, hoping to see his father standing in the kitchen talking with is Tia or outside, chasing Camilo and Mirabel around like any other morning. When he made it to the kitchen and saw only his Tia Julieta standing there cooking, and not hearing the giggles and screams of his primo and prima from being chased by his father, the boy began to sob causing his aunt to spin around and look at him.

"Lee! What's wrong honey?" Julieta panicked at the sight of her nephew, who rarely cried unless injured, bawling his eyes out.

"I... I.. Papa he.." the boy choked. He didn't know what to say.

Then he got an idea. Desperate to see his father he dashed to his father's room, hoping that maybe, he had just slept in. He ran to Bruno's door and upon stopping he saw that the once brightly glowing yellow door, was now a dull, normal colored door.

"Eddie, please tell me. What's wrong?" Julieta said, her tone as soft as ever.

"Papa left!" The boy sobbed, releasing the paper from his hand which fell to the ground, stained with tears and slightly crumpled from the boys grip.

"Bruno left?.." Julieta said, sadness filled her tone.

"Come here Lee.." Julieta spread her arms open wide.

Eddie ran into his Tia's arms, he was sobbing uncontrollably. "He's actually gone..." Julieta thought, beginning to cry. Eddie buried his head into her shoulder as he cried, holding tightly onto his Tia, he sobbed his eyes out until he fell asleep in his Tia's arms.