WHEN THE TIME COMES

By Zibia Gasparetto and By the Spirit Lucius

Colonel Firmino's heirs move to his old mansion, abandoned for a long time and haunted by the spirit of their ancestor, guarding the secrets of the past. Nico, Eurico and Amelinha are the children whose games will awaken the secrets of the house. Eurico's illness, son of the heirs of the mansion, made the

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Spiritist Institute
• Release date: Jul 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088239582

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Nico was an agile and intelligent child, always attentive and ready to take advantage of everything going on around him. If he saw a woman with packages, he would offer to carry them; if someone was moving, he would volunteer to help. When he had nothing to do, he used to stand in the warehouse doorway looking at people, hoping he could be of service. A small coin here, others there, that he could raise money with which he bought notebooks at school and there was still a little money left for the ticket of the Sunday matinee at the cinema where many times he worked as a cinema usher when the money was not enough to buy a ticket. When he went to help with the moves, he won many objects and took them home, where they were always useful.

At the age of nine, Nico was the second child among five siblings from a very poor family. The father didn't work and spent his afternoons in the corner of a bar playing cards with his friends. It was his wife Ernestina, a laundress, who supported the family. When someone asks her:

Why doesn't Jacinto work? She answered resigned:

He can't. He has a health problem. He's useless. And many times, the person responded:

Come on, Mrs. Ernestina. He's a bum! Ah, if he were my husband, he would have to fend for himself! Where has that been seen?

Ernestina shrugged her shoulders and didn't answer. She was used to that life. She'd married very young: he was thirty years old and she was thirteen. Her father had said:

You are marrying him. We have already coordinated everything.

But, dad, I don't even know him well!

You'll meet him now! He's a good match. A man who already has a piece of land, all planted, he has plenty. Did you know the land is his? His father inherited all to him. You will be fine.

She obeyed. How not to obey? She was brought up hard, she could never say no to her parents. During the first year of marriage, when Jacinto's father was still alive, everything went very well. She was well cared for, she lacked nothing.

When their first child was born, they had a party: they killed a piglet, made a cake, and opened a bottle of wine.

Life seemed easy to her, until the day Jacinto's father fell ill. His wife took care of him, and they took him to the city doctor, but nothing worked. He died. After that, everything changed. Mrs. Edinete, without her husband, was sad, she began to drink and remained locked in his room for days and days. Eventually, Ernestina had to take responsibility for the house.

Many times, she tried to get Jacinto to take care of the plantation, but he stated that he felt bad, that he didn't like the hoe handle, and that his health was delicate.

Despite his delicate health, he had one child a year, and soon they had five children. As he didn't take care of the plantation, the bush began to grow and Ernestina couldn't take care of the family and neither the plantations. However, she managed to raise chickens and enjoy the fruits that they grew in the garden.

She had to learn. She didn't want to have any more children. She went to see a healer, who gave her some medications that prevented her from getting pregnant. Then she started collecting clothes on demand to wash. She had no money to send the children to school. But Nico wanted to learn to read. The older one, José, didn't care. He was playing ball all day; he didn't even help to take care of his siblings. It was Nilce, a year younger than Nico, who took care of the little ones while Ernestina was in charge of the laundry.

Nico was the one who helped her the most. In addition to the money he earned from people, he could buy bread and even coffee.

When I grow up, mom, I'm going to earn a lot of money and live in the city. You will see! She laughed, shook her head, and didn't answer.

Who's born poor dies poor! She thought. But she didn't tell him that, for what? He was a child, and he didn't have to know the difficulties of life ahead of time.

He was always in a good mood, cheerful, and seeking to enjoy time profitably. While his brother had fun swimming in the lagoon or playing ball with friends, Nico was looking for an opportunity in the streets of Sertãozinho, a small town in the interior of São Paulo, where they lived.

People liked his personality, always cheerful and ready to help. Many times, they gave him candies; some even sent him some things for his family.

He doesn't even look like Jacinto's son! said his neighbor.

He's just like his mother. Yes, a working woman! I don't know how she maintains that lazy husband.

And her mother-in-law? Horrible! She lives embarrassing everyone. The other day she drank and went out into the street half-naked. It was necessary for Ernestina to grab her by force and take her inside. A shame! If it wasn't for Aurora's help, I don't know what would have happened. She could end up taking off all her clothes in the street!

Poor Ernestina! Such a serious and polite woman!

Nico came home late and asked:

Mom, is there anything to eat?

She went to the kitchen and answered:

I left some food for you on the stove. Why were you so late?

I went to help Mr. Aurélio. He took a job at the mansion.

At the mansion?

Yes. Did you know they're going to rebuild it? Very rich people from the capital. They're going to move in as soon as it's ready.

You're sure?

Yes. Mr. Aurélio was hired to take care of the garden and asked me for help. They will pay well. They're in a hurry to get everything ready and there's a lot of work to do.

Why do they want to come and live here in the interior? Rich people and from the city!

I don't know. What I do know is that a lot of people came from São Paulo and they're working to get everything ready. You need to see the commotion. There are bricklayers, carpenters, painters, everything. I was crazy to get into the mansion.

It's better not to. They say it's haunted.

I don't believe it. That is town talking.

It's been closed since the colonel died. Nestor swears he saw his soul wandering there.

Nonsense. People are ignorant, they talk too much.

A voice behind Nico interrupted the conversation:

Look who's talking! What do you know about life?

Nico turned around. Jacinto was at the door looking at him provocatively.

The two didn't get along. Nico avoided his father whenever he could. He had his own opinion about him and he didn't like to expose it. He considered him lazy and was embarrassed to see him at the bar, playing games, while his mother worked hard to get some money.

Although he didn't say anything, his gaze irritated his father. He resented the boy’s intelligence, always in a good mood, working all day.

It seemed to him that he was doing it just to annoy him. Why wasn't he like Jose? He was a boy like the others.

Nico didn't answer. He took the dish and went to eat on the patio. He liked to sit on a wooden box that he had placed under a mango tree. The night was starry and he liked to look up at the sky, wondering what was behind that blanket of stars.

Was it really paradise, as the vicar said? Would they be other worlds, as he had seen in the magazine he'd won the other day? As he ate, he thought: they were talking about flying saucers. What if a flying disc from another world descended on his patio, caught him, and took him to know other planets?

He felt a shudder of fear, but at the same time, he was excited.

What an adventure! He would surely go and wouldn't be afraid at all.

He finished eating, but he stared at the sky for a while, wondering how his adventures would be like in these unknown worlds.

His mother called him to sleep. He obeyed. He had promised to be at the mansion before seven in the morning to help Aurélio with the garden. This was a job he knew well. He had been cultivating a piece of land for some time, planting some vegetables that were sold, and the money helped him stay in school.

He came in, put the dish in the sink, washed it, dried it, and put it away. Then he washed his face and went to bed. But he still stayed for a while imagining his trip on a flying disc and his adventure on other planets. In the midst of the beings created by his fantasy, he finally managed to fall asleep.

CHAPTER 1:

The rooster crowed and Nico jumped out of bed. He went to the bathroom, washed himself, combed his hair, changed his clothes, and went to the kitchen. It was too early, but Ernestina had already brewed the coffee. The boy took a cup and poured from the strainer, sweetened the coffee and, taking a piece of bread, went to sit under the mango tree.

While he was drinking coffee, he inhaled the pleasant smell of the plants, looking at the sky that the sunrise tinted, creating whimsical drawings. He liked to see the light of day, to feel the cool breeze and the silence that the birds singing had just broken.

While the others slept, he was able to enjoy the calm and company of his mother, who, like him, got up early. Ernestina took her cup of coffee and approached him.

It's still early. You could have slept more.

I don't want to lose my time. Sit here for a while.

He moved aside so she could get comfortable. They stood in silence drinking coffee. They liked being like this, next to each other, not talking. Suddenly Nico asked:

Did you meet the colonel?

No. Your grandmother used to say he was very bad-tempered. He sent his daughter away from home, locked his wife in the bedroom, and never let her out.

Why did he do that to them?

It was a dispute. The daughter fell in love with a settler and was expecting a baby boy. The colonel kicked her out of the house, and the mother wanted to go after her. Then he locked her up.

And the boy?

Nobody knows. The colonel ordered him to be killed, he fled and no one else heard from him.

And later?

The girl disappeared. Some say that she came back and that he locked her up too; others, that she died when his son was born. But no one knows for sure. The colonel's wife died ten years later and he was alone in the mansion. People said that he wasn't right in the head and that the soul of the woman came to torment him to take revenge. He walked through the gardens talking to himself and arguing with anybody, it was terrible.

He went mad?

People say so. It was horrible. He didn't want to die at all and gave a lot of work; it was necessary for the vicar to pray a lot, to ask for him to close his eyes. He no longer said anything and didn't die; he was old, thin, and dejected. It's said that not even death wanted him.

If they all died and no one knows about the daughter or his grandson, who was left as owner of the mansion when he died?

A brother who lived in the city. They didn't get along, but he inherited everything. It was the law.

Didn’t they come to the mansion?

They came. That's when things started to happen. They organized everything, painted the mansion, and came to spend the holidays. The whole family, but soon the employees started to see the lost souls and they told everyone.

Is it really true?

I think so. Although the work was good and they paid well, nobody wanted to stay there. They ended up leaving before time. After that, they tried to come back a couple of times, but the ghosts kicked them out.

I don't believe in these things.

I don't challenge. Holy God! God forbid! Said Ernestina, crossing herself.

And you, who are going there, it's better that you respect them. The house is really haunted and the ghosts don't want anyone else to live in the house. If it was for me, you wouldn't go there.

I'll go. I'm not afraid of those things.

Then don't go into the mansion. Stay just in the garden. If anything happens, it's easy to run away. Nico smiled:

If a ghost appears, I'll ask him what he wants.

God forbid! Have you thought about whether he comes after you?

I get a cross and scare him away. The vicar said that this is how scaring away souls who come to torment. Ernestina shook her head:

Don't trust that, no. I know of cases where the cross was of no use.

Is the vicar lying?

No, he isn't. But I already realized that he doesn't know everything. There are things that he believes to be one way and end up the other way.

In that case, he shouldn't be a vicar.

He understands the things of religion, but beyond that, he's a man like the others. He has his weaknesses and we need to understand that he's not a saint.

Nico thought silently. A saint should be wiser and know all the secrets of life. He has to know what was in the stars in the sky and the worlds that he dreamed of knowing one day.

Ernestina got up and went to the kitchen. Nico stayed a bit longer. When he thought it was time, he put the cup on the sink and headed for the mansion. He was distant, and he walked along thinking about his conversation with his mother. He did not believe in ghosts, but if the colonel's soul appeared, he wouldn't be afraid. Since a cross might be of no use, he needed to think of something else. Running is that he would not do. If there was a soul from another world, he would try to talk and find out what they wanted. After all, he didn't meet the people of the colonel's family, he had nothing with them, and there was no reason for the ghost to haunt him.

The mansion, as it was known in the city, was a mansion in an old coffee farm owned by Lotizara, having kept the house built in the middle of a three thousand square meter land, surrounded by a huge garden and a small orchard, surrounded by a high wall that ended in two columns on which there were two bronze sculptures facing the wrought iron doors, the main entrance. The other, the service one, was on the back street.

Nico was the first to arrive. He took a walk to see if Aurélio had already arrived. When he saw no one, he sat on the sidewalk in front of the main door, waiting. His curious eyes examined every detail of the property, trying to imagine what life would have been like in the mansion before the family’s misfortune happened.

He thought that it was silly that a person who had such a beautiful house didn't know how to enjoy it. If that house were his, he would be very happy. He was not thinking about the money it was worth, but about the joy of living in such a beautiful place, of waking up every day in that wonderful garden. It was true that the garden was ugly now, the plants were dry, and the weeds growing freely, but he could see the trees and imagine what it had been like before.

Aurélio arrived with another boy and brought Nico out of his reveries. Seeing him, the gardener smirked in pleasure.

You were early, he said. That's how I like it. We're going to start soon and take advantage of the time.

He approached the iron gate and rang the bell. Soon the doorman appeared with the keys. After the greetings, Aurélio took the two assistants:

Get in the van. Let's unload everything there.

Sitting in the seat of the truck, Nico felt his heart pounding. Finally, he was entering the mansion. How many times had he stopped in front of those doors wondering what it would be like inside? Now he could kill curiosity.

The road opened in two gates in the shape of a semicircle that closed in front of the entrance door of the house, in which there was a large canopy of worked iron and glass, crowned by columns on which were finished iron luminaires.

Nico wished the van would go under that deck. He wanted to see better the entrance door, but Aurélio didn't take the curve, he continued going until he stopped at the bottom, in front of the outside accommodations.

They unloaded the van and Aurélio later informed them that the engineer would be arriving soon to show the plan of what the gardens should be like.

Since they wanted to start soon, Aurélio decided that they should start clearing the bush from close to the walls.

The engineer arrived accompanied by other men and called Aurélio to speak. They were in a hurry and needed to hire more people because the three of them were not enough. The gardener was to find two more assistants, making sure they would do the job in the desired time.

Soon movement began inside the house, and Nico seemed curious from time to time in an attempt to see what it was like there. Noticing his curiosity, Aurélio commented:

You're crazy to know how it is there. If I can, when I come in, I'll take you with me.

Would you do that, Mr. Aurélio? The boy answered with a bright look.

Of course, I would. But if the house is haunted, don't come to complain later. I want to see if you really have the courage.

Holy God! Maninho commented. I don't even want to go in there. My aunt warned me that it is dangerous.

Maninho was the nickname of the other young assistant. Nephew of Aurélio's wife, he lived with them to learn the trade, since his family was from the countryside and very poor.

Aurélio smiled with an air of superiorly and answered:

That's a woman thing! Stop being a coward. A man needs to be brave.

I'm not afraid, Nico said. I don't believe in ghosts. I'm curious to see what the house looks like inside. It must be a beauty!

It's very abandoned. It was really beautiful.

Did you know the house at that time? Nico asked excitedly.

I was a child, I was about your age, but I still remember it. It was a beauty.

Did you meet the colonel's family? Nico continued.

I did. Marinha was beautiful! I had never seen a girl like that. Where she went, the whole world sighed. Black hair, white skin, eyes that looked like two blueberries, and not to mention her body. She was really cute. She was very similar to her mother, Mrs. Mariquinha.

My mother told me that she fell in love with one of the settlers and got lost.

Don't even tell me ... What a disgrace! The colonel threw her out of the house. No one ever saw Mrs. Mariquinha again. When she died, Mrs. Salomé, who went to dress the body, told my mother that she didn't even look like her, she was so worn out.

Was she pretty too?

She was. It was nice to see her. So elegant and delicate... very kind to everyone.

As for colonel, I know he was the opposite. Nico said.

Likewise. They say he was bad, but I don't think so. People invent a lot. He helped many families, including my grandfather. Now, that he was severe, it's true. If you worked well and you did what he wanted, you had everything with him. But if you went against him or if you challenge him, then it was better to run away.

He must have been a very ugly man.

None of these. He was very handsome. But because of the pain and suffering he was getting worn out. So, it really got ugly.

Zeca, from the store, says that one day he came to bring the landlord's purchases, Maninho said. It was night, because he had to wait for the store to close before he could come. Mr. Inácio asked him to take the boxes inside. He obeyed and took them to his house, which is the one in the back. As he was leaving, he decided to look inside the big house. He went to the window and looked. He got goosebumps. He saw the colonel's soul, the way they said it was, he was walking around. He wanted to scream and couldn't, but still, the colonel saw him and he ran after. Zeca managed to run and go through the gate, without waiting for the landlord to bring the money. He said he would never go there again.

Aurélio laughed heartily.

I want to see you run if he showed up here now.

God forbid, Mr. Aurélio! Said Maninho, crossing himself. You shouldn't play with these things.

Nico listened and didn't care. He was tired of hearing ghost stories and he had never seen one. He was beginning to suspect his veracity.

As much as Nico wished it, time passed without him having had the opportunity to enter the house. Still, he wasn't discouraged.

It was the next day that it happened. The sun was high. After the gardeners worked all morning, they had lunch and lay down under the trees to rest.

While Aurélio, Maninho and Inácio, who had joined them to speed up the work, rested, Nico got up and walked around the house, trying to see, through the half-open windows, what was inside.

Boy, come here.

Nico looked to the side where the voice was coming from. At the door was the engineer hired to renovate the house. Nico came running:

Yes sir.

I need cigarettes. Do you know where to buy?

Yes, I do, sir. At Zeca's shop. If you want, I can go shopping.

Is far?

No, it isn't, sir. It just three blocks, I'll walk over there and come back, walking.

The engineer smirked. He took a note out of his pocket and handed it to Nico along with an empty pack of cigarettes.

Buy two packs of this one.

The boy took the money and ran away. He soon returned and looked for the engineer.

Is he in there? said a bricklayer.

Nico shuddered with pleasure. Quickly, he entered the lobby looking at everything.

He couldn't miss any detail. Despite being all excited and out of place, Nico was dazzled by the drawings on the ceiling, with the tiles in the hallway. He was informed that the engineer was upstairs, and he climbed the wide marble stairs, admiring the stained-glass windows that let in light. Once upstairs, he handed the cigarette packs to the engineer, who happily handed him two coins.

Thank you, doctor, said the boy, smiling. If you want anything else, just call me. I'll be happy to help you.

You're smart. You were very fast. Are you related to Aurélio?

No, I'm not, sir. He hires me to work when needed. The engineer looked at him and smiled:

It's okay. You can go.

If you need anything, you can call me.

Nico left slowly. His curious eyes examined every detail, wondering how the covered furniture would look like and the photographs that had been carefully removed and packaged.

At night, he commented to Ernestina:

Mom, you had to see what beauty! Every large room with a lot of windows! And also the ceiling! Full of drawings all around. The walls were damaged and stained, but still beautiful. Full of drawings, each room of a different color. Bars painted gold. You needed to see.

Now that you've seen it, let's see if you'll stay on the outside. I don't like the idea of seeing you inside that house.

Nonsense, Mom. There's nothing there. It's full of people and nobody saw anything. Ernestina shook her head and didn't answer.

That night, after dinner, Nico stayed under the mango tree, but he wasn't looking at the sky as usual. His mind was far away, trying to imagine what the mansion was like in the colonel's time.

In the days that followed, Nico had several opportunities to enter the mansion. The engineer, satisfied with the boy’s promptness, called him when he needed small services or any information about the city. Others who worked for him also began to do the same, which meant that Aurélio ended up complaining to the engineer.

Dr. Mário, I have nothing against you occupying Nico, but I need him to finish the job at the right time.

Because of this, Mário spoke with his assistants and they agreed to use the boy's help during lunchtime.

So Nico was able to go in and out of the mansion many times, always attentive to everything that happened there, observing the details. Mário once asked him:

How old are you?

I'm Nine.

I think you've been working too hard. I don't think it's fair. You don't even rest in time for lunch. I'll ask the men to leave you alone.

Nico replied worried:

Please, doctor! Don't do that! I don't feel tired.

You're a child, we're taking advantage of you.

Nothing like that. I like to come here. I have dreamed a lot of knowing this house from the inside. Now that I'm getting this chance, don't send me away!

Mário looked at him in amazement. He had noticed that Nico was looking at everything with great interest.

I don't mean to do that. Do you like the house?

It's beautiful! I wonder what it was like in the colonel's time. The engineer smiled.

What do you like most?

The windows, the stairs, the stained-glass, the drawings on the walls.

Even though everything is so old? He joked, wanting to see what Nico was getting at. If it were mine, I would demolish it down and build a modern one in its place. Nico was scared:

Well I would not... He stopped shyly. I didn't want to upset the engineer.

Mário laughed heartily. He found it funny that a poor boy who probably never left that small country town could appreciate a work of art.

If it was yours, what would you do?

Nico's eyes sparkled and his face widened into a smile:

If it were mine, I would leave it just like it was in as the colonel's time. It would look like I saw it the other day in a magazine. Even the gardens would be like in those days. The walls, everything, even the roof…

What about the roof?

I'd like to fix it everything and leave it the way it was.

Today there are many modern things and more beautiful. Why do you like this old house so much?

I don't know. But that's the most beautiful house I have ever seen. I wouldn't like to see it fall to the ground. It would be crazy to dismantle such a beautiful house!

Mário put his hands on Nico's shoulders, saying seriously:

I also believe it. You're right. It's a work of art and hard to find nowadays.

You mean you're not going to tear it down?

I'm here to do exactly what you want me to do. I'm going to make it go back to being the same as it was before.

Nico jumped for joy:

Excellent! I can see you are a wise man.

It looks like you are, too. Now you can go.

Are you going to let me come in here from time to time to look?

Of course, I will. You'll be my guest whenever you want.

Admired by the boy's sensitivity, Mário began to talk to him more, and every day he was more surprised by his intelligence, lucidity and goodwill. At first, he was afraid that by paying so much attention to him, he would take advantage of him, but after some time he realized that he never crossed the limits. He was discreet, polite, and respectful; he knew how to stay in his place.

Realizing his interest, Mário called him many times, showing him other rooms in the house. Nico had questions, wanting to know how this or that was done, and Mário, a lover of art, was happy to explain him.

One day he talked to Aurélio about Nico.

He's a very lively and intelligent boy, he commented.

What's his family like?

They're simple people, doctor. His father is a farmer and his mother is a laundress.

It's amazing. He seems to be thirsty to learn.

That's true. He planted a garden and works so he can keep going to school.

But he's been coming to work most of the day. Is he missing classes?

No, he's not, sir. The school is closed until next month. He's on vacation.

It would be a shame if a boy like him didn't study. He has everything to make a career. He's very intelligent and hardworking.

Everyone likes him in the city. He's a good boy.

It's a pity that the parents do not have money for him to study in the capital.

Really. His father doesn't even work. He says he's sick. What Mrs. Ernestina earns by washing clothes is barely enough for the five children's meals.

There are seven people to clothe and feed.

Mário shook his head:

It's a shame. This boy deserved a chance. Are the other brothers like him?

"Nothing, doctor. Zé, the oldest, lives lounging around. He's a good-for-nothing. The other three are very young.

The garden was ready on schedule, and Nico, beyond the salary Aurélio, paid him, earned a lot of tips during the period in which he worked.

On the last day, after Mário settled the accounts with Aurélio, Nico went looking for him.

Dr. Mário, the garden is ready, but I wanted to continue working. Wish you could give me something to do? Any work will do.

Your classes start the day after tomorrow. You need to study.

I'm going to school in the morning. I leave at eleven o'clock. So I have the whole day off. Please, I like to come here and I want to work. I learned a lot from watching the masons and especially from the painters. Another day, Mr. Cláudio gave me the remaining ink and a brush that he won't use anymore. I painted my mother's kitchen and it was a beauty! I'd like you to see it! The house is ugly, but the wall was beautiful! I already know how to paint and I can learn other things.

Mário smiled. The boy's disposition was surprising.

Are you sure that working here is not going to affect your studies?

Yes, I get up early. When the rooster crows, I'm already on my feet. I don't go to school until eight o'clock. I have a lot of time to do the lesson and study.

In that case, you can come.

Nico was very happy. From that day on he would leave school, leave his books at home, eat some fruit or a piece of bread and go to the mansion. Both the engineer and the painter and the other people who were working in the house were getting used to the presence of the agile boy, always ready to give a hand, full of eagerness to learn. Within a short period of time, he became so useful that his help was disputed.

Mário liked to talk to him about the decoration of the house, showing him his projects, admiring his interest, and even the intelligent observations he made. The boy had a refined taste and knew how to differentiate true art. The engineer wondered how a poor child without a family cultural heritage could have such sensitivity. Nico had sharpened his aesthetic sense and knew exactly what would be most appropriate in each place.

During those two months living together, Mário became fond of the boy, occasionally taking him to lunch with him at the restaurant and sending some sandwiches to his family.

Nico admired him and looked at him fondly. One day, after having lunch together, while they were walking, Nico said seriously:

When I grow up, I'll be like you. Mário laughed affably.

Do you want to study engineering, like me?

I do. I've already decided that this is what I'm going to do.

You have to live in the city because there's no school here.

If it weren't for my family, I would go to the city right now. But I don't want to leave my mother. Without me she won't be able to manage the house.

In that case, when do you plan to do that?

After my siblings grow up and can work. Zé is going to have to learn some things one day, the others too. Then I'll go.

You say that, but I don't know if you could bear the idea of leaving your family. You seem to like them a lot.

Yes, I do, but I'll go away, I'll study, I'll earn a lot of money and I'll return to give them comfort and joy.

Mário looked at Nico and was moved. He'd had all the comforts, rich parents, and he lacked nothing. He had never had to worry about family. Everything in his life had been easy, without having to fight to get it. He studied for the love of art, and made his work a pleasure, since restoring and beautifying places was his passion. What would have been if he had been born poor just Nico?

Looking at the boy’s trusting face, he began to think that perhaps he would end up finding a way to help him realize his projects for the future.

Putting his arm around the boy's shoulders as they walked, he said:

You're right. That's right. One day you'll get it.

The boy shook his head and smirked. They had reached the gates of the mansion and went to work.

CHAPTER 2:

The renovation of the mansion wasn't completed in the stipulated time, no matter how much hard Mário tried. Some delays from suppliers and unexpected problems in the house that needed solution took longer, prevented the work schedule from being exactly met.

If for the engineer it was a nuisance, for Nico it was a pleasure. Following the progress of the work step by step allowed him to learn a lot. Knowing how things were done fascinated him, and, above all, seeing the ruins that were transformed into beauty and comfort amazed him. He didn't think about anything else. All his thoughts were about what was going on at the mansion.

He no longer stayed at the warehouse door waiting for some work. After school, he went to the mansion and stayed there as long as they sent him home.

One morning, while he was drinking coffee under the mango tree, Ernestina said:

They told me that the mansion is already finished.

Almost, mother. There're still some things missing.

Mrs. Engrácia said that the engineer doctor has already packed his bags to return to the capital.

It's not true. He'll only leave after the owners arrive.

How do you know?

Dr. Mário told me. He wants to deliver all the work correctly. For this reason, he'll only go back to São Paulo, when the owners have arrived.

So far no one has come.

Ernestina looked at her son with a little concern. He was very absorbed in the mansion. He was only talking about it and just thinking about going there. How will it look like when it's all over?

They'll be coming soon, and then the job will be over. You need to think about what you're going to do after the engineer leaves.

I'm going to miss him! He's the smartest and best man I've ever met. He knows how to do everything!

He's from the city. He'll leave soon and will never come back.

He said he's a friend of Dr. Norberto's family. He'll come here many times.

Ernestina took a sip of coffee and didn't answer. She understood Nico's admiration. She didn't know if it was a good thing that the engineer paid so much attention to the boy. When he left, it would be difficult for Nico to go back to his usual life. That coexistence made him get to know new things; he found opportunities that he'd never seen before. Faced with the sad reality of their lives, she feared he would be disappointed.

However, she was silent. She too, at Nico's age, had dreamed of wonderful things, of fairies and princes. However, her reality had been very different. Now, in the midst of her day to day struggles, Ernestina wondered many times what her destiny would have been if her parents hadn't forced her to marry Jacinto.

From time to time, lying next to her husband in a poor bed, while he snored loudly, she would find her dreams as a child again, thinking about the love that she had never felt and what it would be like to be able to love and be loved, like in the movie she'd seen once when Nico went to work at night as a cinema usher and got her a ticket.

After that, she never had the courage to tell anyone, when she woke up in the middle of the night or got up at dawn, while her husband was asleep, she imagined living a love affair like that! that desire, that dream was kept hidden from everyone, she made reality seem even sadder, but at the same time, it was what gave her the strength to continue, to fulfill his functions with the family.

Mom, Dr. Mário asked me if I wanted to go to study in the city.

He shouldn't ask such things. He knows you have no means.

I don't have it now. But when I can I'll go. I know that one day, when I grow up and everyone is already working, I'll be able to leave.

Ernestina looked at the boy thoughtfully. She had often felt that the small town where they lived was too small to Nico. She knew that one day he could no longer be able to contain his need for knowledge and would go in search of other ways. She didn't intend to containing him. Even knowing that she would be very sorry for his absence, she would like him to have the opportunities that she didn't have. Therefore, she answered:

If I had how, I would send you tomorrow.

I know, Mom. But I would not go. I don't want to leave you. Zé doesn't help you; Nilce, Jaime, and Neusinha are very young. Only I can help you.

Ernestina ran a hand through Nico's wavy hair in a loving gesture.

You really help me a lot. But do you know what? I was going to manage and be very happy to see you learning new things, studying in the city. There I would feel very proud when you were studying, handsome, earning a lot of money, and visiting me again. I just wanted to see Mrs. Edinete and Jacinto’s faces!

Dad wouldn't mind.

Sure, but he would be envious. Even Zé would stop being lazy and, who knows, he would decide to study and work a little.

He's still young, mom, he doesn't understand how things are. Soon he'll want to have more money and then he will start looking for something to do.

It could be. You're younger than him, and you already understood that.

People are different, mom.

It's true.

That afternoon when Nico went to the mansion, he saw an unusual movement. A large truck was parked in front of the front door of the house and several men were unloading furniture and boxes.

Nico entered the house interested. Mário was pacing back and forth, determining where everything should go. There were also two women who came and went, cleaning, and making arrangements. Nico didn't know them and deduced that they must have come from the capital since they were very different from the local population.

In the gardens, Aurélio and Maninho were tending to the plants and called Nico to help them. He grabbed the hose and began watering one of the flower beds, while Maninho smoothed the soil and pulled out the weeds.

It's very busy here today. Nico said, curious.

Yes, said Maninho. It looks like the owners are coming tomorrow. The maids have already arrived to put everything in order.

"Will there be time?

Our part has been ready for a long time. We're just conserving it. Now, on the inside, I don't know.

I think everything is going well. It's quite a beauty. They have already arranged the clothes inside the closets, and Zeca has already brought the purchases that are made in Mr. Nestor's store.

My aunt says that they're not going to stay long living here, that they spent all that money for nothing.

Nonsense. They're going to come and stay.

Maninho raised his head and with an air of disbelief asked:

And what about the colonel’s ghost? Do you think he's going to leave them? Nico laughed heartily and answered:

No way! That story was made up by ignorant people. Where has he been all this time? Has anyone seen him? I came here every day. He never showed up.

Good God, Nico! Don't challenge otherworldly soul! He may be listening and running after us.

Well, I'm not afraid. If he comes, I'll talk to him.

Ah, ah, ah! I want to see that!

Enough talk and let’s get to work. There's still a lot to water and we must take advantage now that the sun is setting Aurélio intervened.

Night had already fallen when they finished the garden. The three of them stared at the flower beds in amazement. Everything was beautiful!

Inside the house, the hustle and bustle continued. Aurélio went to talk to Mário about work. When the owners arrived, he would like to continue tending for the gardens.

I'll talk to Dr. Norberto. As far as I know, he won't bring a gardener. If he wants, I'll let you know. The two of them left and Nico stayed.

Dr. Mário, can I help you?

Aren't you tired

No sir. I'm not.

We stopped for a little to eat something. Have you eaten something?

No sir. I haven’t, but you don't have to worry. My mom leaves my plate on the stove to eat when I come back.

"Nothing like that. Today you're having dinner with me