Written in the Stars

CHAPTER 8

"Bruno, this way I might have to hire you as my employee."

Bruno and Helena turn towards the direction of that calm voice and come face to face with a woman with long gray hair in a generous braid, sitting on the porch swing, looking at them serenely.

"Maria Izabel," says Bruno as he walks towards the simple woman, who now gets up from her swing with bare feet.

"Bruno," says Maria Izabel, turning her face, allowing Bruno to greet her. "How are you?"

"I'm great. And you?"

"I'm fine, I just finished grinding the sugarcane," Maria replies, smiling at the young man. Then she turns towards Helena, who is a little further away from the two. "And who is she?"

"This is Helena, she hired our Bike tour package," Bruno explains.

"Hmm... and since when my farm is part of your route?" Maria Izabel asks, surprised by Bruno's explanation.

Although her distillery is well known in the region, he didn't bring his customers here, even to avoid them going around drunk.

"She's special," says Bruno to Maria Izabel. "Just don't tell her that."

"Why is she special?"

"You'll see," Bruno replies while gesturing for Helena to come closer. As soon as the young woman approaches, he continues, "Helena, this is Maria Izabel, the creator and owner of the best distillery in the region, and perhaps the world!"

"Bruno, always so exaggerated," says Maria Izabel, smiling at Helena. "Pleased to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine. Your home is beautiful," praises Helena, admiring everything. "Congratulations!"

"And she built the distillery all by herself," Bruno continues speaking. "Tell her, Tia Maria."

"Really? I would love to hear your story up close," says Helena, looking at Maria Izabel, who now has an enigmatic expression.

"Now I understand," Maria Izabel blurts out, analyzing Helena carefully.

"Understand what?" Helena asks, curious.

"Nothing..." Maria Izabel replies. She takes a deep breath and speaks gently, "Come, sit down. I'll be more than happy to tell you my story."

The three take a few steps to the porch, where Maria Izabel sits back in her swing while Bruno and Helena sit on the carved wooden bench. She smiles at the two and then settles in more comfortably.

"You know, I once had that look... that pain in your eyes," Maria comments, pointing at Helena, who is surprised. "Divorce? Breakup? Engagement?"

"He broke up with me a few hours before we were to walk down the aisle," Helena replies, shyly. "Not only that, he said a few things... and maybe he was right about me," Helena affirms, sadly. She then looks at Maria Izabel and says, "Well, I didn't come here to burden you with my failed relationship. Now I want to know how you built this paradise."

"Bruno, ask Maia to bring the bluish and gold cachaça, please," Maria Izabel says, looking serenely at Helena. "To know my story, you must savor my product."

"Of course," says Bruno, walking into the property.

"Helena," Maria Izabel calls, once again catching the blonde's attention. "Know that we are much more alike than you think."

"Really? Were you also left at the altar?" Helena asks, surprised. Now she understood why Bruno brought her to Maria's distillery.

"No. I got married at seventeen. I had six daughters with him and a tumultuous relationship. Until one day we separated, and I invested all the money I had when I bought this seaside farm. All I wanted was a piece of land to plant and have a horse, a childhood dream. However, I bought it and found myself without money or a profession, and at that time, with five daughters to raise, one in my belly, I did a bit of everything. I sold bananas, embroidered, sewed, gardened, and even sailed. I took tourists on tours around Paraty's islands on the boat I bought for my own transportation. There were no roads to Santo Antônio farm back then, so I traveled by boat. And no matter what I tried to do, I always heard my ex-husband's voice in my head saying, 'If it weren't for me, you'd be a drunkard!' And you know what? He was right. Cachaça ran in my family's veins for years, and I could no longer deny it. So, I planted my first sugarcane here and started slowly. I took his words, redefined my standards, and broke the prejudices about cachaça made by women. So, from the day I planted my first sugarcane until today, I decided who I was: Yes, I'm a cachaça maker! I am."

"And one of the best," Maia jokes, approaching with the two requested bottles as Bruno holds the glasses.

"Thank you," Maria Izabel says, kissing her daughter on the cheek as she sits beside her. "I finished setting up the distillery while pregnant with Maia, and the first distillation happened just after she turned two years old. Maia was born with Down Syndrome, but it didn't limit her either. She's my biggest companion and motivation. All six of my daughters have always given me the strength to move forward in the most difficult times. Because don't think it's easy, but it depends a lot on you," she concludes, serving the clear cachaça and handing it to Helena.

***

Helena holds her little glass of cachaça, brings it to her lips, and then tilts it back, savoring the drink. She clears her throat right after the cachaça goes down her throat and courses through her body, bringing a warm sensation.

"So, what do you think?" Bruno asks, looking at Helena, curious.

"Strong, but smooth," Helena tries to say before coughing.

"Just like people should be," Maria Izabel comments, looking at Helena.

"Just like people should be," Helena repeats, nodding towards Maria, agreeing. She turns to Bruno and continues, "Strong and smooth."

"Now it's time to put a real smile on this young lady's face," Maria Izabel says, opening another bottle of golden-colored cachaça. "You see when we drink cachaça, we become happy. So with the right cachaça, you'll be even happier. With this one, everyone becomes cheerful," she concludes, handing another glass to Helena, who quickly gulps it down.

"I think she's right," Helena affirms, blushing and laughing.

They continue cheerfully tasting the other cachaças produced by Maria Izabel while she explains the entire artisanal production process and chats with them, making Helena feel at ease like she hadn't in a long time. So much so that time flies, and when Helena realizes it, the sun is already allowing itself to disappear on the horizon of the beach.

"Thank you very much," Helena thanks Maia after making the financial transaction for the cachaças she decided to take as souvenirs for some people in São Paulo.

However, the cachaças she consumed that day had the pleasant surprise of having been paid for by Bruno, who was talking to Maria Izabel near the bikes.

"Send a kiss to your mother for me," Maria Izabel asks the young man.

"Sure thing," Bruno says, trying to disguise the sadness behind his smile.

"How is she doing?" Maria Izabel asks.

"You know, there are good days and bad days..." Bruno replies.

"Bruno, you know that everything has its time and nothing happens by chance," Maria Izabel comments. "Just be grateful for everything."

"It's hard to be grateful for a disease that's slowly taking my mother away."

"But be grateful for the time you still have with her. Those moments of lucidity... Be thankful for that," Maria asks, touching the young man's face. "As well as for the people who are in your life and those who are coming into it," she concludes, now looking towards Helena.

"Helena isn't coming into my life. She's just a client who needed care," Bruno affirms, speaking as fast as his nerves allow.

"Oh, dear. She's already come in," Maria Izabel asserts, looking at Bruno, who was nervously looking at Helena.