That night at home, Denise had put on nicer clothes and made an apple pie. Lúcia had told her about the conversation she had had earlier with Saulo, which made her more hopeful as she waited for him.

Joaquim was sitting on the curb in front of the house, watching the few people who passed along the street. Then a familiar car parked in front of his home. Saulo stepped out, well-dressed in a white shirt and black dress pants, matching the color of his shoes. His blond hair was slicked back, and