He called her a pitiful servant and left for another woman. Yet, when he returned, an unexpected surprise awaited him.
Catarina had always heard the same line from her grandmother and mother: In this family, women never find love. Her greatgrandmother was widowed at twentytwo, her grandmother lost her husband at the factory, and her mother was left alone with a baby when Catarina was barely three. She didnt truly believe in curses, but deep down she expected her own romance to end in pain. Unintentionally, she still dreamed of a home, a husband, children of warm human connection.
Her future husband, Rui, met her while she worked as a packer at the factory. He was in a different department, but they ate in the same cafeteria, and thats how they fell in love. Everything moved fast: a few dates, a proposal, a wedding. Rui moved into her twobedroom apartment, inherited from her grandmother. Her mother had already passed away. At first things were calm: their first child was born, then the second. Catarina did everything she couldcooking, cleaning, raising the kids. Rui earned the money but started coming home less and less, and their conversations grew scarce.
When Rui began returning late from work, exhausted, with another mans perfume lingering on his shirt, she noticed. She didnt ask, fearing shed be left alone with two children. One day, however, she snapped:
Please think about the kids, I beg you.
He stayed silent, giving her only a cold stareno explanations, no shouting. The next morning she served him breakfast, and he didnt touch a thing.
Youre only good for being a servant, he said, disgusted.
A week later he left. He packed his bags and closed the door behind him.
Dont abandon us, please! she shouted down the hallway. The children need their father!
Youre a miserable servant, he repeated as he walked out. The kids heard. The two youngsters sat on the sofa, arms around each other, bewildered: what had they done? Why had their father left?
Catarina didnt let herself be crushed. She lived for the children. She took a cleaning job, scrubbed stairways, hauled buckets, taught the kids to read, and handwashed laundry when the machine broke. The children grew quickly, helping wherever they could. She forgot her own dreams, her own self. Yet fate had a surprise in store.
One day at the supermarket she dropped a packet of tea. A man caught it and smiled:
Need help with the bags?
No, its fine, she replied, distracted.
Ill help anyway, he said, already gathering her groceries.
His name was João. He started appearing at the store daily, then began walking her home, eventually showing up at her building to lend a hand with cleaning. The kids were wary, but he was gentle and patient. At their first dinner together he brought a cake and white roses. When the older son asked:
Did you play basketball?
João laughed.
Yes, at school. I still do.
Later he confessed:
I had an accident. I speak slowly and move with difficulty. My wife left me. If you dont like me, I understand.
If the kids like you, stay, Catarina answered.
He proposed to her and asked to talk with the children.
I want to be a real dad.
That night she explained everything to the boys. They embraced her.
Our father left and forgot about us, the youngest said. It would be great to have a dad who stays.
Thus João became part of the family. He taught the kids to kick a ball, helped with school projects, repaired shelves, and laughed with them. The house filled with life. Years passed; the boys grew into men. Tomás fell in love and went to João for advice. Just then the doorbell rang.
At the door stood Rui.
I was an idiot. Take me back. Lets start over
Leave, Tomás snapped.
How can you speak to your father like that?! Rui shouted.
Dont talk to my son that way, João warned firmly.
We dont need you, the youngest added. We already have a dad.
They shut the door on himfor good.
Catarina stood watching the three menher protectors, her family, built with blood, sweat, and tears. And at last she was happy.
