Nobody Belongs To Anyone

By Zibia Gasparetto, By the Spirit Lucius and Natalie Zegarra Baretolo

Nobody belongs to anybody is about Roberto's story, married to Gabriela and father of two children. After losing his job and his income source, Roberto spends most of his time at home. While Gabriela, strong and determined, begins to work more and more to support her family. As time goes by, he feels unhealthy jealousy grow and begins to follow his wife, dreaming about a relationship between Gabriela and her boss. Mistrust and lack of self-esteem deepen his despair and reduce Roberto´s chances of taking up his professional life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Spiritist Institute
• Release date: Dec 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215645147

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Roberto came home confused and angry, and slammed the door. That day he had been under a self–destructive process and furious, he thought:

"It won’t remain like this. I can’t stand being deceived by the person I trusted the most. Who would have thought that after softening my vanity with praise and pats on the back, it would end up stabbing myself without pain or pity?

Inside the spacious room, decorated with simplicity, without many ornaments, he walked up and down, like a cornered beast, venting his bad mood and fury.

His head felt heavy, sore, as if an iron circle were continuously squeezing his forehead. His stomach was burning and the lunch he had quickly swallowed five hours ago hadn’t yet been totally digested, occasionally causing a sour feeling in his throat.

He went to the bathroom and looked for a jar of fruit salt. Then he went to the kitchen, poured some medicine and drank it. He felt shivers in his body and made an unpleasant gesture.

Wish the discomfort would disappear soon! He needed to calm down. Roberto had a difficult situation to face, and he needed to be healthy. He had a family to support. Two children in school: María del Carmen, five years old, and Guillermo, seven years old. He had been against the idea of sending María del Carmen to school at the age of two. But Gabriela was working, and she didn’t want to leave her job at all.

When they got married eight years ago, he did everything he could to persuade her to leave the company she was working as a secretary. After all, he had established his own business and was making good earnings. But Gabriela held her ground. She was not going to give up the job she loved so much. She valued her independence very much and liked to earn her own money.

Roberto didn’t agree with that. The married woman had to take care of her house. He was able to afford it. Deep down, he was jealous. To know that Gabriela was with other men, every day and most of the time, made him feel nervous.

He was in love with her from the first day. Tall, dark blond hair, green eyes, full red lips, an elegant and well–made body, light pink peach skin, Gabriela was for him the maximum attraction.

After much insistence, she agreed to go out with him for the first time and Roberto felt like the happiest man in the world. They dated for two years. He trusted her. She was an honest and well–behaved young woman. However, he clearly realized how much she caught the men’s attention when she walked indifferently, flaunting her beauty.

He did everything he could to make her leave work after the wedding.

But she stood her ground:

– I'm not the kind of woman who is dependent. I have worked since I was fifteen years old. I would feel awful if I had to depend on your money. I'm able to take care of myself. Besides, I don't like housework. I'm not used to certain jobs. That's why I will continue to work after our wedding. This is very important to me.

–Think about me, how nervous I’ll be imagining you there, with all those men. I am sure that many of them are looking for you even though they know you are engaged.

I wonder what they will do after you get married!

Gabriela glared at him:

– I am with you because I love you. I chose to marry you. That should be enough. What do I care what others think? Malice is theirs. I know what I want from my life and what I'm going to do with it. If you cannot understand this, I am very sorry, but you are not in a position to marry me or any other woman.

Roberto felt an oppression in his heart and decided to reconcile. He knew that sometimes she was inflexible. He didn't want to lose her. So he unwillingly agreed. However, he hoped that when they had children she would finally give up. After all, taking care of children was hard work, and most women changed a lot when they became mothers.

However, Gabriela did not change. She had two children, planned everything carefully and managed to keep working. He tried to convince her to stay home and take care of the children, but she found a daycare center, against the wishes of her husband and mother–in–law.

Mrs. Georgina argued with her daughter–in–law because of this. She had never seen a woman so stubborn and determined.

However, she hid her feelings so that her son would not distance himself from her. She knew how much he was in love with Gabriela. But, with the excuse that she missed them, she went to the daycare center to see the children, but she did it to discover some fault, some problem that could make her daughter–in–law decide to leave her job and stay home taking care of the children.

While the couple was working, during the day, Georgina often went to their house, under any pretext, to verify that everything was well cared for.

The maid pretended not to notice Georgina's intention when she went up to the couple's and the children's rooms, she opened the drawers and looked at everything. Nicete smirked when she perceived the old woman's frustration at not finding something to criticize. This, in fact, had become a point of honor for Nicete, who had worked with Gabriela since the wedding and was very fond of her employer.

Gabriela was objective, she spoke promtly as she wanted things; if she didn't like something, she called the maid and made herself clear, explaining why she wanted it that way. She was very demanding, but Nicete preferred it that way. When she made an effort, she would praise and that was the biggest reward for her, because she knew that if she was not good, her employer would immediately say what she thought. In addition, Nicete felt respected. Gabriela spoke to her clearly and directly, and she did not speak badly of her behind her back, like many other employers that Nicete knew.

When the bosses were away, she was even more careful with order, wishing until Georgina appeared, to enjoy the satisfaction of seeing her upset.

During all those years of marriage, Roberto had to swallow his jealousy, to hide it.

Gabriela never gave him cause for complaint. She had his clothes well taken care of on time, good and tidy food, the children were healthy, happy, and well–fed.

He sat in a chair and nervously ran her hand through her hair. And now, what would become of him? He would have to talk to his wife, tell her the truth. What would he do to survive?

He worked in construction. He had a warehouse material and had always dreamed of establishing another company, building houses to sell. For years, he had done the calculations, and he knew that building generated a lot of money. He dreamed of getting rich, improving his life. Perhaps Gabriela would then decide to quit her job and, who knows, work with him. It was a way to finally get what he wanted. Why not? If he had a big company, she could certainly help him. He would have a good salary, and everything would work out.

But he needed capital. It was when he met Neumes, a civil engineer who was building a large apartment building for a company that bought the material from his warehouse.

They talked a lot. Roberto entrusted his projects for the future and Neumes listened to him enthusiastically, helping him to calculate the profits. In a short time a friendship started between them, and both the engineer and his wife began to visit Roberto's house.

Whenever he could, Neumes used to talk enthusiastically about the projects. There was no way he would fail. It was money in the bank. They decided to form a partnership and started the company. To do this, Roberto sold two properties he owned, he built three rooms and a bathroom on the land next to the warehouse and set up the new company there.

Neumes was building an apartment building with another engineer and he agreed to give his part of the capital as the properties were sold. Roberto paid the first expenses, and the company was created. Neumes introduced him to the owner of a large plot of land interested in building on it. They signed a contract stating that, of the thirty–five apartments to be built, the owner would receive ten in payment for his property.

Everything seemed to be going well. Neumes participated with a small part of his capital, Roberto with everything he owned, and the project began. They made the plans, approved them and started selling the apartments.

It was not easy, as high inflation forced successive price increases, but even so, money began to flow into the till and Roberto was overjoyed.

Neumes became his inseparable fellow. They went to soccer, to car races, to restaurants on weekends with their wives. Everything was going very well. The engineer said he was taking care of the initial measurements. The land was being redefined; the foundations were going well. Roberto, proud, went to inspect the construction and said:

– I can't wait for the moment when the building starts to be built. For now, it is only a base.

Neumes smiled and answered:

– This is the most difficult part because it isn’t built. You need to be patient. Soon the walls will be raised.

When Roberto saw his name on the sign outside the small sales pavilion Neumes had installed, he smiled happily. But time was going by and Roberto thought that the construction was taking too long. The price was low, the apartments were very spacious, so they had already sold twenty–eight units, they received a good amount of money, enough to speed up the construction, so Neumes answered:

– I have problems getting skilled labor. But I am hiring more people, and we will take advantage of the project.

Gabriela kept telling her husband:

– If I were you, I would personally take care of this construction. Everything is in the hands of Neumes.

You trust him too much.

– There's the accountant who takes care of everything.

– The accountant he got.

– Stop complaining. Neumes was a heaven sent. A high–level engineer, like him, is doing business with someone like me, who doesn't even have capital.

– You're the one who knows. That business is yours.

– I want you to come work for our company.

– Not right now. My salary is high and you still can't afford it.

When the time comes, we'll see. It's still soon.

– How inflexible you are! How hard is it for you to earn a little less and help us?

– I won't do that now. Let's just let time pass.

– If everything is fine, will you come?

– We'll see.

Roberto ran his hand through his hair again. Now, what would he tell her? A few days ago, he had received a subpoena. Without knowing what it was about, he spoke to Neumes, who assured him that there must be a mistake.

Two days later, Neumes received a telegram from his father, who lived in the countryside, asking him to come and see them because his mother was very ill. The engineer traveled immediately.

Why hadn't he realized about his game? How had he been so naive to get into that business? In attendance at the hearing, he was informed that some people who had made deals with the apartments had complained about the breach of contract and were demanding their money back. The judge ruled in favor and the company would have to comply with the sentence.

Nervous, he went to the bank and discovered that, before traveling, Neumes had withdrawn all the company's money. Desperate, he looked for the accountant and discovered that he had also disappeared. He went to the engineer's apartment and it was empty. He had moved without leaving an address.

Roberto placed his head in his hands, desperate. Where would he get the money, he would have to return to the buyers? If only he could finish the construction and deliver the apartments... But with what resources? The bank account was empty.

He realized he was ruined. Even if he sold the material warehouse, he wouldn't have enough to pay what he owed. He would be bankrupt, ashamed, maybe even in prison. He needed to consult a lawyer, he had to do something, but who could he trust at a time like this?

The lawyer he knew had been introduced to him by Neumes, and he would be the last person he could trust.

He thought about asking someone for help. One by one, all the relatives and friends were coming into his thoughts. He realized that none of them had any money to lend him.

There was the project. If he could find a partner who could pay off the debt, everything would be solved. But what about the construction? Who would finance it? He could sell his share, in other words, close the business without receiving anything. If he could save the deposit and pay off the debts, it would be a success already!

But where do I find the right person, who, in addition to having the resources, would be interested in a poorly initiated business?

Roberto thought, thought, and decided: The first step would be to place an ad in the newspaper.

He had some money in his personal account. Then he would find a lawyer for a query. Perhaps his mother could recommend him one. He took a pencil and paper and wrote the ad.

Determined, he left and, after going through the newspaper, went to find his mother.

Seeing him appear at such an unusual time, Georgina was surprised:

– You are here at this hour! Has something happened to the children?

– No. They are fine. I need your help.

– You have a face! Was it with Gabriela?

– No. It was me. I'm desperate. Something horrible happened. I need a good lawyer. Do you know one?

– Lawyer! God help me! What did you do?

– Nothing. I didn't do anything. I was the victim of a fraud! Neumes got away with the company's money and the court ordered me to return everything the buyers paid! I'm ruined!

– Good God! That's what makes you want to be more than you are! Why so much ambition? Didn't you agree with what you were earning?

– I think I made a mistake in trying to get your guidance. I need help, not criticism. If I had known who I was messing with, I never would have done that business. He's an engineer!

– I never thought he would want to make fun of me like that.

Roberto got nervous and ended up:

– I'm leaving. It was a mistake to come here.

– No. Let's see what we can do. Let's talk. Tell me everything as it was.

Roberto reported the events in detail as Georgina shook her head, looking like someone who was already waiting for the tragic outcome, making Roberto even more nervous.

–Actually, what I need from you is to know if you know any good lawyers. That's all I want right now.

She didn't even seem to listen:

– What did Gabriela say?

– She still doesn't know. What about the lawyer? Do you know anyone or not?

– All of a sudden, trustworthy, I don't know. The hardest thing is to find an honest lawyer. They are always trying to trick us. They know the law, while we don't.

– I saw that you won't be able to help me. I'm leaving.

– Wait a little. I'm going to make some coffee. You need to calm down.

– I'm not in the mood to wait for anything. I'm leaving to see what I can do.

As she protested, asking him to calm down, Roberto came out and felt his desperation increasing. He stopped at a newsstand and bought one. In the classified section, he searched carefully for law firms. He would have to look at the ads and take his chances. He was in no condition to waste his time.

After choosing a law firms in the city center, he went there. There was one person inside the lawyer's office and another in the waiting room. He would have to wait.

His eyes wandered across the room. The atmosphere was sober, without luxuries, but well cared for. He had never been to a luxury office before. He wasn’t able to pay much for the query. But, on the other hand, a poor lawyer would not inspire confidence. It was a sign that he didn't have many clients and, therefore, shouldn't be efficient.

He tried to fit in the chair better. He felt he had made the right choice. An hour and a half later, when he entered the lawyer's office, he couldn't bear to wait any longer.

Dr. Paulo was a thirty–five–year–old man, tall, with a strong face with well pronounced features, dark brown eyes that seemed lighter when he squinted a little to notice his interlocutor when he smiled.

Invited to sit down, Roberto took a deep breath and told him everything that had happened to him.

The lawyer listened attentively, which made Roberto feel comforted and understood.

– Today my world has collapsed – it ended–. I feel lost. I don't know how to proceed. I am sorry I trusted him so much, I feel like a fool, a good faith idiot who was simply ignored. The worst thing is that my wife still doesn't know anything. Telling her will be a horror. She always had her suspicions about him.

– I understand how you feel. However, now, you need to control your emotions and find a way out. The law offers you some alternatives. Have you already filed a complaint with the police?

– Report to the police? No, of course not. That would be a scandal. I don't want to go through this embarrassment.

– Pride is the enemy of common sense. You need to denounce embezzlement. Although this does not cancel your debt, it can improve your conditions with the judge. You must prove that you were tricked and that you did not act in bad faith.

– Of course, I didn’t act in bad faith. I was cheated, I ended up being the most harmed!

– You could have agreed with your partner to harm those people and then split the money.

– I am an honest man! I would never do that!

– I believe you, but the judge may hesitate. He doesn't know you and needs information to judge fairly. Your lawyer will need documents to file an appeal, the most important of which is the police report recording the theft.

– I see. Will I have to do this?

– This is the first step. Then you can visit the creditors, one by one, tell them the truth and ask them for time to repay the money, which can be done in fees, according to your means.

– If I have to sell the materials warehouse, I will not be able to earn money to pay them back.

– That will be a good argument to use with your creditors. They want to receive. You need to show good will and a desire to pay them. A well–done agreement could benefit both parties.

– Do you think we can achieve that?

– Your lawyer might try.

– I don’t have a lawyer, or rather, the one I had was recommended by my partner. I don’t want to give him my case. I came to see you because I saw your ad in the newspaper. I liked it.

I feel you can help me, and I would like to hire you. I’m worried about the price because my situation is critical for now. You wait a while until things get better, I will pay everything I can.

Smiling, Paulo answered:

You can pay my fees at the end.

– So, I am very grateful to you.

– Here's what we'll do: I'll have a power of attorney prepared, as usual, and then we'll go to the nearest police station to officially file the complaint. Do you have the information about your partner?

– I don't know where he is.

– That's not it. I mean his full name, age, number of documents, etc.

– I must have all that at the company. Besides the social contract, there are the documents of purchase and sale of the apartments. It won't be difficult to get.

– Do you have your documents with you?

– Yes.

The lawyer called his secretary and gave him Roberto's instructions and documents.

While they were waiting, he ordered a coffee. Roberto felt supported and grateful.

He took a picture from his wallet and showed it to the lawyer.

– These are my children. This is my wife. It is for them that I work and live. I don't even know how to give this news to Gabriela.

If you don't make it into a drama, it will be better.

– What do you mean?

– If you want them to accept the truth calmly, you need to present the events naturally, tell them what happened and not regret it.

– How not to regret such a case?

– You have already suffered from the event. But adding your family's suffering is not going to make it better at all. Things will continue the way they are. If you want to spare your wife, the best is to keep her serenity, to show that you have taken the appropriate steps and that you are doing what you can to solve everything. This is the most important thing. Why do you want to alarm your family in vain?

Roberto didn't answer and became thoughtful. For the lawyer, who was out and had nothing to do with the case, this could be easy. But he, who was the victim, didn't feel calm enough to talk about it with serenity. His life had collapsed, how to keep calm?

After signing the power of attorney, Roberto and Paulo went to the company, picked up the information he needed and went to the police station to report it.

Roberto felt devastated. He was always so serious, so honest, having to submit himself to that situation. It seemed to him that the policeman who typed his statements was making fun of him, when he told the facts. He felt like running out of there, giving up everything. However, the lawyer's serious and upright presence infused him with courage.

When they left the police station, Roberto picked up his scarf and wiped his sweat from his face. It was very painful for him to complain. At the door, they were approached by a reporter who wanted more information about the case. Roberto wanted to leave, saying nothing, but Paulo stopped him. He gave his explanations while the journalist wrote everything down.

When they left, Roberto considered:

– Why did you stop to talk to them? It's going to be in the newspaper, it will be a shame! I didn't want people to know.

– On the contrary. It is better that they know the truth. There is nothing to cover up. The creditors will talk, the news will spread anyway. Don't forget that you haven't done anything. You haven't robbed anyone. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You've been cheated. You're paying for naivety. To make mistakes is human. Then, the more we divulge your partner's embezzlement and escape, the more we will be taking away your responsibility. You were the biggest victim. Everyone will feel sorry for you, even your creditors. This is fundamental for us to negotiate with them.

Despite feeling humiliated, Roberto was forced to agree. He was the lawyer; he knew what he was doing. They said goodbye, arranging a meeting the next day.

It was late at night when Roberto came home. Along the way he made an effort to control his feelings, preparing himself to give the news to Gabriela as Paulo had recommended. He was right. Scaring the family would not improve the situation.

But as soon as he entered the house, he realized that this would not be possible.

Georgina was there and as soon as she saw him, she ran to him saying:

– Thank God you are back! It's late, I thought I'd done something stupid, that some misfortune had happened! I'm glad you are back home!

Gabriela was coming after her, with the children clinging to her skirt looking scared.

– Didn't I tell you that you were exaggerating? There is nothing. Let's calm down.

Roberto bitterly regretted going to look for his mother. He said it right away:

– There was nothing at all. Why are you so scared? It's all right.

Everything is under control.

– But, son, didn't you say that your partner ran away with all the money and that you will have to pay the buyers of the apartments?

– Mom, let's leave this matter for later. I'm tired. I don't need to talk about it now.

– You mean I worried about nothing? You go to my house desperate; you leave me worried and now you say that everything is fine, that you didn't need to talk about it? What do you mean, you didn't have to talk about it? Do you think I'm made of iron? I'm worried about what happens to my family. Or do you think not?

– I know that you care about us, that you love us. But look: the children are nervous.

It seems like a disgrace has happened. Let's calm down. Then we'll talk.

Gabriela looked at them with anger. Why had her husband gone to see his mother to complain instead of talking to her, his wife? If he had done that, she would not have had to tolerate her mother–in–law, who had made her leave her job early, claiming that Roberto was ruined and on the verge of suicide.

Gabriela felt the urge to throw out her mother–in–law, and she made a great effort to control herself, as it would be worse if the children witnessed one more scene. She was pale and nervous. She went back to the kitchen to stir the pots, putting the dinner to warm up.

Roberto realized that Gabriela was at the peak of the irritation. He knew that controlled air, that pallor that always predicted a storm. What he needed to do was to get his mother away from there. So, he made her sit in the room and tried to talk to her calmly, even though she was on the verge of exhaustion.

Mom, I got an excellent lawyer, and we madesome arrangements. You'd better calm down. I'm very tired and would appreciate it if you would let us rest. I want to take a bath, have dinner and sleep. Tomorrow I will come to your house, and we will talk.

Georgina had tears in her eyes when she answered:

– You know I'm on your side! I'm your mother, and everything that happens to you is as if it were me.

– I know, Mom. I'm sorry I gave you concern. Go home, take a rest. Tomorrow I'll go there and tell you everything in detail.

– You're not going to do anything stupid? I was so scared!

– No, I swear. I'm calm, you see? You can go quietly.

– It's okay. Then I'll go.

She went to the kitchen, said goodbye to her daughter–in–law and the children and left. When the door closed, Roberto dropped himself in a chair, exhausted. He still had to talk to Gabriela. He went to the kitchen, where she was stirring the pots.

– I'm sorry, Gabriela. Everything went wrong.

Suddenly, all his tension broke down into a bunch of tears that were falling down his cheeks, and he couldn't contain it. Gabriela looked directly in his eyes and said with a firm voice:

– I know everything. You don't have to say anything. Go to the room and control yourself. The children were already very traumatized today. Don't aggravate this unpleasant situation anymore.

Roberto was outraged. He hoped she would comfort him. Seeing that the children reappeared in the kitchen, he ran to the bedroom, where, behind closed doors, he gave out his frustration, his anger, his disenchantment, crying a lot.

Then, when he calmed down, he looked in the mirror and felt ashamed. His eyes were red, swollen. He could not appear like that in front of the children. He took a bath, then turned off the light and lay down.

Gabriela went inside and informed him that the children had already had dinner and had retired.

– Do you want dinner?

– Thank you, but I'm not hungry.

– Do you want to talk?

– I just want to say that I'm sorry about what happened to us today. I'm devastated, ashamed.

You were right. Why didn't I realize anything?

– I'll get a tranquilizer. You need to sleep, relax.

– Don't you want to know what happened?

– The most important thing I already know.

– I looked for a lawyer. He guided me and took over the case. Let's see what we can get. I hope I don't have to sell the deposit. You can be sure that I will do everything to solve this problem.

– That's all right.

– You're not angry? You don't blame me?

– We shouldn't talk about it now.

– But you are angry. I know you are.

– I'm controlling myself. Stop confusion. Let’s cool off, we'll talk in another moment.

– I want you to forgive me. I was wrong, I was naive. I bed all I had.

– Now you're trying to fix it. It's okay. That's enough. Then we'll talk.

I'm tired and I want to sleep.

Roberto still tried to talk, but she wouldn't listen. She gave him the tranquilizer, and thanks to that, he soon fell asleep. However, she, lying on her back beside him, felt inside her chest a discouragement and an emptiness which, although she tried to keep away, wouldn't go away and kept her from relaxing and sleeping.

CHAPTER 2

Roberto had a look at the newspaper in discouragement. It was difficult. He hadn't a defined profession. He had always worked on his own. He hadn't attended any college.

– He knew lots of people who had college degrees and couldn't advance in life. They live off a job that they can barely support themselves – he used to say to justify that he stopped studying when he finished the first cycle. – It's better to know the business, to learn in the school of life.

However, this school was not enough to get him a job where he could earn what he needed to support his family.

The lawyer helped him, trying to control the creditors, dividing the debt, trying to share the loss. But he achieved little. The judge had already decided, and the buyers of the apartments didn't want any different deal.

Roberto had to sell the warehouse material and still had some quotas that would have to be extended for at least five years.

He saved some money to support his family for two months. He was confident of getting a job in that period. However, he had been out of work for three months, and no matter how much he saved, that money was gone.

Roberto had always been proud to say that Gabriela worked because she liked it, and she didn't need his money. Now, however, they were living on her salary, and he felt humiliated to have to ask her for money even to buy the newspaper or get a haircut.

Besides, he wasn't managing to pay the installments of the remaining debt, and the creditors were always collecting, some even saying that he was rolling them, since he lived in a good house and could sell it.

Roberto lived in agony. The house was his family's only guarantee. If he sold it, where would they go? The rent of a house, even more modest than his own, was expensive, and he is an unemployed man, how could he afford it?

He resisted. To sell the house, it wasn’t an option. At least they had somewhere to live without paying anything.

He looked again at the newspaper, looking through the advertisements hoping to find something. The companies wanted a resume and experience of at least two years in the area, and he didn't have either of those two things.

Gabriela helped him to prepare a resume that evidenced his experience as a construction warehouse manager. Thanks to this curriculum, some companies called him for interviews.

However, when they knew that he had always been the owner and had lost everything, they didn't choose him for the job. Desperate, he told his wife:

– I don't think you should write that I was the owner. How will they trust someone who has been declared bankrupt? They'll think I don't understand anything in the business.

Gabriela tried to rewrite the resume, but to say that he had been employed, it was necessary to indicate the name of the companies in which he had worked, and it was impossible.

Roberto thought about being a salesman. He considered himself a sales talent, since he was negotiating how he got the money to establish the deposit. But even in the sales area it was difficult. He couldn't get anything. If only he had the money to do something on his own!

Gabriela had some savings. She had already spent a part but refused to spend the rest.

What if the children got sick? What if he took time to find a job? No. She felt safer having some money in her savings account.

Roberto didn't have the courage to ask her for this sacrifice, even though it was only a small amount and wouldn't solve his problem. What he really needed was to get a job. But how?

The doorbell rang and he went to open it. It was Georgina, who came in saying:

– I came to see you. I was worried. Haven't you got anything yet?

– It's hard, Mom. I don't know what else to do.

– If I had money, I would give you to open another business. But unfortunately, your father left me with almost nothing. The pension is barely enough to eat. If it weren't for your sister's help, I wouldn't be able to live.

– I know, Mom. I'll fix it, don't worry. I'll find a job soon. I can't stay like this.

– Still, if your brother–in–law wasn't so stingy, I could talk to Gina.But he’s so tightfisted that she can’t get money from him.

– I will not bother the family. It's my problem, and I have to solve it.

– In any case, I know Nando has money saved up. He earns well and has a good life. You could go talk to him, maybe he'll get you a job at the company he works for.

– I won't, Mom. He's a vain guy. Since he got married to Gina, he's never been on our side. He has rich friends; he goes to luxury places. He doesn't miss a chance to say that those who didn't go to college are ignorant. I always felt that he didn't like my line of work. He is intellectual. I'd rather starve than ask him for something. And, please, don't even comment on my situation with Gina. I don't want to give wings to that pedant.

– Your sister already knows everything. Your bankruptcy was in the paper, everybody knows about it. Then, pride doesn't fill your belly. Poor can't be proud. Those who need it have to be humble.

– Because I am not. I can ask for help for anyone except Nando. So don't keep saying that my company is bankrupt. I don't like that.

– But that's what happened, isn't it? You tried a concordat, but you didn't succeed.

– I know. But you don't have to keep repeating that. It's thundering, so I'm going to collect the clothes from the clothesline.

– How horrible! Do you have to do that? It's women's service!

– I need it and I will, otherwise it will wet everything. It's already dry.

He left quickly picking up a basket and collected the clothes. Georgina was looking at him in disgust. The first drops of rain were already falling when he entered putting the basket on the kitchen table.

Georgina had tears in her eyes when she said:

– My son! What a humiliation. Your wife was supposed to do this job.

He got angry.

– Gabriela is working. We are living off her money if you want to know. If she wasn't working, we wouldn't have anything to eat.

– That unpleasant Nicete, as soon as the money ran out, she went away.

– She didn't leave, mom. We can't pay her salary, so she got some houses to clean and support herself. When she is, she does the job as usual.

– You mean she sleeps here without paying anything? She's taking advantage of you!

– You're being mean. She arrives tired and helps Gabriela to do all the housework.

– I bet Gabriela would like you to do everything.

– I am here while they work. I don't know how to do anything at home, but if I did I would.

It's no big deal. I'm just not good at these things. I've never learned.

Georgina looked down on her son.

– You didn't find anything in the newspaper?

– I separated some things. Let's see – he lied, hoping she'd be satisfied and go away.

– I'll talk to some friends to see if I can find something.

– Mom, I'd rather you didn't do that. Leave it to me. I'm self–enough, I can take care of everything.

She shrugged and went to the window. The heavy rain fell outside, washing the sidewalk.

– I need to wait for the rain to pass.

He resigned himself and asked:

– I'll make some coffee, shall you?

– Do you even make that now?

He pretended he didn't hear. He put the water in the kettle, picked up the pot, put the powder in the strainer, picked up the cups, the sugar, putting everything on the table. He felt like screaming, forcing her out even in the rain. Why did she have to be so annoying?

He controlled himself. After all, it wasn't her fault that he lost everything and was in that situation.

She was his mother; she owed her respect and obedience.

He strained the coffee, served it, and drank it in silence. When the rain passed, and she was gone, he dropped himself on a chair, dipping his head between his hands. Tears came down on his face, and he let them run freely. He felt destroyed. Why had life done that to him? Why?

He had always been honest, fulfilling his duties, a hardworking man. He had respected all the rules of society, he had never hurt anyone. On the contrary, whenever he could he helped people. Why would God be punishing him? What if he couldn't get a job? What would he do with his life? He would hate to live at his wife's expense. It was the ultimate humiliation.

He wiped his eyes. The rain had passed. It was almost five in the afternoon, and he had to pick up the children. He did that when Nicete went out to work. He went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror.

His eyes were red. He couldn't go out like that. He looked for eye drops, dripped on his eyes, washed his face, passed a little powder of Gabriela's rice to cover the red of his eyelids. He combed his hair and left.

When he returned with his children, Nicete was already in the kitchen.

– I'm glad you collected the clothes. I was at Mrs. Zilda's house thinking about this clothesline full of clothes. I was afraid that you would forget.

While she was cooking dinner, Roberto was entertaining his children. It was almost seven o'clock when Gabriela arrived. She looked at her husband's face and soon noticed that he had cried. He pretended to be well, playing with the children. However, he could cheat anyone except her.

If only he could change his mood! She arrived tired but she didn't mind taking care of the family's well–being. What bothered her was her husband's air of being a victim.

She did what she could and felt good to be able to collaborate in this difficult situation. But he always had an air of dissatisfaction.

Of course, she understood that he couldn’t be happy with such a situation. However, what was the point in making him look like a victim? It upset her a lot. She had never imagined her husband could be so fragile. He had always proved to be self–sufficient, working in his own business, making decisions, always seeming to know what to do. Why had she changed so much?

Being cheated by a rascal can happen to anyone, but getting into depression, meditating on the case, only aggravated the problem. She even thought that he couldn't get a job because of it.

A colleague told her that, when the person is with bad energy, everything goes wrong. Roberto's energy was horrible. She felt it. She didn't feel like being near him.

When he approached her, she felt disgusted. Why did that happen? She had married for love. She thought she loved her husband. So, what was happening to her? The fact that Roberto was going through a bad situation didn't bother her. He was young, healthy, and had his whole life ahead of him. He had to set up his own business once, he could do it again. It was all about not feeling sorry for himself.

But his face was one of sorrow. He was embarrassed when she gave him money. Why could she take money from him when he had it and he couldn't take hers now that he needed it?

A practical woman, Gabriela couldn't understand why Roberto made so much drama. The atmosphere at home was heavy, he was always bored, quiet. When he spoke, it was always to complain. She was getting tired of that situation. After all, she thought, nobody is of iron.

She works, she works, and at home she has no joy... How long would she put up with it?

She pretended not to know anything and tried to make dinner while Nicete took