Building My Life

Chapter 26 - More Purchases and Visions

Josias returned to Teodoro’s building feeling very satisfied with his first payment. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for the essential purchases he intended to make that day.

When he told Teodoro, the landlord was thrilled for the young man. “Now, set sail for downtown and buy some clothes, my boy. I don’t know how you haven’t caught the flu yet.”

Josias believed that being shirtless only strengthened his resistance to the cold. It was all a matter of habit, even the fact that he slept naked.

However, once he was downtown, he thought twice about whether or not to buy some underwear. He decided to buy them because, well, you never know. It was better not to scandalize people unnecessarily.

Josias bought a simple T-shirt and some shorts to wear at home (or in his room) so he wouldn’t have to stay in his sweatpants; those were now “promoted” to the status of “work clothes only.” The black shirt and jeans donated by Uélton’s mother would be reserved for going out, just as he was doing now.

While waiting at the bus stop with his plastic bags, Josias had a smile of pure satisfaction. He looked up and thanked God heartily for having mercy on him.

As the bus to Rainbow Garden pulled up and Josias boarded, he began to remember his abandoned house. Months had passed; what had become of it? Surely the police had shown up to remove his father’s body, but what then? Josias became curious. How were his things? His papers?

If Josias could go back just to retrieve a few more belongings, it would be a huge help. He didn’t want to deal with new documents; he had already endured enough lines and bureaucracy to get them in the first place. And who knows — maybe he could get some more of his clothes?

Lost in thought, Josias leaned against the bus window and accidentally saw exactly who he had been looking for outside. Everaldo.

Everaldo was wearing formal clothes, a long-sleeved shirt, and carrying a Bible under his arm. He was crossing the city’s main square. Did he intend to take the bus?

But the driver closed the door, started the engine, and began to pull away.

Damn it! Josias was tempted to get off, but bus drivers rarely liked to stop once they had started moving. He had to try and give Everaldo a chance to board.

“Hey, driver! Someone’s getting on!”

It didn’t work. The driver didn’t hear him (or pretended not to) and continued on his way. Frustrated, Josias looked back and saw Everaldo looking regretful about having missed the bus. Josias felt the same lack of luck. What was happening? It felt like a conspiracy!

Josias kept thinking about it until he remembered he wasn’t going to his old neighborhood; Happiness Slum was a few kilometers before it. As his stop approached, he pulled the cord to signal and stood up to disembark. When he got off the bus, it coincided with the local school releasing students early. Josias strode through the crowd of students until he found Melissa. Luckily, she was alone.

“Melissa?” Josias called out. She heard him and turned around. They both smiled.

Melissa, however, was internally anxious and a little embarrassed about having left Josias to talk to those “heartthrob” types.

“Josias! I didn’t see you anymore at the party yesterday. Did something happen? Why did you leave?” Melissa noticed he was wearing the same clothes as the night before.

“No, I just decided to head out. You were so focused on your friends that I didn’t want to bother you.”

Josias had no ill intent, but Melissa felt as though she were being scolded. “I get it... I left you standing there. Forgive me, that wasn’t my intention.”

Josias quickly dispelled that impression. “No, Melissa, I’m not scolding you. You’re free to do what you want... free to meet and talk to whoever you choose.”

“But I wanted to talk to you... to stay with you,” Melissa said, looking down.

Josias felt a pang of sympathy for her. It was becoming clear to him that it had all been Pamela’s trick — Pamela, who thought she had the right to judge who Melissa deserved to know. However, being a gentleman, Josias decided not to accuse Pamela or gossip.

“Anyway, the party was good overall,” Josias commented to cheer her up.

“Yes, I had a lot of fun. I’m glad you liked it too.” Melissa kept talking, but she wasn’t looking at Josias anymore. She was staring straight ahead.

The two continued to chat about trivial things, both deliberately avoiding the subject of the party so that no one would be further hurt. When they reached the corner of Hope Street, they said their goodbyes.

Josias took Melissa’s right hand and kissed it, like a nineteenth-century lord. She walked away, looking much calmer and wearing a brighter smile.