The international airport of Cuiabá exuded heat, the scorching sun reflecting on the windows as passengers hurriedly moved about. Helena was anxious, her eyes scanning the crowd emerging from the arrival gate. Finally, after years, she was going to reunite with her brother, Marcelo, and their mother, Regina.
Isabel, the eldest, looked at her mother with a curious gleam in her eyes. “Mom, what is Grandma Regina like? Dad said she's difficult to handle.”
Antônio, the middle child, grimaced. “He said she's like a snake.”
Emanoel, the youngest, laughed and agreed, “A snake, exactly.”
Helena bent down to their level, her expression gentle and calm. “You know, kids, we can't judge a person without getting to know them. Let's give Grandma Regina a chance.”
As she spoke, she spotted the arriv
