Manuel Attends his Aunt's Funeral

The unexpected news of the death of Manuel's aunt was a blow to him.

He picks up the call at the store while I'm servicing customers. Gabriel is formal and polite, and delivers the bad news to Manuel.

He says he's catching the first plane to São Paulo. We close the store one hour earlier and return home. I help him pack. He hugs me tightly and asks me to stay and watch over the house and the store for him. He signs a couple of checks and hands them to me. They're to be used with our suppliers. Jurandir has already been told to take care of the store with me.

Our ride to Foz do Iguaçu International Airport is a long one--about one hour and a half hours--but enough for Manuel to catch the early evening flight still. Jurandir is driving the truck, while Manuel is in the passenger seat. I know he must be feeling awful, having lost a close relative so suddenly. Besides, he doesn't know what awaits him in the future.

As I've never been to an airport before, I am surprised to see all the cars in the immense parking lot. The long hall is already decorated for Christmas; after all, today is the last day of November.

Manuel purchases a plane ticket with Varig Airlines to Congonhas International Airport. His flight should leave in half an hour.

"Ken, I wish I could take you with me to fly and see the sky, and to visit the big city. My future depends on this trip, my precious. And you know how well I've tried to make life beautiful for you. I hope one day you'll understand it, my angel."

"I do, Manuel. I'll be waiting for your safe return." We kiss, and he enters the long queue for the boarding gate. We wave, and he disappears among the crowd.

"Do you want to see him enter the plane, Ken?" Jurandir asks.

"Of course!" We take the escalator to the second floor and watch the large runway. Then I see this huge airplane being fueled. I watch the staff loading the plane with countless pieces of luggage. Jurandir points to another big airplane. We see passengers heading to these tall ladders leading to the huge aircraft. Though it's beginning to get dark, we can still distinguish the passengers climbing the ladder. Among them, we see Manuel. We wave.

"Goodbye, Papa. Take heart and know that I'll not abandon you for anything in life. Be brave and come back to me! I'll be waiting for you."

When the last passenger climbs the ladder to enter the plane, one flight attendant closes the heavy, thick door, from inside the aircraft. The ground staff pulls back the boarding ladders. A large tractor then pushes the airplane backwards and manouvers to the right, turning the big airplane. We can see it sideways now. The staff then disconnects the tractor from the airplane. The engines start making a lot of noise. Then, it moves slowly on its own toward the head of the runway. My eyes are glued to the window, and I watch the plane turning around to take off. Then, to my surprise, the loud engines work at full power, causing a loud roar and blasting, making the plane reach an incredible speed. At last, it takes off and gains altitude. I wave and wipe a tear. I feel Jurandir's arm on my shoulder. I nod, and we head back to our truck.

On our way back, we talk about running the store and many details that I still need to learn. I also beg him to teach me to drive. He turns to me and smiles. He says Manuel will kill me when he finds out what I've been up to. I smile and tell him I'll be careful with Manuel's car. I also ask where Manuel keeps the Christmas decorations for the store. He shakes his head and tells me everything I need to know. Tomorrow we will have quite a busy day at work. I smile to myself and know that intimately, all these things will help take my mind away from his ordeal. What will happen to my poor dear Papa?

Jurandir and I have coffee at home, and he calls it a night. I close the heavy door and walk into the large empty house. How I wish Manuel were here with me. I check the back door and lock it. Then, I go upstairs and decide to go to bed early. I try to remember what time Manuel is going to arrive in São Paulo. Oh, now I remember! Jurandir told me it takes less than two hours, so he must be there already.

By ten P. M., the phone rings. I grab the receiver from the night table, and hold it tightly. My heart is pounding. Manuel says his flight has been pleasant and he's already in the apartment of his aunt. He met his cousin, who is now a grown-up man. He says he's going to meet some relatives at the funeral. The burial is going to be tomorrow. He then tells me I should sleep over at my parents' house for safety reasons, which I refuse. Then I wish him good luck and send him kisses.

"Good night, Papa. Be brave and know that I am with you, in mind and in my prayers."

"Good night, my angel. Sleep well, and don't work too much in the house or in the store! And I don't want you to worry about me. I should be fine."

"I'll try not to. I love you, Papa!"

"I love you too, my angel!" I put the receiver back to the cradle.

Nestled in bed, I turn off the light. I find it very odd to sleep by myself in such a large empty bed. Poor Papa is so far away from me. He's going to face the hardest trial of his life. I hope I can be strong enough to be by his side and be his support and right hand for whatever comes his way. I pray for strength. I pray for his ancestors to help us during this turbulent time.

Were these the things Mother wanted to shield me from? Was Mother right after all, saying that I'm still a child? I wipe my tears and feel I need to buckle up, for Papa's sake. If it were not for me, who else could be his support at this time? I murmur his dear name and drift off to sleep.