The Real American Idol

Book reading/Nancy's party

It was close to 5 o'clock, and Sara and Pablo came home at the same time Lily and Miley came to Casita Mendoza.

"Hi, doctor, officer," Miley waved.

"Hello, Miley, Lily," Sara smiled. "What brings you here?"

"We're here to take Mirabela to Nancy's house for her Sweet 16 party," Lily replied.

"Lily, didn't you hear?" Pablo asked. "Mirabela is sick—she won't be going anywhere."

Sara was horrified to hear that her daughter was sick. "Why? What happened?" she gasped.

"The supreme chef catering the pre-party made foods with lobster in them, and nobody told Mirabela until after she ate it," Pablo replied.

Before anyone knew it, Pedro's car pulled into the driveway, and he came out with a gift bag. "Hola, Pablo," he waved. Then he turned to his wife and said, "Hola, cariño." He gave Sara a loving kiss.

"Hola," Sara smiled.

"What have you been up to, Pedro?" Pablo asked.

"I went out and got Mirabela a little get-well gift," Pedro smiled.

Sara and the brothers entered the house with Lily and Miley following them in. In Mirabela's bedroom, she was lying in bed and watching TV with her cousins. Suddenly, there was a knock on her bedroom door.

"Entre," Mirabela called.

Lily and Miley entered Mirabela's bedroom, and Lily was very displeased with what she was seeing.

"Mirabela, what are you doing?" Lily scolded. "We're supposed to be going to Nancy's party."

"Lily, seriously?" Dulce glared.

"Don't you have something more important to do now?" Variel asked.

"Lily, I already told you 100 times that I'm not going to the party," Mirabela glared. "Besides, I'm sick to my stomach because that lunch today really upset my tummy. Tío Pablo said I should stay home and rest, and I should be back in school on Tuesday."

"Tuesday?" Lily screeched.

"Yes, and if you're not going to make my baby feel better, I suggest you leave," Pedro scolded, coming through the door.

Pablo and Sara came through the door.

"How are you feeling, mi vida?" Sara asked.

"I'm okay, Mami," Mirabela replied. "Not as bad as I felt last month, but I'm a little yucky."

"You'll be okay, Mira," Pablo said. He took a pill from a container and popped it into his niece's mouth, and he gave her a water bottle to drink down.

"Miraboo, I got you something," Pedro cooed, giving his daughter the gift bag.

"Oh, gracias, Papi," Mirabela smiled. She reached into the bag and pulled out a book. "The Princess Bride by S. Morgenstern."

"Oh, I remember that book," Pablo recalled. "Mamá and Papá used to read it to us whenever we were sick."

"Sí, and I figured I should read it to Mirabela," Pedro smiled.

"Maybe we can all hear the story together," Mirabela suggested, turning off the TV.

"I like that idea," Variel smiled.

"Yo también," Dulce smiled.

"I'd be happy to hear it," Sara grinned.

"Sounds good," Pablo smiled. "I'll go and get Sofia and Papá." He went to go and get his wife and father.