Coco

Related To De La Cruz

Miguel strums his guitar as de la Cruz imparts his wisdom. More clips run in the background as Miguel plays. As Miguel watches de la Cruz play guitar in the video, he repeats the melody on his own guitar. The boy loses himself in the music. Miguel's tune intertwines with the melodies on the TV set. The clip jumps forward. Y/N looks over her shoulder to see Miguel scoot forward, "...and make it come true." The tape ends. "No more hiding, Dante. I gotta seize my moment!" Miguel waves the flyer and turns to Y/N, "I'm gonna play in Mariachi Plaza if it kills me!"

Children run by with sparklers as Abuelita opens the doors to the family compound, "Día de los Muertos has begun!" In the courtyard, two toddler cousins haphazardly scatter marigold petals from their baskets.

"No, no, no, no, no." Mamá corrects them, creating a path from the ofrenda room to the front gate. "We have to make a clear path. The petals guide our ancestors' home. We don't want their spirits to get lost. We want them to come and enjoy all the food and drinks on the ofrenda, sí?" As Mamá teaches, Miguel, Y/N, and Dante sneak across the roof and drop to the sidewalk outside the compound, Miguel clutching his guitar.

Suddenly Tío Berto and Papá round the corner carrying a small table from storage. "Mamá, where should we put this table?"

Miguel and Dante back up to avoid the adults, only to find Abuelita sweeping the sidewalk behind them! Miguel and Dante jump into the back into the Rivera courtyard before she sees them.

"In the courtyard, mijos."

"You want it down by the kitchen?"

"Sí. Next to the other one."

Y/N calmly follows Miguel back out of the courtyard and into the family ofrenda room. Nearly cornered, he ushers Dante past a sleeping Mamá Coco. He stashes the dog and the guitar under the ofrenda table. What can she do? She's invisible and can't be heard by anyone except her nephew.

"Miguel!"

Miguel straightens up to notice the doorway of the ofrenda room darkened by three figures. Miguel spins around and quickly replies, "Nothing!" His Abuelita and parents stare straight at him. A pit grows in his stomach; he's been caught. "Mamá -- Papá, I-- "

Papá lifts his finger to silence his son, "Miguel... Your Abuelita had the most wonderful idea! We've all decided -- it's time you joined us in the workshop!" Abuelita hands Papá a leather apron, which he hangs over Miguel's shoulders.

"What?!" Both he and Y/N yelled.

Papa grins, "No more shining shoes -- you will be making them! Every day after school!" Abuelita shuffles toward Miguel, squealing. She squeezes his cheeks, full of pride. "Our Migueli-ti-ti-ti-to carrying on the family tradition! And on Día de los Muertos! Your ancestors will be so proud!" She gestures to the shoes adorning the ofrenda.

Y/N scoffs, "I'm not proud..." She mutters quietly, "And I'm part of the family." Abuelita continues, "You'll craft huaraches just like your Tía Victoria." His Papa grins, "And wingtips, like your Papá Julio-- " Miguel crosses away from the ofrenda, "But what if I'm no good at making shoes?"

Papa lightly sighs, "Ah, Migue... You have your family here to guide you... You are a Rivera. And a Rivera is...?" Miguel bows his head, "...A shoemaker. Through and through." Papá swells, "That's my boy!" He calls out, "Berto, break out the good stuff; I wanna make a toast!"

Papá heads out of the room, and Mamá follows. Last is Abuelita, who smothers Miguel with tons of kisses as she leaves. With the family gone, Miguel deflates. Suddenly, a noise comes from the ofrenda. Miguel and Y/N turn to find Dante on the bottom tier, licking a plate of mole to his heart's content. Miguel is horrified!