Building My Life

Chapter 25 - An Act of Kindness

Uélton placed both hands on Josias’s wrists, desperate to pull away. Josias continued to press his friend’s body against the unplastered wall with a strength he didn’t know he possessed.

“Let go of me, man! These bricks are scratching my back,” Uélton pleaded.

“Answer my question,” Josias demanded, his tone tough and domineering.

“No, I didn’t want to make you look bad!” Uélton was practically whining. “I spoke without thinking! If Pamela was conspiring to keep you away from Melissa, I’m not part of it. Let me go, man; I thought we were friends.”

Josias released Uélton’s shoulders, and the boy exhaled in relief. He had honestly thought he was about to get punched.

“Thanks, buddy. And I’m sorry for the slip-up.”

Romualdo appeared after overhearing the final exchange. “Morning, boys. Is everything okay here?”

“Everything’s fine, Seu Romualdo,” Josias replied with a smile. “Uélton and I were just settling a misunderstanding.”

Romualdo looked at Uélton, who tried his best to hide the panic he had been feeling moments ago. Then the foreman turned and walked away. Uélton turned back to Josias.

“Since we’re being serious, can you explain why my mother had to donate my older brother’s clothes to you?”

Josias looked at Uélton and hesitated before speaking. “Okay, but this stays between us! Don’t go spreading it around, or it could bring trouble my way.”

While preparing the mortar for the plastering, Josias explained everything that had happened. Uélton was stunned by the end of the story.

“Dude, why didn’t you tell me sooner? My mom could have donated some boxers.”

Josias shook his head. He had a personal rule against wearing another man’s underwear; the shirt and pants were enough. “I can handle it until Friday.”

Uélton stared at the sweatpants. “I don’t know, buddy... sweatpants tend to... highlight things. And you’re out here in the open with people passing by on the street. Some lady is going to notice without meaning to.”

Josias instinctively placed the paint can he was carrying between his legs.

Later, in the room that would become the kitchen, Uélton was telling Romualdo what he had discovered. “Do you understand, Seu Romualdo? He’s going commando under those sweats because he only had one pair for four months, and my mother threw them out because they were so grimy.”

“Poor boy.” Josias’s situation made Romualdo’s heart ache. “Teodoro told me his story. I’m going to help him.”

Uélton caught Romualdo by the arm as he started to walk away. “Ah, he doesn’t really like people knowing. He asked me to keep it a secret, but I’m telling you because you can actually help him.”

Romualdo smiled understandingly. “Don’t worry, Uélton. I won’t tell him it was you.”

At lunchtime, Josias was sitting on an upturned paint can, eating the meal Teodoro had prepared for him. Romualdo approached and held out several bills. Josias looked up in surprise.

“Seu Romualdo? What’s this?”

“I thought that of all the people in the world, you’d recognize money,” Romualdo joked, smiling at the young man’s shock.

“I know it’s money,” Josias smiled, joining in the jest. “I’m asking why you’re giving it to me now.”

“I talked to Teodoro the other day. I needed to know more about you.” Josias stopped chewing and swallowed, staring at Romualdo. “He told me everything. Now I understand why you’re always shirtless. Here, accept your payment for the week. And after lunch, you can head out. Use the afternoon to buy yourself some clothes.”

Josias smiled with deep gratitude. He took the bills and tucked them into his pocket. “Thank you very much, Seu Romualdo. May God reward you. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to reward you too.”

Romualdo let out a hearty laugh. “Don’t say that, young man. I’m paying you for the work you’re doing here. It’s not charity. You don’t need to reward me for anything.”

Josias, however, was determined. “The deal was to pay me on Friday, and you’re paying me now, in advance. This is a gesture of kindness, not just business. I won’t forget that, Seu Romualdo.”

Josias assumed that serious expression again — the posture of a future businessman. His attitude didn’t seem to fit his current surroundings. Romualdo walked away with great admiration.

“He won’t be in this life for long,” Romualdo muttered to himself as he went to guide the other masons on the slab frame.