I open the gate of my little frontyard, I take a look at the flowers that are under the window, the earth looks fresh, so I deduce that Natalia has already watered them, I look for the keys in my pockets but I can't find them, so I have no choice but to knock on the door.
— Who? —Sarita asks in her singing tone of voice.
— It's me —I answer.
— Don Eusebio —she says surprised— don't tell me you lost your keys?
— I lefted in home, they are surely in my room.
When I open the door I can see his expression that I'm wrong— I ordered the whole piece and I couldn't find any key, look.
— Maybe you didn't look for them well —I emphasize, seeing his unconvinced face, I change my answer— or I should have left them in my other jacket —this would be the fourth set of keys I lose — they'll appear.
— As Don Eusebio says —he says condescendingly —by the way, his son Leopoldo, he came with the kids.
I suppose our talk will be sooner than I thought— Where are they? —I walk from the reception to the living room, before she can answer me I see my son holding a cigarette and smoking on the couch while my grandson looks at a photo album.
As soon as Valdemar notices my presence, he leaves the album to walk towards me shyly, I bend my knee to catch up with him— Come give me a hug —the boy accelerates his steps to stay in my arms— every day bigger.
He puts his head towards my ear— Can I stay here tonight? My brothers cry a lot.
I can't help but smile at his request— Only if your mom lets you.
He nods excitedly and goes to the kitchen, I stand up again as I watch him leave— Every day he looks more like us.
— Better that than resembles my grandfather —my son Leopoldo replies before putting the cigarette back in his mouth— I saw what happened to "La Moneda" palace —he takes a last puff and puts it out in the ashtray— then we win?
— I wish it were that simple —I go to the shelf where I keep the liquor, I take out a bottle of Brandi, I show the bottle to my son who responds by nodding his head, I take out two glasses to serve us— this country is about to change from feet to head and the good thing is that we will be in the best place for what is to come —he finishes serving both glasses and distributes them, stretches his embrace to make a toast— so cheers on our victory.
— Cheers —my son says after receiving the glass, after taking a sip, I can perceive that something worries him— What do you mean by our victory?"
I take a long drink of my brandy, before answering the question I see my two daughters coming out of the kitchen.
Carolina closes the door of the room they come and lights a cigarette, while Rosa looks for a glass to also pour herself a drink, I suppose that is there is a time to talk, it is now.
— We have a decision to make as a family and before they say a single word I want you to sit down and listen to me carefully —the three of them look at me strangely, they know that this drama is not usual in me, while I explain what will happen to the country my three children only limit themselves to raising their eyebrows occasionally, Carolina stubs out her cigarette in the ashtray and by the end of my explanation Rosa is going to pour herself a second drink.
— My children will not be orphans —Leopoldo answers without hesitating for a second— do what you want, but I will not abandon my wife and children.
— We just lost half the country —he says, still holding the brandy bottle —they could eradicate us as soon as they want.
— Did you not hear me? They are infertile, they need us to continue existing.
She places the bottle on the table with force, for a moment I thought it might break— What happens the day you decide to be fertile ?! They promised to help us regain government, not stay to rule us.
— They won't rule. Didn't you see the press interview? Our family and four others are the ones who will run the country.
— We will lead being part of them —Carolina clarifies from her seat— it does not stop meaning that we give the country to them, what Dad is telling us is that we can choose to start from the top or — Leopoldo looks at— be pawns.
Certainly what she says is a pretty down-to-earth way of looking at things— That's why I propose that we go, in your case Leo, raise them so that one day they can come live with us and then you come, your sisters will be waiting for you with The open arms.
— I'm not going to cross —she moves away from the drinks cabinet— this is our country, we wouldn't have to let them stay in it, I don't know what your Carolina will do, but I won't let them steal what belongs to us.
— What belongs to us? —She stands up— you're taking it too personal, let's accept the offer and then join us by Leito, now if you don't mind I'd like to go to my room to rest.
Rosa does not hide her annoyance as she walks out of the house.
— Rosa Where are you going?
— It's none of your business.
Without taking a second speeding towards her and I take her by the arm— More respect with your dad, if you don't tell me where you are going, don't deign to return to this house.
— You are no longer my father then
His haughty tone makes my blood rush to my head.
— You can't let her out —Carolina warns me, as she slowly walks to the second floor— knowing her for sure she plans to tell everyone about what is about to happen.
When I look at the expression of annoyance that Rosa gives Carolina, I have no doubt that this is the case— You're going to your room.
— I'm not a child for you to lock me up —She makes a little struggle to free herself but I don't allow it.
— But you're still my daughter.
— I'm not your daughter anymore! The scream echoes through the house causing both my wife and daughter-in-law to come out of the kitchen, each rocking one of the twins from waking up.
— What is happening? —My wife asks— The little ones just fell asleep.
— Nothing sweetheart, I just remind this girl of her place in the house.
Leopoldo approaches the two women who have just joined the meeting— I'll give you the details later, now go back to the kitchen until this is resolved.
— Why are you taking Rosita by the arm? —My wife asks with obvious concern.
I take a quick look back to confirm that my son managed to get them both to leave, but I must turn when I feel another struggle— Look what you got —I scold my daughter.
— If you let me out, none of this would have happened, now let go of me and live your life that I will live mine.
I can't take any risk— Carolina, Leopoldo, help me lock up your sister, while the wall is not ready, she is not allowed to leave this house —I give her a jerk toward me— and if you happen to scream for help I will put a tape in your mouth that I will only tear off for you to eat.
I can feel the urge to cry in her, resigned to being a prisoner is taken away by her two brothers, trying to regain her composure, I go for the bottle of burning water, I remove the lid and with my trembling pulse I know that it could not serve me well a drink so I drink from the bottle, the heat of the liquid burns my throat, I look at the roof of the house and listen softly to the sobs of my Rosa and the footsteps of my other two children going to the stairs. Now I have no doubt that this is the beginning of our problems.