Make-Believe Marriage by Dill Ferreira Page B

running through my veins - Amanda confided. - You do
not know how hard it is to experience a situation like this, and in addition
know that Breno decided to stop me on the streets to make threats? - She
finished speaking making Carol look at her with a critical eye.
    - I did not! Did you tell
me about it? - complained the girl.
    - I guess not. I did not
want to bother you with more problems. - Amanda looked at her friend who
criticized her severely with the eyes. - You have given me a lot of crazy
advice, so I preferred not to talk about it. - Amanda wanted to justify.
    - My God! Since when
having fun and loving someone is crazy? I know he is the right man for you,
besides you get along better than many couples I know. - The girl really said excited.
    - He's the right man for
any woman; however, we are just friends . Please, understand! - Amanda
pleaded knowing that if she kept hearing that kind of talk, she would be
convinced and she could not afford it. The two had been friends for so long
that she could not risk that valuable achievement.
    - I hope you do not find
out too late that this is the man you have been looking for. - Carol's argument
stirred Amanda.
    - If he finds a good woman
I'll be very happy, he deserves it - she said.
    - If you find you're in
love I bet you won’t be happy to see him with another woman - Carol replied.
    - I said there is no such
possibility Carol. My friendship with him goes beyond carnal desire, it is much
more than that. - Amanda tried to explain.
    - Listen well, Amanda,
being with him this friendship has a chance to remain beautiful, but think
about it! If he finds another woman, do you believe it will be the same thing
between you, never! No woman will let this friendship continue as it is. In the
first meeting between the three of you, she will notice how he looks at you and
will do everything she can to drive you apart. I'd do it without a blink, no
matter how little. - Carol said.
    - You are creating
illusions. He does not look at me differently; it is you who are seeing malice
in people without them acting that way - censored Amanda. The girl did not have
time to protest; a customer came into the store ending the conversation.
    Amanda and Antônio were
waiting at the school gate when a skinny kid came toward them.
    - Hi Tony! - said the
child getting into the car after kissing his mother's face.
    - How are you big boy? You
seem to have grown taller. If you go on that way, soon you won’t fit in the
car. - The boy smiled happily bringing enormous peace to Amanda’s heart that
was increasingly convinced of the importance of Antônio in his life.
    Along the way several
times she could see the curiosity of her child grow. In the new house he would
have more room and comfort for her child’s playful life. Although she knew that
Lucas would have a best childhood if he lived in a house, for security reasons,
she had always chosen to live in apartments, especially after the separation
and this caused some limitations to the little guy that was certainly eager to find
a new location where he could develop.
    - We are here! - said
Amanda turning to see the child's reaction.
    - It is so big mom! - He
spoke getting out of the car onto the sidewalk. - It has a huge garden. I’ll
get to play there with my friends.
    - It was exactly what I
thought by leaving this large recreational area. - The comment pleased mother
and child. It pleased the boy because he knew he could use the area for his
amusement and the mother for Antônio’s desire to please her son.
    - Thank you for thinking
of my son. - She thanked when they were going in.
    - My pleasure, dear - said
Antônio hugging her. - Amanda did not mind because her son needed to see some
demonstrations of affection between the two that would do great to his
development.
    They showed him all the
rooms, leaving the boy's room for last. They knew that the child was not giving
a damn what he saw. His attention was focused on something that would come.