We are back to the plastic strap chairs. Beatriz looked towards her grandfather, who had been silent for a few minutes, and when she understood that her grandfather would not say anything else, she complained:
"Grandmother! I didn't understand anything! What does this story have to do with the flower?"
"Wow... It has everything to do with it! My brother's house was located here on this land, and the Fairy performs the same ritual every year. She weeps over the rosebush, mourning the love she has lost. And it's her tears that make the flower bloom."
"Such bizarre! Is this true?"
"Of course, it's! Every year, on the same day, this happens. You are not seeing the flower there. By midnight, that flower will be gone, that's for sure!"
"I doubt it!"
"Well, wait and see."
Beatriz shook her head in denial. Dragging her foot, she was almost at the threshold between the veranda and the living room when she turned and asked:
"And what happened to Uncle Hector?"
After a short sigh, Grandpa Antonio replied:
"Nobody knows. He was never seen again."
The granddaughter displayed a disappointed face.
"I thought of something just now." said the grandfather. "We could give a name for this flower."
"A name?"
"Yeah... What do you think of 'The Lament of the Fairy'?"
Beatriz thought for a while.
"I liked that name, but I didn't like the story. It's very sad!"
"That's what I think too."
"Oh yes! I ended up forgetting that I wanted a picture of this flower."
"I doubt you'll make it. This flower is not common. I've tried it before."
"Oh, but I'll try anyway!"
Beatriz went in, and Grandpa Antonio still stayed on the veranda, watching the petals begin to fall.
~ The end ~