by Arthur Rawl
This morning the air was still enjoyably crisp because of the early hour so I took the table on the sidewalk under my tree. As I sat down a dark sedan with its front seat filled by two clones of the one who followed me down the hill and was now talking to the waitress two tables away. How could I ignore them? I felt more like someone staked out by Indians in a John Wayne movie than someone sitting down for a quiet breakfast and his morning paper. Three quarters of an hour later I was happy to see Jóse double park next to where I was sitting. I paid my bill and escaped into the front seat, “Good morning. The office please Jóse.”
“Good morning. You are early today Senhor. “I was surprised when BrasTel called to tell me you were here.”
“I am certainly very early. The husband and wife next door had a very loud disagreement and it was impossible to go back to sleep. Thankfully I went to bed early last night so I had the better part of a night’s sleep before they started screaming at each other.”
The phone was ringing when I walked through the office door convincing me the day would continue as it had started, “Hello”.
“Good morning, is this Mr. Matthews?”
“Yes?”
“Doña Aranni would like to speak with you. Please wait a moment.”
“Good morning my son.”
“Good morning Doña Aranni. How are you today?”
“Everything is wonderful. You are well.”
“Very well thank you. How may I help you?”
“I wanted you to know my husband’s helicopter landed a few minutes ago. It left from Rio and made the trip in only twenty minutes. I remember when I had to go to Rio by auto. It took hours not minutes. The roads … the traffic, it was terrible. But that is not why I called. My man was on the helicopter and he has brought the ring with him. I felt it would be wrong for me to see it before my daughter so he has been instructed to bring it directly to you. I have had building security informed he is coming in less than thirty minutes.”
“That’s wonderful. I see the Master Jeweler is not only an artist but he also understands the importance of time. I am anxious to see it. I have been wondering what it would look like since we left Rio.”
“To be frank, so have I. He has made me many pieces but none so important. She is my only daughter and she must have only the best.”
“I agree with you. She deserves only the best.”
“Please do something for me my son. Call to tell me how the ring is. Tell me if it is all you wanted for her. My man has been instructed to give you my private telephone number.”
“I will be happy to call.
“Thank you so much. I will be home before lunch time. Perhaps you could call at fifteen minutes before one.”
“I will do that and, if Alana is in her office today, I will arrange for her to model it for you tonight.”
A small chuckle followed by, “I will look forward to it.”
I put the phone down and walked to my office. After putting my case on the desk I continued to the window to look down into the garden below. Maybe there was some sanity in this place. Doña Aranni sounded like Shelly’s mother when she found out her only daughter and I were to be engaged. Both happy, a little giddy and happy as only mothers can be.
Below the long shadows of early morning created startling contrasts among the bushes and plants below. Some seemed to rise up ready to march along the garden’s pathways. Others faded into shadow so deep they appeared to disappear. Together the entire garden freed from its roots took motion driven by the slightest of morning breezes. Light and dark played hypnotically with my senses returning me to the misty mountain garden Alana and I shared. Peaceful, a paradise existing in another time. We had to return there. It seemed the only place we could once again start building our future. A future free from the corrosive uncertainty we created in the past …
“Good morning boss … good morning; too early; did you go back to sleep?”
“No Robin, I was just trying to sort something out. Good morning.”
Then the phone rang, Robin went to answer and quickly returned, “Security says there are two government officials downstairs. They want to come up to see us. Is it alright?”
“What do they want with us? Tell security to wait five minutes. Then get Alana on the phone and ask her to come upstairs immediately.”
Seconds passed then minutes passed and finally Alana came through the door cool and collected in a dark blue suit. She said she was expecting something like this. She said not to worry and I should introduce her as the lawyer who filed the application for your company to conduct business in Brazil. The usual procedure at the end of the application process is for the Ministry of Commerce to send a field officer to meet the foreign business people and inspect the location. She also said she expected this to happen several weeks ago.
The two ‘officials’ dressed in ill-fitting, shiny blue polyester suits arrived right after Alana accompanied by a building security guard. Robin quickly determined only one them spoke enough English for basics. She thanked the guard and took our ‘guests’ to the conference room. Then, following Brazilian custom, she asked José Carlos bring them coffee and a small plate of biscuits.
When Alana, Robin and I entered the conference room both men stood up waiting for one of us to say something so I did, “Gentlemen, good morning. My name is Carlton Matthews, this is my Partner Robin Stephens and this is Alana Luz, the lawyer who prepared the application for us. How can we be of service to you?”
They remained standing until we had taken seats. “Good morning Mr. Matthews. I am Franklin Rodrigues for the Ministry of Commerce. With me is Emanuel Gossen for the Ministry of Justice. We are here with two purposes. Before we start we would like to have the passports of Mr. Matthews and Miss Stephens for identification. Is it possible?”
“Yes, it is possible. Robin, would you please get our passports from the safe?”
After a few moments filled with awkward silence Robin put our passports in front of Rodrigues and returned to her seat. Without touching the passports, he slid a thick brown envelope across the table to Alana, “First we present you with your business license. There are two copies signed by the Minister and now your signatures are required. Mr. Gossen will notarize your signatures and one copy will remain with you. The other is for the Ministry files. Will you sign them please?”
As I reached for the document our passports were given to Gossen who started flipping through them. Alana looked the licenses over, nodded and passed them to me. After signing I passed them to Robin while at the same time Gossen said something to Rodrigues and both rose and walked to the far end of the room for what was a short, animated conversation. Alana listening to the discussion at the other end of the room held up her hand to me and said, “Patience please. There is something that needs to be done with your passports.”
The phone started ringing, “Robin would you get that please.”
“It’s security downstairs. There is a small package for you. A Military Policeman has it and needs to give it to you in person. Should I go get him or do you want to go downstairs?”
“I should stay here with these gentlemen. Bring him up please.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Five minutes later Robin was back and our two guests were still in conference at the other end of the room. “Alana, could you tell them I have to step out for a short while.”
She did and the two in the corner appeared to relax a little after asking Alana if they could use a telephone while I was attending to whatever needed my attention. They were given the room and the phone in it for as long as they needed.
When I went into my office and immediately recognized the bodyguard who had occupied the seat next to the driver when Doña Aranni and I were in Rio. He took a step toward me, his face seeming to be locked in some sort of struggle. He held out the small package, “Doña Aranni … has sent it … to you.”, His struggle with English over he broke out in a wide grin.
“Abrigado
Senhor, thank you.”
With a nod to me, he hurried out the door like a school boy who had completed his examination. I put the small box in my desk and went out to where Alana and Robin were talking.
Alana turned to me with a curious look, “What was that about?”
“I don’t know. Doña Aranni sent something. I’ll open it after we get rid of our visitors. Robin knock on the door and see if they are finished.”
“They’re sitting again and wearing their forced regulator smiles.”
We took the same seats as before waiting for their news. Rodrigues took the lead, “Mr. Matthews I will start by saying both your business license and your passports are in order. Both of our Ministries understand you have been visiting Brasil to only advise your European client on an investment, that investment has been completed and a large amount of money has come to Brasil through the Central Bank. Your visas have served their intended purposes while you were the ‘representative of the foreign investor’. They are not correct for work under your business license. You will have to change them.”
“We will be happy to make whatever changes are required.”
“I understand but the requirements of the change are complicated. The Business visa necessary can only be issued outside of Brasil. We have talked with our Ministries and the law does not provide another way. You must leave Brasil and remain out for no less than thirty days. If you will tell us what Consulate you will submit your new visa application to after 30 days, the Ministry of Commerce will send the Consular officials everything necessary to make the process as quick as possible.”
“There is no way the change can be made here?”
“Unfortunately there is none and the Ministry of Justice does not want to set an example.”
“How long do we have to complete whatever is necessary here in Brazil?”
Rodrigues carefully arranged his face into a practice stern countenance, “In the usual case I would have called the Military Police to take custody of the illegal person and they would make sure he left at once.” He paused to allow the sound of his words to linger, “But, in recognition of the service you have rendered to the People of Brasil the Minister has granted you one week to leave the country and please understand there can be no extensions.”
“Mr. Rodrigues you should know last week we started to prepare to leave Brazil. We are about finished reviewing our files to be sure anything that may be needed in Brazil will not leave the country. The remaining files will be packed for shipment to our London Headquarters. This may take no more than another few days. Beyond that we have some courtesy visits to thank certain people who helped our Austrian client. Therefore, you may insure the Minister Miss Stephens and I will leave Brazil before one week is up.”
“I will be very happy to carry your message to my superiors Mr. Matthews.”
“Also, I am quite sure Miss Stephens and I will submit the applications for our new Visas in New York City so if you would be kind enough to notify the Consulate of the Ministry’s position regarding our applications.”
“I will be sure it is done. I will also have the applications and instructions delivered to you here in the next few days. Now if you will excuse us we must go to our next appointment.”
“Thank you for our license and the guidance regarding our Visas.”
“No, thank you. We do not get cooperation from many business guests when we tell them something they may not want to hear. They forget Brasil is a great and powerful country.”
“It certainly is and we look forward to returning. We have many new friends here.”
Rodrigues broke out in a wide smile, “Até logo Senhor”.
I watched them leave and then told Alana I hoped not to see them again later or ever.
“What about your package? Are you going to open it?”
“It can wait, I am hungry. My driver’s family owns a small and rather modest place near here. Do you feel like slumming?”
“Slumming … what is slumming?”
“Eating with the workers.”
“I will be very happy to go. Some of those places have the best food in the city. Give me five minutes and I will meet you in the garage.”
Alana hurried out the door and Robin started laughing, “You finessed that one boss. We both know what’s in the package. By the way, I really didn’t like the sound of a military escort to the airplane … accidents happen.”
“Forget the police. Regarding the package, the office is not the place to give it to her. We have a dinner planned for Saturday and before you ask I will not say where.”
“I want to see it.”
“Later … maybe.”
Saturday came and the box was in my apartment safe unopened and Robin had another reason to be unhappy with me. For the balance of Thursday and all day Friday she kept reminding me of the box and I kept ignoring her. Finally, early Saturday afternoon when we finished sorting the files into piles labelled Brazil, London or shredding so Alana’s staff could attend to them I told Robin I wanted Alana to be the first to see the ring. Surprisingly, with a disappointed look she said it sounded like the right thing to do.
Now, ten minutes before José was to pick me up, I was sitting holding the unpacked but unopened ring box wondering whether I should take a look. But, a look would lead to an opinion and the opinion would lead to worry. No, Alana would be the first to see it and her reaction would be all I need.
Alana and her aunt came into the restaurant arm in arm, both smiling as if they had just shared a silly private story. I tried out my newly learned, well-rehearsed Portuguese greeting José Carlos assured me was appropriate for an old maiden aunt. My reward was a raised eyebrow and a wider smile from the aunt and a low throaty chuckle from Alana.
“You have been practicing your Portuguese.”
“Yes, just a little for special occasions.”
Alana and her aunt were seated in a corner banquet and I took the chair opposite them with a small table between us to create the ‘proper’ distance separating Alana and I. Her aunt whispered something and Alana had to work to keep from laughing. “She said you are a well-behaved gentleman.”
I nodded to her aunt, “Obrigado Senhora.”
Alana leaned toward me with a conspiratorial look, “I believe we have some secrets to share tonight. You go first.”
“If you insist,” and I took the ring box from my pocket and placed it on the table in front of her. “Open it and you will find my secret.”
Alana wrapped both hands around the small velvet box and now looking very serious, “I will tell you my secret first and then if you still want me to I will open the box.”
“Nothing could change my mind Alana.”
“I know that you think that now but my secret is very big and will have a serious impact on both of us.”
“Nothing can be so big that it could change how I feel.”
“You know me as Alana Luz but I have another name.” Uncertainty marking her voice for the first time since I have known her, “My whole name is Alana Luz Aranni. My Guardian and Donã Aranni adopted me now ten years past. They said it should remain a secret for my protection and theirs and remain a secret until the death of father, General Aranni.” Her hand tightened around the small box and the color drained from her face, “There is more, he has made me his legal heir and estate trustee for his other children and grandchildren. He explained this would create danger for me and anyone close to me. Do you understand?”
I sat looking at her trying to find words, an answer, “Querida, I assumed there was a reason why he prepared and educated you so well, so far beyond simply caring for you would justify. I know about the strained relationship between General Aranni and his sons. What you tell me does not come as a surprise but as confirmation of what I believed might exist. Yes, hearing it spoken changes theory to reality. It is a reality we will share and when necessary we will be strong for each other. It is a reality that changes nothing between us and never will.”
/> The color returned to her cheeks, a sparkle now in her eyes, “I will open your secret now.” She brought the box up to eye level like a little girl and lifted the lid just slightly, and then quickly wide open, “Oh, I have never seen anything so beautiful!”
I took the box from her, “Please let me put it on your finger.” She held out her hand and I put mine underneath barely touching her … she was trembling, trembling until I slid the ring on her finger. “Querida, you and I belong to each other now and forever. I love you …”
Her aunt had been craning her neck trying to see the ring. Her patience at its limit, she reached out and took Alana’s hand and brought it to her, broke out in a wide smile and whispered ‘magnifico’. She pulled Alana closer and kissed her cheek … a rare public display from a woman of her station.
The waiter hurried over with three glasses and the bottle of his best French Champagne I ordered when making the reservation. He poured and I offered a toast, “To our long and happy life together.” Alana translated for her aunt, for tradition and good luck we all touched glasses then happily and perhaps innocently drank to our future.
Robin was pacing impatiently when I got to the office Monday morning. “Is she coming up or do I have to go downstairs.”
“I do not know whether she is coming to the office today … get the phone please.”
“Damn the phone … ah, I’ll get it.” She marched out of my office and seemed to be back in just a second or two, “We women understand each other. She will be here in fifteen minutes.”
“Good, I look forward to seeing her … and her dear aunt. Did you arrange our tickets for Wednesday?”
“Yes, we’re on the overnight Continental flight to Newark. We leave at nine and with the time change we get in at about eight. We have two business class seats near the front on the left side, the one you prefer. I also called Rodrigues and the Ministry and left him a message about our tickets and when we would be leaving.”