Me and LukeThe house is silent. There are no women's shoes on the door, nor is the door unlocked. Claudio is not at home and things seem to stay where they are. I go to my old room. I can't imagine it any other way, it's old, like it's from the past and doesn't belong to me anymore. Likewise, I felt that I didn't belong there and that as soon as my mother left that hospital and came home, I would leave again. A few hours later, Geane sent me a message canceling the meeting without explaining the reasons.A week later, the meeting finally took place.Since meeting Luke, I haven't had much time to think about him and how my feelings confused me when my eyes landed on his. But now that I'm here in front of my wardrobe making sure I don't have anything cool to wear, I'm thinking about giving up, calling Geane and making up some excuse and giving up on seeing Luke again. I rummage through it, hoping I've left behind some decent-looking clothes, but all I find are old, torn, faded, outdate

— I wanted to buy new shelves for my books – I swallow hard, trying to hide the fact that the world has just collapsed on my head at that very moment – ​​but they're over there in Rio, and I'm here. I wonder every day if they are being well cared for.She was amused by the way I talked about the books. And even though I was telling yet another lie, I realized how passionate I was about reading.— If you want, I'll lend you mine – there's still a silly smile on his lips – it's not the same as in your books, but it's enough to kill the nostalgia.— I'll think about the proposal – I scratched my beard, trying to throw all my worries away – there isn't a bookstore in this town. And the stores here open at nine.— A pity – I watched her take the last sip of ice cream and start biting the crunchy cone – although there isn't much to buy here, so it doesn't matter if it opens at nine or eleven.— I hate shopping online – I said with a despondent air, because I hadn't known how it felt to buy

— Are you all right, Aurora? – ​​ she looks at me in astonishment – ​​it looks like she saw a ghost.I saw the devil in human form.I'm fine, mom – she stammered and the crying started, but I have to swallow so I don't worry Desiree.Furthermore, I walk towards her and hug her. Not only that, but I feel safe in her arms, and I wish I never left here. How I missed that hug, the smell of chamomile that exudes from her hair, her skin so soft, and the love that only she has for me, shown in every gesture, attitude, and word. If only I could transfer all my vitality to her. If I could just switch places with my mom, I certainly would.— Rebeca came to visit me – I walk away, looking at the smile that formed on her lips when she said her name. Traitor – very kind of her to come here, don't you think?She came to make sure you had your foot in the grave.— I don't think so – the words come out harshly, but I don't regret or apologize – I don't like her.— Why are you saying this? – ​​ he a

My mother's love.There was nothing in the wide world like her talent.Desiree knew how to do a little of everything, or rather, she learned how to do it. I grew up watching her create things like newspaper baskets, pantyhose flowers and fridge magnets. She loved the craft. She had never gone beyond the limits of the state of Goiás, lost in the cerrado like someone who didn't know the vast world in which she lived. But the whole world seemed to be there, inside our house. It didn't matter if she didn't know the sound of the oceans or the touch of the sea, or had never learned another language besides Portuguese, what she wanted to learn, she learned. He sat in his rocking chair, already worn out, and only got up from there when his mission was over. I have never met a more talented and intelligent woman than her. Creating a career like this, learning and teaching other women to earn their own income from handicrafts.The house is full of his creations, on the walls, furniture, picture

The beginning of the endI texted my dad the day before that Desiree was due for surgery the next day. He viewed the message but didn't reply, didn't call her to wish her good luck or anything like that. His attitude makes me furious.They remove her nasogastric tube, and we walk to the operating room. She is smiling. The nurse informs her that she needs to leave her sandals and wear a kind of cap for her feet. Desiree hands me the sandals, gives me one last look, and walks off into the OR, happily walking. I watch her disappear as soon as the door is closed, and I pray softly that God will protect her and free my mother from any complications.I sit on one of the benches and stay there for about four hours, waiting, while patients come and go. Not only that, but I observe Lourdes approaching and sitting next to me.— Go home, girl – she advises me – these procedures take six to eight hours.— I was told that her surgery was simple – I find her explanation strange.— For removal of ga