Episode 12

...Julia…...

After putting Bia to sleep, I decided to watch some TV. I’ve always wanted to watch these late-night comedy shows, but back at Mrs. Marisa's house, I only saw them when someone else was watching, and I just happened to be passing by.

The show starts, and I’m there, giggling quietly, so as not to run the risk of Mr. Renan hearing me and ending my fun, just for the sake of knowing he wouldn’t do that.

Renan: Can I watch with you?

He hands me a plate with cake, and I just take it, speechless. I sit up straight on the sofa and he sits next to me.

Julia: What kind of question is that, Mr. Renan? The house is yours.

Renan: This show is funny.

Julia: I think so too. This presenter has made me laugh a lot already.

Renan: I got cake to make it even better, and by the way, it's delicious.

Julia: Thank you, I made it especially for you.

Renan: Really?

Julia: Yes, didn't you say you loved sweets?

Renan: Yeah, I did… Thank you for remembering that, Julia.

We smile and go back to eating and paying attention to the show.

When the commercial break came, I took our plates and took them to the kitchen. I came back, and he was thoughtful.

Julia: Is everything okay, Mr. Renan?

Renan: I don’t know, Julia. Everything is so uncertain when it comes to my life. Today, I was sad and happy over a million times. Nothing is stable.

I sit back on the sofa.

Julia: I know that feeling… Sometimes I feel like I had it all because I was helped by Mrs. Marisa's family… For having had a home, for having had the chance to study… But sometimes I feel empty for not having someone to call mom, or to simply remember my birthday and congratulate me.

Renan: Wow, Julia, you managed to make this even sadder… What is my situation compared to yours…

Julia: I had someone who was like a mother to me. She used to say that everyone knows the pain they carry, so we can’t downplay our own pain or compare it to anyone else’s.

Renan: She must have been a very intelligent person.

Julia: She was.

Renan: When is your birthday?

Julia: It’s still a few months away.

Renan: I want to know anyway.

I tell him the date.

Renan: You'll never go through another birthday without getting a hug, I promise.

Julia: Mr. Renan, don't say that or I'll cry. You’ve been so good to me. You have a very beautiful heart.

Renan: You think so?

Julia: I do.

Renan: Even after what you saw earlier today?

Julia: That was a side of you that we all have.

Renan: Really? I can’t imagine you angry.

Julia: Well, I do. It’s natural for all of us.

He smiled at me.

Renan: You’re amazing, Julia. Now I understand why the kids loved you so much.

He stared at me, and I looked away when I saw that the show was back on.

Julia: Look, Mr. Renan, it’s back!

We went back to watching, and the next thing I know, Mr. Renan is trying to carry me.

Julia: No, wait…

I get up quickly.

Renan: What’s wrong? You were almost asleep…

Julia: Good night, Mr. Renan. See you tomorrow.

Renan: See you tomorrow.

I go to my room a little awkwardly.

The next day I do the same as every day. I wake up earlier to make coffee and then I wake up the kids. But today I had a surprise.

Gabriel: Good morning, Julia.

Mr. Renan came into the kitchen with the kids.

Julia: Good morning, my love, good morning, princess!

I take her from Mr. Renan's arms.

Renan: Good morning, Julia! I woke them up today. I hope you don't mind.

Julia: Of course not. Good morning to you too.

Gabriel: Julia, can I eat cake now?

Julia: Yes, my love. Let me serve you.

Renan: Let me serve him.

He sat down next to Gabriel and dished out the cake.

Gabriel: Hmm...

Julia: And you, my love, shall we eat something different today?

I put her in the highchair and put some chopped fruit in front of her. She eats by herself and seems to like it.

Renan: What about you?

Julia: I wake up without much of an appetite, but I'll have some coffee.

Renan: I don’t say no to coffee either.

Gabriel: Dad, can we go in the pool today?

Renan: It’s a great day for that, isn’t it? We’ll get changed after coffee.

Gabriel: Yay!

Renan: Julia, get Bia into her swimsuit too.

Julia: Sure.

Gabriel: You can too, Julia, right, Dad?

Renan: Sure, why not?

Julia: I'll just keep you company and look after Bia.

We finished our coffee, and I went to get Bia dressed.

We go out to the pool, and the two of them are already in the water, playing.

Gabriel: Throw it, Dad!

I sat down on the chair and put sunscreen on Beatriz.

Gabriel: Come on, Julia!

Renan: Yeah, Julia.

Julia: Thanks, I'm fine watching you here.

They continue playing, and soon Renan gets out of the pool to get Bia. I try not to look at him too much. I've never seen a man like this in front of me before. Whenever his son was in the pool, Mrs. Marisa would ask me not to go near there. I thanked God that she never asked me to take things out to him.

Renan: Come on, daughter, let's take a dip in the pool.

He gets in the pool with her, and I watch her joy in the water. I wave, and she waves back.

After a long time in the water, they get out, and while I dry Bia, Mr. Renan dries himself and Gabriel.

The two of them are playing around. They don’t even look like the same people they were yesterday. Deep down, they’re exactly the same. In the middle of the game, Gabriel pulls down his father's swim trunks, and I get a front-row view of Mr. Renan's butt.

Julia: Jesus!

Gabriel: Haha, white butt!

The worst part is that it was true. He was red from the sun and had a white butt.

Renan: Show some respect, kid!

Mr. Renan pulls up his swim trunks and runs after him. He comes back carrying Gabriel, and I sit Bia down in her chair to drink some water.

Julia: Gabriel, come and have some water.

Beatriz: Biel.

Julia: Well done, my love.

He comes closer.

Julia: Drink this water.

He was looking at me, holding back laughter.

Julia: What is it?