The next day it is inevitable that the public announcement about the death of Octavio has to be made, we meet in the Blanco Encalada building, formerly known as the Ex Arsenal de Guerra.
Samuel looks bored in his seat— I don't see why so much doubt about what we will have to say, clearly it was an attack by the people Eusebio's daughter hangs out with.
— There is no evidence to support that —I clarify— at first glance it seems that I am defending my daughter, but it is not about that, if we affirm that they were, and we were wrong, they will accuse us of defamers, which could damage our reputation.
Veronica also looks tired of the debate— So tell us, Eusebio, who could be responsible?
Sigh defeated— I don't know.
Leticia rests both hands on the table, as if she were giving the final verdict— For me, it is clear that it was your daughter with her companions who are responsible.
Samuel stretches and yawns— You already know what to say in the press interview Verónica, although if you wish I can speak for you.
— Thank you for your good disposition —says Veronica with false kindness— you take care of the benefits program for the animanos
— I know what my duty is and speaking of that, we have to inform Roberto Vindicta that he must appear at these meetings —Samuel gets up, gives the feeling that the meeting is over— I will take advantage of visiting him and informing him.
— I don't support the inclusion of Roberto —Verónica intervenes.
Samuel freezes, you can see the annoyance on his face— Don't make me sit in that chair again, the rules say that the oldest son in the family will take responsibility.
— Jorge is not the right person, we need someone with common sense like his father —a brief second of silence is formed in the room, we all understand what he is about to propose— Rogelio Vindicta should take his place.
— He is too young, he is only 42 years old —Leticia claims— even his older brother, who is 45 years old, is too young to be part of this group.
Veronica does not hide how ridiculous the argument seems to her— I am 43 we got along for a year, even —she points to Samuel— he is 42. How is age a problem?
— You shouldn't be sitting at this table either —says Leticia coldly— We should increase the entry age.
Verónica is outraged— I think it's an excellent idea. How about 60 years and a parent's signature?
— Have a little more respect —Leticia places her elbows on the table— the fact that we have the same position at this table does not make us equal, I am still older than you.
— For that alone should I respect you? —Verónica lets out a forced laugh— age is just a number, it doesn't reflect anything.
— I respect? Of you? It is already a merit that you know the word.
— Don't provoke me —Veronica gets up from her post.
Samuel looks excitedly at the confrontation.
— Enough! —I exclaim to bring the attention of the two of them— We are not here to discuss age, behave like civilized adults —The atmosphere is still tense— We will have a five-minute break to decide our vote.
Samuel returns to his seat and turns on the television— I'll stay here, make up your mind soon, I have more work to do.
The rest of us leave the meeting room, in the corridor there is a water dispenser, I take one of the glasses of Pluvit and fill it. Why can't we agree on everything?
— Are you thirsty too? —Leticia has a glass, to pour herself some water, I prefer to continue drinking water so as not to respond to her comment— sorry for my behavior, I know that adults like the two of us should not lower ourselves to his behavior —it is obvious that the matter makes her bitter— I can do it — he looks both ways to make sure no one comes— they seek to displace us.
— What makes you think that?
— Darling is more than visible —he points to the room where Samuel was watching TV— he does what he wants, and she does not seek more than to defy the rules, it is clear that they have no respect for us - now you can see more worried— God save me from what I'm going to say, maybe they are accomplices in Octavio's death.
My eyes widen like a plate, those are serious accusations— You have no evidence that this is so, you only say it to support you.
— If your support means not having to accuse your daughter of a terrorist, I will gladly change my vote on the announcement, after all, we have no evidence that links them to the incident.
I'm silent, I'm not sure what I should respond to.
— You do not need to answer now, I hope your support in the meeting - After saying that, he returns to the room.
I look at my glass of water, clearly Samuel will support for the union of Roberto Vindicta like Leticia Metum, only Verónica Caedes is supporting Rogelio Vindicta, I still have time to talk to Verónica, I look for her around, but I am not able to find her, when I go back to the room we bump into each other.
I urgently stop her— We need to talk about the vote. Why don't you want Roberto to be part of the table?
— Because he is a murderer —I am shocked that he uses such words— he helped with the preparations of the route of death.
A cold ran through my body— How are you so sure?
— Because my father also helped with those preparations —the shame overflows in his words, even decreasing her tone of voice— in his letters he left the names of those involved, he asked me to read them and to atone for his mistake.
— Those lives won't come back.
— But I can punish those responsible —he says with determination—only that if he enters our table it will be more difficult - he puts his hand on his arm - I do not ask you to vote in my favor for the time we know each other, but for the people we represent, we cannot empower a murderer.
I feel between a rock and a hard place, supporting Leticia means buying time to prove my daughter's innocence, but to side with Verónica is to stop the rise to power of an accomplice in one of the great massacres that this country has undergone.
Again I find myself before these two paths. My family or the country?