Twelve years ago

TWELVE YEARS AGO
 
 
Yes, it was twelve years ago, when I visited Rio and decided to call Noemia. Rio de Janeiro is a wonderful city – you go to the beach in the morning and feel like doing things for the rest of the day. The hot sun and the sea water influence your spirits in a way that you just keep moving, eager to enjoy whatever possible.
“- Noemia, my dear, how are things?”
“- Not very well. You see, I lost my job, I`m not a qualified professional, as you know, so it´s not easy for me to find a new one. But it´s wonderful to hear from you! Are you in Rio?”
“-Yes, I just came for a few days.
“-Really? What have you been doing?”
“- I´ve been going to the beach , to restaurants ...
“-We should meet for a drink, maybe a nice place to dance. I know one which is fabulous ...
 
We did. The place was nice, the music was superb. The middle-aged gentleman at a table next to us invited me to dance and in a few seconds was telling me about his recent misfortune: his wife had died and left him alone after a twenty-four-year old marriage. I saw my beer getting warm at the table and gained courage to interrupt him.(I´m not usually a bad listener, but I hate warm beer) Then he invited Noemia for a dance. For a long time they danced and talked, I mean, he talked. I could guess Noemia learned everything about him during their walk on the dance floor. Back at the table, they continued their acquaintance sipping their drinks and dancing a bit more, my friend listening quietly as if she were the older person. I could never understand how Noemia could be so patient and quiet, never in a hurry to live and let live.When we said goodbye I took a taxi to my hotel and saw the gentleman was giving Noemia a ride.
 
The next day we talked:
“-Did he take you home?”
“-Well, no, he took me to his home.”
“-Oh, so now you´re back to your apartment.”
“-Just to pick my things. He invited me for the weekend; he´s a nice person, and what am I going to do here, just thinking about the bills I have to pay?”
 
After my trip, back in Brasilia, engaging into my work routine, I heard from her.
“-I had to tell you the news.”
“- You got a job!”
“-No. Walter and I are living together. He´s such a nice person, he said I don´t have to worry about money anymore. He even paid my debts!”
“-That sounds really good.”
 
A few days ago, twelve years later, Noemia called.
“-It´s been a long time, Noemia! How are things?”
“-Well, Walter died. He was a good man, he helped me in everything. I miss him.”
“-Yes, but now you must face things and think of your future ...”
“-That´s the problem. Walter left me some money, he even tried to teach me how to use it, but I spent everything gambling at the Bingo casino. I guess I felt lonely and sad after his death, that´s why. He would die again if he knew what I did with the money he left me.
“-I feel sorry about it, but now, Noemia, it´s no use to cry over it ...
“- It´s easier said than done, my dear.”
“-Look, I´m going to Rio this weekend. We can meet and maybe, who knows, I can help you to think it over.
“- That´s very good. You just can´t imagine how happy I am to know that you´ll be here in a few days. We can go out together, listen to some good music.I know a fabulous place where we can go to have a drink and dance ...
 
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