New Shoes

Unsaid Goodbye

The next morning, Joaquin had once again failed to sneak around the mansion in order to get to the medals. He had spent the next few days gathering tools he'd need, but now all that was left was to climb the tower.

He was hiding in a cramped closet thinking to himself, “Why do I keep thinking this will work? I can't do this anymore. If this is going to work, I need to come back tonight when I won't be spotted.”

Joaquin slowly walked out of the closet, only to retreat back inside when he heard the door open. He peeked through the closet door and saw the cobbler walk in.

“This is his room?! It's official! I'm cursed!”

The cobbler sat down on a stool and flipped through a sketchbook. He seemed engrossed in whatever he was doing, so Joaquin decided that now was the best time to move.

Manolo looked at the book pages. He wished Maria was with him making small talk. Maria and the mayor were away for a meeting that morning. The sooner he fixes the shoes, the sooner he can work on his new project.

Just as he was about to start working, he heard the faint creaking of floorboards. Manolo turned around to see nothing. He turned back and found himself face to face with the same thief from a few weeks ago.

“What-” Before he could do anything, the thief aggressively pushed him to the ground, grabbing the shoe from the table and ran out the door.

Manolo scrambled to his feet, chasing after the thief, “Hey! Stop!”

Joaquin ran through the large house. He didn't care who saw him, he just kept running, “What am I doing?! I need to escape this guy! There has to be a way to lose him for good! And why the heck did I take the shoe?! I don’t  even want this!”

The two gave chase for a while, until Manolo crashed into someone, sending him to the floor again. He looked up in time to see the thief escape through a window, dropping Maria’s shoe on his way out.

Manolo quickly grabbed the shoe when he heard Xibalba, “How dare-” He scoffed seeing it was Manolo, “I see attacking me once wasn't enough for you, was it, cobbler?” He saw the shoe in Manolo’s grip, “Ah, and I see you've finished señorita’s shoes.” He ripped the shoe from Manolo’s grasp.

Xibalba chuckled menacingly, “Of course, this means we have no real use for you, anymore. And seeing that this is the second time you've attacked me, I know exactly what to do with you.”

He grabbed Manolo aggressively by the shirt collar and dragged him out the door, “Let me go!” He tried to get out of Xibalba's grasp, but the older man's grip was too strong.

“Don't think I don't know what you've been up to.” He tightened his hold on Manolo, “I know you and the mayor's daughter have been getting close. I warned you to stay in your place, cobbler, and now I'll make sure you will.”

From outside, Joaquin hid in the shadows of the mansion. He watched as Xibalba dragged the cobbler away, “Huh. I guess that takes him off my back.” He rushed off to wait until nightfall to come back.

…

It wasn't until late afternoon that Maria and the mayor finally returned home. The first thing Maria did was grab her sketchbook and head to Manolo’s room. 

“Manolo, I, uh, wanted to tell you that… you mean a lot to me.” Maria said to herself, “I can't speak for you, but I think you care for me too, right? I want you to know that I care about you, no matter what. I-I even wanted to show you my art, finally.” She groaned and took a deep breath, “It'll be fine. Just tell him how you…”

Maria looked up and saw Manolo’s door was wide open. She quickly rushed inside to find it empty, “Manolo?” 

She noticed a few things were out of place and the closet was open. The thing she found most out of place was Manolo’s sketchbook left open on the table. He never left it out for all to see. She knew she shouldn't, but Maria just had to look. 

On the open pages were sketches of beautiful black shoes embroidered with red and gold thread roses. On the corner of the page, he had written “Maria.” 

Maria gasped. He was going to make her new shoes. Just for her.

She got more worried as she looked around. Something was wrong. Manolo wouldn't just leave like this, not without letting her know.

…

Manolo looked out of his cell sadly. It was cold and dark and lonely. How could he let this happen? How could he just let Xibalba throw him in jail like that? Away from… from Maria.

Even while he knew he couldn't be with Maria, it broke him to be away from her. What would she think happened to him? Would she think he just left? 

He almost felt like this was all his fault. If he had done more, he'd still at least be near her a little while longer.

…

Maria asked about Manolo throughout the mansion, but no one had seen him. During dinner, while her father was nodding off over his food, she asked, “Papa?”

The mayor blinked, becoming lucid, “Huh? What… what is it, mija?”

“Do you know where Manolo went?”

“Oh, uh… no, I haven't seen him. Was he not with you?”

“He wasn't in his room. I'm worried about him.”

“Oh, I'm sure he's fine wherever he is. A fine young man, he is. He shouldn't… have any trouble finding a girl.”

After dinner, Maria went to her room, not knowing what else to do.

“What's the matter, mija?” Anna asked.

“He can't just be gone.” She said, not acknowledging Anna.

The older woman sighed, “You're still thinking about that boy?” 

“I can't help but feel like something happened to him. Don't you think it's weird that he left without a word?”

“I think it's time you stop worrying about that cobbler. He did his work here and he left. Not to mention he stole your shoe.”

Maria shook her head, “No, that's… he wouldn't.”

“Take it from me. You need to forget him. I don't understand your sudden obsession with him.” Anna left the room. 

Maria sighed and sat on her bed. She looked at the drawing of new shoes he had. It was just for her. She didn't know if it was supposed to be a surprise, but either way, she loved them.

She had to try and find Manolo. She didn't know what was worse; the fact that Manolo was gone, or that she didn't get to say goodbye.