—Are you excited, my daughter? I hope you do well on your first day of work. You will learn a lot from Claudio. He is a great tax collector.
—Yes, I am. I can't wait to get to work because knitting and embroidery aren't as fun as they used to be. This work will serve me well although I think it's a little masculine.
—Again, with this? Can't you see that you hurt your father with these insinuations? He does everything for you.
—Excuse me, both of you. I'm a little stubborn with some ideas.
Christine finishes her breakfast, says goodbye with a kiss on the foreheads of her parents and walks to the door. She opens it and heads to the gas station. Along the way doubts assault her: Will this Claudio act like caveman? Will he respect her at work? She knew nothing about him except that he was Pereira's son and had two sisters: Fabiana and Patricia. She keeps walking and as soon as she approaches the gas station she feels even more anxious and nervous. She stops and breathes a little. She seeks inspiration in the universe, in nature and in her troubled heart. She remembers the lessons she learned in the convent, the nuns and their distinct way of seeing life. It was a three year period of spiritual gathering that seemed to have no meaning now. She was at the point of meeting new people, starting a new craft and who knows if this wouldn't change her way of seeing people and life. That's what she would find out as time went on. She continues to walk. A new force refreshes her and fills her being and gives her an extra push. She had to be brave as during the time she faced the Mother Superior of her convent and confessed the truth: That she was completely in love. They packed her bags, she was kicked out and at that point it felt as if they had taken a huge weight off of her back. She relocated from the capital and was now residing at the end of the world without friends and without any comforts. She would have to get used to it. A few minutes pass and she approaches the gas station. She is just a few feet away from it. She fixes her hair and clothes to make a good impression. She breathes in one last time, enters and introduces herself.
—I'm Christine Matias, daughter of Major Quintino. I'm looking for Claudio, the tax collector. Is he home?
—My son went to get a quick bite to eat at a restaurant here close by. I'll send for him. These are my daughters Fabiana and Patricia, and I am Mr. Pereira.
Christine greeted them with kisses on the cheek.
—So you are the famous Christine. I can't believe that I haven't even seen you yet. You stay inside a lot and that's not good. Well, from now on, we can be friends and hang out together. (Fabiana)
—It's a great pleasure to meet you. You, Fabiana and I will be great friends, you can count on it.
-Thank you. I'm also very happy to meet you. I don't go out much because my parents are controlling. They think a major's daughter has to be a bit reserved. They are overprotective.
-Well, that's going to change. Consider yourself part of our gang. We are the craziest kids on the block. (Fabiana)
—Our gang is great. You'll love being a part of it. (Patricia)
—Thanks for inviting me to be part of your group. I think a few relationships and friends won't hurt me.
The conversation continued in a lively manner for some time. Claudio quietly approaches and faces Christine. Their eyes lock and now like magic it seems as if only the two of them exist in the entire universe. The hearts of both hasten upon meeting and an internal heat travels through both bodies.
—My dad called me here. You mean you're the girl who will supervise me? Well, I guess I won't feel so uncomfortable.
The compliment left Christine a little shocked. She never found men so direct.
—My name is Christine; I am the daughter of the major. I'm your new partner at work. Can we begin? I'm looking forward to it.
—Yes, of course. My name is Claudio. We're just in time to start work. The first commercial establishment that we're going to visit today is the butcher shop. It has been three months that the owner hasn't paid taxes and we need to press him for it. I think your presence will help.
—Let's go, then. It was a pleasure to meet you, Fabiana and Patricia. See you later.
The two wave their hands in farewell. Claudio and Christine depart together toward the butcher shop. Christine's thoughts rise intimately and she feels like a fool for having idolized Claudio so much. He was nothing like she'd imagined but he had stirred something inside of her. The feeling that she had to get to know him was like nothing she'd ever experienced. What was it? She couldn't define it, but it was something strong and lasting. The two walk side by side and Claudio tries to start up a conversation.
—Christine, tell me a little about yourself. You are from Recife, right?
—No. I lived in Recife for ten years. Actually, I'm from Alagoas. My childhood was pretty much entirely spent there.
—Have you ever had a boyfriend?
—I had one but it was some time ago. I was going to be a nun. I spent three years of my life in a cloistered convent trying to find a meaning to my life. When I realized I had no vocation I left and I went back to my parents' house.
—It would be a great waste if you were a nun, with all due respect. Nothing against religion but the giving of one's self to God requires too much from a person.
—Well, that's all in the past. I have to focus on my new life and my duties.
The talk suddenly stops and the two continue to walk. The coming and going of people is constant in the downtown area. Mimoso had turned into a regional trade center after the implantation of the railroad. People came from all over the region to visit and shop in its shops. The butcher shop is nearby and Christine can barely contain herself. She didn't know how to act. After all, she was the daughter of the major and had to set an example. The job of tax collector would expose her a lot. Finally, they arrive and Claudio addresses Mr. Helio, the owner of the shop.
—Mr. Helio, we've come here to collect from you the three months of taxes that you owe. The city needs your contribution to invest in education, health and sanitation. Do your duty as a citizen.
—Haven't I told you I'm broke? Business here has not been good. I need an extension on paying you.
—I won't accept any more excuses and if you don't pay, you'll have problems. See this girl with me? She is the major's daughter. He is not satisfied with your defaults. The best thing to do, Sir, would be to pay your debts.
Helio thought for a moment about what to do. At a glance, he looks at Christine and convinces himself that she is the daughter of the major. He opens a drawer, takes out a wad of money and pays. Both thank him and withdraw from the establishment.
The morning is spent working. The two visit homes and businesses. Some taxpayers refuse to pay claiming lack of capital. Christine begins to admire Claudio for his professionalism and confidence. The morning passes and the day is over. The two say goodbye and that they would return to work together again in fifteen days.
The Picnic
The sun advances on the horizon and heats up even more as it's after noon. Movement decreases, farmers come in from the farm, the washerwomen arrive with their loads that they were washing in the Mimoso River, the civil servants are released, the lace-makers get a break at work and everyone can have lunch. Christine is no different from the others and also comes back home at this time. She arrives, opens the door and heads to the main kitchen. Her parents are already present and Gerusa is serving lunch.
—Pardon us for not waiting for you to serve lunch, my daughter, but I arrived tired and hungry because I was in a business meeting. Changing the subject, how was your first day of work? (Major)
—No need to apologize. My first day of work was long and tiring. Claudio and I struggled to convince the taxpayers to pay. However, some have become firm in their positions. Overall, it was a good day's work because I learned a lot. I'm just not sure I want to do this for the rest of my life.
—Tell Claudio that I want the details of those who did not pay. I am the major and I will not tolerate any more delays.
—Did you meet anyone, daughter? Make friends? (Helena)
—Yes, a few people. Claudio's sisters are quite nice.
Gerusa serves Christine and she begins to eat. She remained quiet during this time because she was brought up that way. Gerusa retired from the kitchen and headed to her quarters outside of the house. The three heads of the household remained, having their meals. Christine finishes her lunch, gets up from the table and says goodbye to her parents with kisses on their cheeks. She heads to the balcony of the house where it's well ventilated and cool so she can knit. She picks up her threads and starts knitting. The movement of her agile hands takes her to mysterious worlds where only the imagination can reach. She sees herself dating a man with strong, muscular shoulders, and a firm stance. She imagines her engagement and subsequent marriage. At that moment, an interior anguish punishes and distresses her. The moment passes and she sees herself as the mother of three beautiful children. In her imagination, time passes quickly and she sees herself as a grandmother and a great-grandmother. Death comes and she sees herself in paradise surrounded by angels and by our Lord, Jesus Christ. Her agile hands work and, for a moment, she acknowledges in the cloth that is she is knitting a familiar man's face. She shakes her head and the illusion passes. What was happening to her? Was she crazy, or even possibly in love? She didn't want to believe in this possibility. She keeps working until she hears her name pronounced with incredible intensity. She goes back to the entrance to the garden of her house from where she had heard the voice. She recognizes Fabiana, Patricia and Claudio accompanied by some other young people.
—May we come in, Christine?
—Yes, you may. Make yourselves at home.
There were exactly six young people who entered the garden of the house. They went up the stepladders that gave access to the balcony and met with Christine. Fabiana took care to make introductions of the unknown friends.
—This is my cousin Rafael and these are my friends Talita and Marcela.
Christine greeted them with kisses on the cheek.
—Nice to meet you. If you are Fabiana's friends then you are also friends of mine.
—The pleasure is all mine. Claudio spoke highly of you. (Rafael)
—Well, Christine, we came here to invite you on a nice walk to the top of the Ororubá Mountain. We're going to have a picnic outdoors. Contact with nature is essential for humans to evolve and free themselves from their karma. (Claudio)
—Would you like to go, Christine? You are inside a lot and that's not good. (Fabiana)
—We insist. (They all repeat)
—OK. I'll go. You have convinced me. Wait just a minute I'm going to tell my parents.
Christine enters the house for a moment but is soon back. She meets back up with the group and together they agree to make the trip to the mysterious mountain of Ororubá, the sacred mountain. The seven begin to walk. Christine watches Claudio and concludes that he is the typical rural man: Strong, confident and full of charm. The first day they worked together made a good impression but she still didn't know how she felt about him. She just knew it was a strong and lasting feeling. Well, the picnic was a chance to get to know him better, she thinks. The seven speed up and soon are at the foot of the mountain. Claudio, the leader of the group, stops and asks for everyone to do the same.
—It is important that we hydrate ourselves now so that we don't have problems later. The walk is long and exhaustive. (Claudio)
—I heard that this mountain is sacred and has magical properties. (Talita)
—It's true. Legend has it that a mysterious shaman gave his own life to save his people. From then on the mountain of Ororubá became sacred. They also say that a spirit ancestor named the guardian of the mountain guards all of its secrets. (Fabiana)
—That is not all. At its top is a majestic cave said to be able to fulfill any desire. Dreamers from all over the world seek it to obtain its miracles. However, as far as we know, no one has survived it. (Patricia)
—These stories make me nervous. Wouldn't it be better if we went back? (Christine)
—Don't worry, Christine. -They are just stories. Even if it were true, I would be here to protect you. (Claudio)
—Claudio is not the only one. I'm also a man and I'm willing to help you if you need it. (Rafael)
—What about me? No one's protecting me? I am also a damsel in distress. I'm hurt. (Marcela)
Rafael approaches Marcela and gives her a hug as a sign that she has nothing to fear. All drink water and start the walk. Christine advances a little further and puts herself next to Claudio, in front. She felt unsafe after hearing the information about the mountain. She thinks about the mountain, the guardian and the cave. Intimately she sees herself entering the cave and realizing her greatest wish at that moment. She was also a dreamer like so many who had lost their lives in the cave in search of their dreams. Well, it was necessary to keep her feet on the ground, in harsh reality she was the daughter of the major and this restricted her freedom of action quite a bit in relation to friends, loves and desires. Comparatively, she felt freer in the convent than now. Claudio gives a hand to Christine to help her on the way up because he can see she's struggling. Christine's mind races and she thinks it would be good to have a friend that would support and be loyal and honest to her, a friend such as Claudio. She shakes her head and tries to deviate from the thought. It was impossible because her father would not allow this kind of union. He was a simple tax collector and she was the daughter of a major. They lived in completely different worlds. The group stops once again in order to refresh themselves again. The heat is strong and there is little wind. They were halfway there.
—From here it is possible to see a good part of Mimoso. Do you see, Christine? There's your house. (Claudio)
—The view from here is really privileged. I think the top is even more stunning. The sierra of Mimoso doesn't even look big from this view. (Christine)
—I think it best we keep going. It makes no sense to stay up here for a long time. (Fabiana)
—I also agree. This way we can take longer at the top which is the most important part of the mountain. (Rafael)
Most agree on continuing the walk. After all it was past 1:00 PM Christine already felt a bit tired. Climbing a mountain is extremely exhausting for anyone who's not used to doing so. She remembers the constant challenges that she was submitted to at the convent but none of it was similar to ascending a mountain that everybody had said was sacred. She gathers strength in the depths of her soul and tries very hard so that no one notices her difficulty. Claudio smiles at her and that fills her with strength because for him she would surpass any obstacle. Love, this strange power, has linked the two even without any physical contact. For him, if she had the chance, she would face the guardian and enter the cave to realize her dream of joining him throughout the time they had to be together in life. Even if it cost her her life. After all, what meaning does life have if we're not with those who we really love? An empty life is similar to no life at all. The group advances further and approaches the top. Claudio tries to disguise it but he is fully attracted by the beauty and grace of Christine. From the moment they met something changed in his very being. He couldn't eat right or even do anything without thinking about her. He thinks about how conducive her family's move from Pesqueira to the thriving village of Mimoso was. He thinks about how destiny was generous to have reunited the two practically in the same job. The picnic would be a great opportunity to maybe woo the girl. He had hopes of being accepted in spite of the disparities between them. The difficulties, mainly her prejudiced parents, were obstacles that could be overcome. Eventually the group reaches the top and all celebrate. Now all that was left was to find a good place to picnic. The members of the group divide up into three smaller groups to find the most appropriate place. A few minutes go by and one of the groups gives a signal, whistling. The place was chosen. The whole group gathers again and the picnic is set up. Each member of the group
contributed with something for the banquet.
—Do you feel it, Christine? The singing of the birds, the light whisper of the wind, the rural atmosphere, the buzz of insects, all this leads us to places and planes never before visited. Every time I come here I feel like an important part of nature and not like I own it, as some think. (Claudio)
—It's very pretty. Here, in nature, I feel like an ordinary human being and not the daughter of a major and you can't imagine how good this feels. (Christine)
—Enjoy it, Christine. It's not every day you can do that. Prejudice, fear, shame, all this disrupts our day-to-day. Here we can forget that, at least for a moment. (Fabiana)
—In this wild green yonder we can feel, see and fully understand the universe. This miracle happens because the mountain is sacred and has magical properties. (Talita)
—I also want to state my opinion. We are seven young people who seek what? I will answer myself. We seek adventures, new experiences, friendships and even love. However, this is only possible if we are at peace with ourselves, with others and with the universe. It is this longed-for peace we've found here. (Rafael)
Opposing Forces Page 9