**Chapter 2: The Weight of Tradition**

The days leading up to the Day of the Dead celebrations were always chaotic, but this year seemed particularly hectic. Luisa found herself working longer hours, helping her father and brother meet the demanding orders for custom shoes and decorations. Enrique's new designs were proving to be a hit, but they required a lot of extra work to perfect. As she stitched together a pair of intricate leather boots, Luisa's mind began to wander to her own artistic pursuits. She had always kept her passion for drawing and painting a secret, sneaking time to work on her own projects whenever she could. But with the Day of the Dead approaching, she felt inspired to create something special. Luisa spent her lunch break sketching out ideas for a traditional Mexican-style altar, one that she could display in the shop window. She envisioned a beautiful arrangement of marigolds, candles, and papier-mâché skeletons, with a few personal touches to make it truly unique. When she returned to the shop, Héctor and Enrique were in the midst of a heated discussion. "Papa, I don't think we can make these boots in time," Enrique said, frustration etched on his face. "The design is too complicated, and we're already behind schedule." Héctor scowled, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in concern. "We have to make it work, m'ijo. We can't disappoint our customers. Luisa, can you help Enrique with the boots?" Luisa nodded, putting aside her own project for the moment. Together, the three of them worked tirelessly to bring Enrique's design to life. As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the shop, they finally finished the boots. The customer, a harried-looking woman, arrived to pick up the shoes just as they were finishing up. Her eyes widened as she took in the stunning boots, adorned with intricate stitching and colorful threads. "Señor Rivera, they're beautiful," she exclaimed. "You truly are a master craftsman." Héctor beamed with pride, but Luisa couldn't help feeling a pang of resentment. Why did her father get all the recognition, while she worked behind the scenes? She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the upcoming Day of the Dead celebrations. That evening, as the family sat down to a traditional Mexican dinner, Héctor announced that he had a special surprise planned for the holiday. "I've been working on a secret project, something that will bring the whole community together," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. Luisa's curiosity was piqued, but she had a feeling that her father's surprise might just disrupt her own plans. Little did she know, the Day of the Dead was about to become a lot more complicated – and transformative – than she could have ever imagined.