Elize
Alemão looked at me, wanting to know if I would be okay, but I encouraged him to go.
"You can go to work."
"Are you sure?" He hesitated.
"I am. I'll be fine with them. They're my friends."
Gleice, with her ever-present energy, added:
"You can go, Alemão. We'll take care of her. We'll bake a cake, chat, and we won't leave until you get back."
He gave me a kiss on the forehead, a gesture of affection, and left. As soon as the door closed, the girls sat with me on the living room carpet, forming a circle of support I didn't realize I needed so much.
"Thank you for coming." I murmured, with a lump in my throat.
Gleice was direct, as always:
"The Lieutenant didn't say exactly what happened, but he said you weren't well and needed company. So here we are, so you won't be alone."
