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All day, Mirabel had put on a brave face, but now the hurt of being unseen and feeling unworthy rose like a looming shadow. She wanted more than anything to earn her spot in the family portrait. Everyone seemed to know their role and their place in the family. Was there still room on the wall for her?
Mirabel headed to the courtyard, leaving behind the dancing and music. She didn't feel like celebrating. Instead, she stared at the magical candle, hoping for another miracle. She wanted the candle to listen to her the way it had listened to Abuela so long ago.
Suddenly, there was a crackle. A tile from the rooftop came crashing down to the floor. Something was wrong. The house wouldn't just break like that! Mirabel quickly picked up the broken tile for closer inspection, cutting her hand on its sharp edges. She winced, briefly distracted by the pain. Then she noticed that all the courtyard tiles were fritzing out. They were malfunctioning! Mirabel watched them, confused. What was happening?
“Casita?” she said, her voice quavering. This had never happened before.
She placed her hand on the wall as if to comfort the house...when CRACK! A small fissure in the stucco began to form near her hand. The crack continued to spread along the wall; then it splintered. Mirabel stepped back, frightened. More cracks appeared, snaking across the wall. They rippled everywhere! Mirabel raced up the stairs to follow the main crack. It slithered past Abuelo Pedro's portrait and on to the second floor! For a second, Mirabel lost it, but then she heard the familiar chilling snap of the wall as it broke apart. She glanced down the hallway and saw the crack pass Isabela's room, nearly extinguishing the door's magical glow.
Mirabel continued to rush after it, following its trail past Luisa's door, then Bruno's creepy tower, on toward Abuela's door, and then to the candle! As the cracks swirled and multiplied, the candle's bright flame dimmed. Mirabel watched in horror as the whole house darkened around her!
Meanwhile, the celebration in Antonio's room was in full fiesta mode. On the dance floor, everyone twirled and stepped to the lively salsa music.
“Abuela!” Tío Felix exclaimed, pulling Abuela Alma up from her seat to dance. Abuela let loose with a few dance moves. “Okay, okay—wepa!”
Suddenly, Mirabel barged in, panicked. “The house is in danger! The house is in danger!” she screamed. The band stopped, and everyone gaped at Mirabel, concerned. “The tiles were falling, and there were cracks everywhere and...the candle almost went out!” Mirabel exclaimed, breathing hard. Everyone at the party began to murmur uncomfortably.
Abuela looked around, noticing how upset some of the guests were. She needed to act quickly. She turned to Mirabel. “Show me.”
Mirabel led the family to the courtyard, where the cracks had waged their destructive path, but when they arrived, there were no cracks in the walls! And the candle's flame shined brightly.
“It started right there,” Mirabel said. “The house was breaking. The candle was in trouble. Casita?” Mirabel pleaded. The house didn't respond.
Abuela looked at the candle, then back to Mirabel, embarrassed and disappointed.
“Abuela, I promise, I—”
“That's enough,” Abuela said, giving Mirabel a stern glance. The crowd exchanged nervous whispers. “There is nothing wrong with la Casa Madrigal!” Abuela said, turning to address the crowd with a confident smile. “The magic is strong...and so are the drinks! Please, music! Dance!”
Mirabel's father motioned to Luisa, who quickly brought him a piano to play to smooth over the awkwardness in the room. Isabela passed by Mirabel and scoffed at her. Again, Mirabel felt alone and confused. Around her, everyone headed back to the party, but not without first passing her a judgmental look.
Mirabel's mom glanced over at her with worry. Mirabel stood there, confused; she knew what she had seen.