Building My Life

Chapter 30 - May I Have Your Phone Number?

Josias stormed into his room, fuming over Jeremiah’s provocations. Was this guy really going to be a thorn in his side forever because of one argument? After taking a deep breath and reflecting for a moment, Josias decided not to take the mockery to heart.

“Life goes on,” he muttered. “No point in fighting over something that’s already been settled.”

Having found some peace, Josias grabbed a towel, his new shorts, and clean underwear, and headed downstairs. He was relieved to find the bathroom empty and quickly locked the door.

The first drops of water hit his skin like daggers. Even though the water was cold, Josias winced and recoiled. The day’s sun had done serious damage. Once the shower was over, even the softest pat of the towel felt like sandpaper against his raw skin.

Back in his room, with his entire body feeling like it was on fire, he used the pain as another excuse to sleep naked. The less fabric touching his skin, the better. As he lay there, Josias flushed, this time from embarrassment, at the thought of how Melissa would react if she ever found out about his “unusual” sleeping habit.

***

Meanwhile, Pamela rushed to the living room to answer the phone, which was ringing insistently.

“Hello?”

“Pamela, it’s Fabrício. Your friend Melissa hasn’t called me back yet.” Fabrício’s voice was full of indignation.

Pamela gulped. She had fabricated a story about Melissa being crazy about him; how was she supposed to explain this now?

“Really? Try again, maybe she’s just busy.”

“Yesterday, her father said she was out. Was she with you?”

Pamela paused to think. Melissa left the house yesterday? She certainly hadn’t gone to Pamela’s. Did she go... to the boarding house? To see Josias?

Pamela couldn’t let Fabrício know there was another man in the picture. “I don’t know. Sometimes she goes out to buy beer for her father, or maybe she goes to see another friend.”

“Did you tell her I’m falling for her?” The anxiety in his voice was palpable.

“No, and it’s better that way,” Pamela said, her eyes widening as she improvised. “I don’t want her to think I’m pushing you on her, she’d lose interest immediately. She’s the type who likes to take the initiative. If you do talk to her, please, don’t tell her I’m the one who gave you the number.”

“She’s going to ask how I got it,” Fabrício replied, sounding confused.

“Make up an excuse! Goodnight!” Pamela hung up before he could say another word.

***

Josias still woke up with a start most mornings since he didn’t own a clock or an alarm. He left his door slightly ajar so the morning light could wake him. His first move was always to step onto the balcony to check the neighborhood’s rhythm. Children heading to school? Check. Adults dressed for work? Check. Seven in the morning, he concluded.

He opened his dresser drawer, took out some of his remaining cash, and planned to head to the pharmacy early, following Teodoro’s advice. After a quick trip to the bathroom — thankfully without running into Jeremiah — he had breakfast with Teodoro.

At the pharmacy, he bought the moisturizer and sunscreen Teodoro had recommended. As he was paying, he glanced back and saw Melissa walking in.

“This time, I won’t be able to help you,” Josias teased with a smile. “I’ve already spent my money here.”

“Don’t worry, I checked my purse twice this time,” Melissa laughed.

The clerk handed Josias his bag, and he waited for her. Melissa bought a box of aspirin, explaining that her mother suffered from frequent headaches. As they walked back toward the slum, Melissa shared the news.

“It looks like someone from Saint Gabriel is calling me, wanting to pick up where we left off.”

Josias narrowed his eyes, surprised. “Really? Which one?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t answered yet,” Melissa said kindly.

Josias could barely hide his satisfaction; he felt like he was winning.

“Pamela’s matchmaking is finally paying off, then,” he ventured.

“I told Pamela not to play matchmaker. I don’t want any of that,” Melissa said categorically. “If this Fabrício is expecting something from me, he’s going to be disappointed.”

“You sound like you haven’t even spoken to him yet,” Josias noted, raising an eyebrow.

“I haven’t at all,” Melissa chuckled. “Yesterday, my dad knocked on my door, but I hid under the blankets and pretended to be fast asleep. He fell for it and didn’t even check.”

Josias was beaming on the inside, though he remained calm on the outside. “You don’t have to hold back on my account, Melissa. We aren’t official yet. You’re free to talk to whoever you want.”

Melissa gave him a sly, knowing smile. “The thing is... I don’t want to talk to Fabrício.”

Josias kept his eyes on the horizon, not daring to look at her. He didn’t want to seem desperate for her affection, but her words were everything he needed to hear. As they reached the corner of Hope Street, they prepared to part ways. Then, Josias took a leap of faith.

“Can I have your number, Melissa?”

Melissa felt a pleasant jolt of excitement. Finally!

“I thought you’d never ask. Do you have a pen and paper?”

“You know very well that a few months ago, all I had were these sweatpants,” he joked, pushing his luck.

Melissa laughed heatedly. “Then let’s go to your building. I’m sure that man at the counter has one.”

They turned together toward the boarding house. As soon as they were out of sight, Pamela stepped out from behind a utility pole. She had been hiding, and her face was twisted in a mask of pure disgust at seeing Josias and Melissa so close.