Bruno Madrigal Snippets

First Day of School

Bruno and I watched as our children prepared for this important day.

The twins were now five years old, and today is their first day of school.

Reyna was chattering excitedly with her cousins, nearly a year older than them. Renya was listening with rapt attention as Isabella told her all about the teacher who was in charge of the transitional class.

Pedro looked nervous, much like his father when he is facing an uncomfortable situation.

With practiced ease, we split our attention. Bruno prepared our daughter for school, making sure she had everything she would need, while I took Pedro to his bedroom.

"What's wrong Corazon? I thought you were excited to start school." I asked my son as he looked down nervously.

"I'm just nervous Mama. This is the first time Reyna, and I will be with other kids, besides our primas. What if nobody likes me? What if I don't make any friends?" He asked. I smiled gently at my darling son.

"You'll do fine, Corazon. You are a wonderful boy. Just remember, you and your sister are not the only ones going to school for the first time. There will be other children feeling just as nervous as you are. Just be nice, and they will see just how wonderful a boy you are."

"But what I don't find a friend? I'm not like Reyna." I pulled my son into my lap.

"Did I ever tell you about your Papa and my first day of school?" I asked him and internally grinned at his wide eyes.

"You and Papa had to go to school?" He asked in wonder, just like most children when learning that their parents had once been children.

"Yep. We were just like you and your sister at one time. Your tias, Papa, and I started school together. We were all nervous. Your Tia Julieta was able to hide the nervousness just like your sister. She listened to the older kids talking about school. Your Tia Pepa was the most obvious in her nervousness, she couldn't stop sprinkling. Like you, she was worried about making friends."

"Because of her gift?"

"Exactly. She was afraid that kids would be afraid of her because of her storms."

"She can't help it...why would kids not like her?"

"Most kids tend to be scared of storms. She was worried about that."

"Oh."

"Anyway. Your Papa and I were just as nervous. We had been friends all of our lives. My Mama and Papa were good friends with your Abuela, so we grew up together. But this was the first time we would be around other kids. We knew we'd still in the same class, but your Papa was worried about me making other friends and forgetting him."

"You would never forget Papa!" Pedro exclaimed.

"No, I wouldn't. Even back then he was my best friend, and I didn't want to be away from him. He was worried that I'd make friends with kids that wouldn't want to be around him. He thought that if I made new friends, I'd choose them over him. I never would have, but he didn't know that."

"He was afraid of losing you as a friend."

"Yep. But you want to know a secret?" I asked. He nodded, curious. "I was afraid of losing him too."

"You were?!"

"Yeah. That was what I was nervous for. I already knew how amazing your Papa was. How wonderful a friend he was. You're a lot like your Papa you know. You are both kind and gentle. You both love helping others. I feared that he'd make friends and not need me around anymore. I remember being so scared that I began becoming withdrawn when I wasn't with your Papa. My Mama was worried about me."

"What happened?"

"The night before our first day of school, I had a very bad dream, that left me in tears. Mama heard me crying, and she rushed into my room and held me close. Just like your Papa did when you were worried about your gift. I told my Mama about my dream."

"What did you dream Mama?"

"I dreamed that we started school, and your Papa made lots of friends. Friends that didn't want me around. These friends would tease me, calling me a dumb girl for ever thinking your Papa would be my friend when he had them. I'd reach out to your Papa, and he'd glance between me and them, and he'd choose them. I'd end up alone. Your tias would leave me as well, since your Papa wasn't my friend anymore."

"Did your Mama help you like Papa helped me?"

"She did. I felt much better talking to her. The next day, I was still nervous, but I didn't let anyone see it. Your Papa, though was becoming more nervous as we got ready. I asked him about it, and that was when I found out that he had the same fear I had. We talked to each other about our fears and promised each other to remain friends, no matter if we made other friends."

"You stayed friends forever right?"

"We did." I smiled. Pedro hugged me tightly.

"Gracias Mama. I don't feel as scared. You and Papa were scared when you started school, but everything was okay for you. So I know that I'll be okay too. I have Reyna, Isabela and Dolores."

"And you will always have them Corazon." I put my son down and stood up. "So are you ready for your first day?"

"Yeah!" He grinned, grabbing his bag and rushing out of his room, calling out to his Papa as he passed him.

I came out of my son's bedroom, closing the door as I spotted my handsome husband, smirking at me.

"Telling him about our first day of school Amor?" He asked.

"You know it." We looked over to the balcony, as the children followed Pepa and Julieta outside for their first day of school.

"I can't believe that it's been so long since we started school." He stated. I smiled as I laid my head on his shoulder.

"Seems like it was just yesterday that we were so worried about losing each other doesn't it?" I asked. Bruno turned towards me and pulled me into his arms.

"I still can't help but be surprised that you were that afraid of losing me as a friend. Did you really have a dream like the one you told Pedro?"

"I did. In the dream, we were in the classroom, and you were surrounded by a group of kids. I was just standing awkwardly in the corner of the room, watching you talk and laugh with the other kids. Anytime I tried to walk over to you, I was blocked. Calling out to you led to the kids around you making fun of me. "Why would Bruno be interested in a dumb girl when he has all of us?" The kids would ask. They'd laugh and call me pathetic for even thinking you'd want to spend time with me. You had all of them now. The last thing I saw before waking up was watching you give me one sad glance, before walking away with the group." I replied.

He held me tighter, and I relaxed in his comforting embrace. Talking about that dream brought up all those old fears. I nuzzled his neck, wrapping my arms around him as well.

"I had a similar dream you know." He began. I looked up, startled. He looked down at me sadly. "My dream was very similar to yours, except you joined in with the laughter and mocking." I felt him lay his head on top of mine as he continued.

"I was surprised when you told me that you were just as afraid. I was glad we made that promise, but it wasn't until a couple of weeks after school began that I finally realized I wouldn't lose you... it was during recess that day. A group of kids wanted you to play some game with them. Nobody even looked towards me, just sitting on the steps of the school. I fully expected you to play with them and leave me alone." I squeezed him gently.

"I remember that. You looked so sad and lonely. I didn't like seeing you like that. I decided that if they weren't asking you to join in the game, I wasn't going to play. I denied their request and walked right over to you. You were so surprised when I sat down beside you, and when I began talking to you, you grinned."

"I was so happy that you still wanted to be my friend. Then Hernando and Jorge came over. They didn't really want to play either." He replied.

"We all played our own game. That was fun."I laughed.

"I'm so glad we were friends. I will always feel lucky to know that you chose to keep me in your life Y/n. I love you so much." He kissed my forehead.

I lifted my head to press my lips against his.

"I love you too Bruno. I think I am the lucky one. I got a wonderful friend, and an amazing husband. I also got a loving family and two beautiful children out of the deal." I smiled at him, as I brushed by hand through his thick hair.

Life may have changed since the days we were afraid of losing each other, but those changes have been for the better.

I couldn't ask for a better life than the one with my husband and family.