Life had once again settled into a routine. Potira was doing well in school and sometimes preferred to stay there, even on weekends. Rudá, on the other hand, loved the school he was in. The boy now had a physical build appropriate for his age. Helena suspected he would grow as tall as Estefano.
When at home, Rudá had become Estefano's shadow, even going to the club with him despite Helena's protests. The boy slept in his hammock on the porch, even though Helena didn't like it. When it rained, Rudá would crawl into their bed; he loved the rain, but the porch was open and got wet. Helena would drag him inside, and he would take refuge in the large bed they had, right between Helena and Estefano. Even sleeping without the scent of his wife, Estefano felt honored by Rudá's trust in him, even
