Chapter 5 Be Good And Kind I

• BE GOOD AND KIND
• Now I understood why Andress didn't come to see me. And also because Mabel didn't want to hear any news. Or even my grandfather. Everything was becoming very clear. It seemed to be a plan... To get everyone out of the way.
• But... For what purpose?
• I immediately went downstairs, feeling disgusted, ashamed, angry at myself for not having seen what had been in front of me the entire time.
• Fernanda still in the same place, waiting for me.
• - Madam... I... I'm sorry.
• - How long has it been since Mabel left this house? – I asked seriously while wiping my tears.
• - Seven months.
• - And when Ashley took my place?
• - A few... Weeks... After you went into a coma.
• - How many weeks exactly?
• Fernanda lowered her gaze, fearful.
• - Please, Fernanda. I need to know.
• - A week, ma'am.
• - I need a favor. – Ask.
• - Anything, ma'am.
• - Don't tell Andress I was here, please.
• - I won't tell.
• - Is Ashley living here?
• - She... Brought some things. And he spends most of his time in this house with Mr. Andress. They... They even traveled together. But I don't think I've brought all my belongings yet.
• - They must be waiting for me to die so that she can actually come and take over everything that is mine. – I looked into space.
• - I'm sorry, ma'am. I tried to keep you from seeing all this.
• - Don't say anything to anyone. I... I need to think about what I'm going to do.
• - Does that mean you won't stay at your house?
• - No... Not now. I'll go to... My other home. There... I'll think better... I'm very confused... – I put my hands on my temples, tired.
• - Can I help you with anything, ma'am?
• - Yes, you can... – I looked at her – Call a taxi. And ask me to pick me up at the portico, please.
• - Yes, I will do that. Will you... walk there?
• - Yes. – I confirmed.
• I left and closed the door, walking along the deserted street of the condominium towards the entrance portico. The night was beautiful for a walk and I remembered that I used to do that a lot... Alone, because Andress was never with me.
• I had no bad memories of the two of us. So why had Andress acted that way, like I'd never meant anything to him?
• And Ashley? She was my best friend! And what happened to Kayde? He was crazy about his bride.
• I arrived at the portico and passed through the large gates of the luxurious condominium, boarding the taxi.
• - Where to, ma'am? – The driver asked.
• I had no trouble remembering the address and saying where I wanted to go.
• SIXTEEN YEARS BEFORE...
• I would never forget the moment when the taxi door opened and mom got out of the car with me, holding my hand affectionately.
• I observed the gate with white iron bars so high that it looked like the golden tips would touch the sky. The irons were bent in its central region, forming a letter H, with the lock part being exactly in the middle of the horizontal part of the letter.
• The walls that spread to each side of the gate, seeming to have no end. I looked carefully at everything and asked, scared:
• - Is this an orphanage, mommy? Or a prison?
• She smiled affectionately and crouched down, her face level with mine:
• - No, Maria! This is all the property of the Hausers... And also yours.
• - Is there a house in there? – I asked, uncertainly, looking at the winding stone path that existed between the tall, skinny trees.
• - Yes, it has a gigantic house. And you will have a room of your own.
• - Why are there only leaves on the tops of these trees? – I was confused looking at the branches just at the end of the trunks.
• Mom laughed:
• - They are “slender”, aren’t they?
• I nodded.
• She arranged my long hair behind my ears, then running her hands from the roots to the end of the strands, which reached waist height.
• - Never forget that I love you, okay?
• I felt like crying, but I stopped myself:
• - Then why do I have to stay here, mom? Why don't you come with me?
• - I can't, my love. And one day you will understand this... I swear. I just want you to understand that everything I'm doing is for your good. In the future maybe you'll thank me... Or hate me forever. Still, I will forever try to convince myself that it was for your good.
• I looked down, trying to be strong and imagining that when she left, it would be very difficult to hold back the tears.
• Mom showered me with kisses on the cheek and then pressed me against her chest:
• - Remember what I told you... Be gentle and kind.
• - I will.
• - No matter how badly people treat you, give them the best you have.
• - My kindness and gentleness. – I repeated what she practically told me every day.
• - Make your grandfather understand that the fact that you are poor does not mean that you are not honest and intelligent. Make this family very proud... And win them over. Your heart is pure and true and I know you will never meet someone like that, my love. Because they don't know what love, affection or even gratitude means. Can you do this for Mom?
• - Yes I Can.
• - You were born for this, Maria... To show the Hausers that money isn't everything. And it was for this reason that I raised her away from them, my dear... Even though I knew that one day they would claim what they believe to be their property. But I want you to understand that you are free! And no matter what happens, I will always be your mother.
• - I... Can... Not stay? - I tried.
• She smiled sadly:
• - I spent 9 years preparing you for this moment, Maria.
• - But can't we give up, mom?
• - Unfortunately not, my love.
• - But... I'll never see her again?
• - Maybe not... For a long time. But I really believe in God. And I bet one day he will promote our meeting again. I just hope, from the bottom of my heart, that when that day comes, you still love me. And understand that everything, absolutely everything I did, was for your good.
• - I will always love you, mom.
• She touched the tip of my nose with her finger and smiled:
• - Who has the most beautiful nose in the world?
• - I smiled.
• - And the eyes?
• - I...
• - And... The belly? – It tickled me.
• - I... – I laughed.
• Every day she did that to me before bed. And I couldn't fall asleep without my mother tickling me and playing that game I've always known.