Meanwhile, in the United States, Eloá buries herself in her studies as if that is her only mission in the world. Every time her mind insists on drifting back to Vila São Caetano—or worse, to Henri—she picks up another economics book. That’s how she copes: keeping her mind occupied until her heart is empty. And between readings and notes, the months begin to pass.

Every week, she sets aside a little time to talk to her family. She speaks with her father, her mother, and of course Elisa, whom she