The Larsons had moved, and tried their business deal, in hot August. Two months later and most to all of the particulars were settled, the Riveras had a very good supply of leather, and more guaranteed to just them than the old Tannery even. Sure, given the nature of the business, the Larson's farm and nearby (but not too close!) Tannery, set up in the old building, were all the way outside town, but Trent still came by often enough that he and Miguel were also getting the particulars settled on their Mariachi band...or as near a band as a Twelve and Thirteen year old could have.

Since Miguel had returned music to the family, all of his primos had tried some form of instrument, and Rosa had already settled on the violin, but Trent was always praising how good she was, and boldly enough once asked and tried to get her to join up with them and be the violin to their band; without asking Miguel no less! She declined of course, and Miguel was still not sure if Trent was just trying extra hard to get the band up or what...

His friend seemed encouraging like that, and was just as enthused and supporting of Miguel's budding tries at song writing.

It was Dia de los Muertos once more and all of Miguel's focus was put to that at the moment, and helping Abuela. He knew already that, despite everything a year ago, he wouldn't be able to see his dead family members, but knowing they were there would somehow be enough...he told himself.

Of course in playing together in the plaza so often, he had since heard of Trent's family particulars, and his grandfather from Santa Cecilia, but knew they didn't celebrate Dia de los Muertos or put up an Ofrenda, Trent's mother had let that tradition just die off. Not that Miguel was blaming her, and he hadn't taken it serious once too. Still...especially in the days leading up, he almost tried to mention to Trent what he knew, and couldn't get the thought out of his head of how Trent's grandfather, lost when the boy was four, might be one of the forgotten and fading. Mrs. Larson seemed like his his crucial last one alive.

Of course he would have sounded more than un poco loco if he tried to tell of what he knew!

And again, he shouldn't blame his now good friend, or his mother. In fact not wanting to just guilt trip was part of what stalled his tongue the few times he had almost said something or asked.

Abuelita recalled the old Señor and Sra. Perez who had died alone years after their only son had left, in the days when she was a young woman, but whatever she thought on it then or now, she didn't say, and even with 'Papa Héctor' restored, the Riveras had no ground to judge really.

A full invite had been extended to the Larsons to stop by town that night, but Miguel wasn't surprised or offended when they were too busy with their farm; though he had sort of wished he could play his music with Trent for what he knew Papá Héctor (as well as Mamá Coco!) was somewhere watching. Show off how he (and they) were one more step towards an even localized Mariachi band, though of course that wasn't the only reason he kept Trent around.

The family, Trent, his parents and tío, did show up later on that evening though! In time for Leche Flan! Miguel teased his friend on this, and showing up for dessert, while trying to ask if he even knew what Flan was.

"Oh yes, we planned the whole thing out, not a moment sooner than even!", Trent answered the first, and it wasn't sarcasm, but rather just friendly ribbing back that he threw; Miguel laughed with him.

Trent declared (only to Miguel) that the look of Flan was unsure, but pronounced it good on first tasting, and made sure to compliment Miguel's Mamá and Abuela. Both woman smiled, and Luisa gave the boy a hug, asking how the Rivera's own first pay back gift of new boots for Trent fit.

"Very well! Thank-you Ma'am!", Trent grinned.

Benny dropped his Flan and the sandy-blonde headed youth immediately walked over to offer his plate, "Aww, here you go Benny".

"Trent, you don't have to do that", Rosa informed, though didn't sound ungrateful about the boy's being nice and did smile to him. Trent grinned back, "It's really no problem, I'll find something else. Here Benny", he said again, handing the plate this time.

"What a sweet boy", Tia Gloria praised. Abeulita just studied the boy.

With the celebration more or less dying down, Luisa came and took Coco back from Miguel and convened everyone, including their guests, into the Rivera household. Miguel turned to see where Trent had disappeared to and soon spotted him peeking and then walking into the Rivera Ofrenda room. He smiled and followed, knowing his friend was just curious over what he didn't know, and maybe this would be a good time to try to mention...well no...not everything!

Miguel saw Trent studying the photos and then offerings. He went to speak, but then paused, and what he was about to say, explaining on the relatives, changed as he saw Trent only curiously pick up a pan dulce from Tía Victoria's side and...

"No, Trent don't!", before he could fully process all of his worry, and all of what could go wrong, Miguel was calling out to his friend, but it was too late. On first bite, Trent disappeared and...Miguel knew exactly what had happened, even without the petals to tell all! "Trent!", he knew the other boy was still there, knew he could hear and see him even though Miguel couldn't. He rushed up into the Ofrenda room. "D-don't worry, it's ok...you're...you're ok, I'll...", Help somehow...I just don't know how...

Well...he knew one way...

Two months may have seemed a short time for what he was about to risk, but Miguel didn't even hesitate to pick up another pan dulce from Tía Victoria's part of the Ofrenda and copy his amigo and band mate's actions to follow and try to help him. It would be easier for him anyway, he could easily find his familia, they were maybe even still close by, but...he didn't know how they would get Trent back...

One thing at a time though! As he bit down, Miguel felt the familiar rush of crossing the boundary.