Opposing Forces

by aldivan teixeira torres

  Delegate Pompeu shook his head and called his two officers to start arresting the victims. The major is satisfied because his demands are being met. This would be the first of many arbitrary acts that he would take as the greatest political authority figure in the region.

  Mass

  It was a beautiful Sunday morning. The chapel bells chimed announcing the Sunday mass. In the vestry, Father Chiavaretto is preparing for another celebration. Chiavaretto was the official priest of Mimoso. Originally from Venice, Italy, the son of a middle-class family, he had been ordained in 1890. His priestly activity started in his native land in the same year of his ordination and lasted until 1908. This year, by determination of the Bishop of Venice he was officially transferred to Brazil. His mission was to spread the Gospel and to catechize those who still persisted in paganism. In two years of hard work he had achieved progress in the small village. However, one of the goals to be achieved was to get greater numbers at mass. In the beginning, when he arrived in the village, the presence of the population at mass was larger. Over time, people lost enthusiasm simply because the mass carried out by Chiavaretto was entirely in Latin. It was an official determination of the Church at that time.

  Before starting the celebration, the priest takes a brief moment of reflection. The time in Venice came to his mind and he remembered the fate of each of his brothers and sisters. One of them decided to be a soldier in the army and left to create an integrated front of peace in other country. He had always had a tendency to protect the other children. One sister left to become a nun and another married and had four children. The two followed opposite paths in their lives but neither forgot the other or stopped being friends. Both lived in Venice, Italy. He became a priest but not by choice but by a sign of fate. He was called by Jesus. The happenings that made him decide to become a priest were as follows: When he was a child, he was playing quietly with one of his friends on a bridge that sits exactly over a river. The game they were playing was tag. Excited over the game, he climbed through the railing of the bridge to get away from his opponent. His legs trembled, he got dizzy and taking a false step he fell exactly into the river. The current was strong as the river was fully flooded. Chiavaretto tried to swim but he had no experience in the water. Gradually he was sinking and his friend just watched because he didn't know how to swim either. At that moment there were no adults around. Little by little, Chiavaretto was losing strength and also consciousness. When he felt he was near his end, he called out the holy name of Jesus. Quickly, he felt a powerful hand holding him and a voice saying:

  —Pedro, fear not!

  That was his name: Pedro Chiavaretto. The mighty hand lifted him up and out of the water. When he was saved, at the river bank, the mysterious man disappeared. From that day on, Pedro Chiavaretto devoted himself solely to religion and became a priest. This experience was his secret, he didn't tell anyone.

  The brief moment of reflection passes and the priest heads to the altar. He looks at the congregation and verifies that it is the same exact lineup of people as always: The rich and powerful, sitting in the best pews and the less fortunate in the others. This type of division distressed him because it was exactly the opposite of what he learned at the seminary. People are equal before God and have the same importance. What distinguishes human beings and makes them special are their talents, charisma and other qualities. Even so, he could not do anything. With the proclamation of the Republic and the Constitution of 1891 there was an official separation of church and state. Brazil became, from that moment on, a constituent country with no official religion. The church lost much of its power and privileges too. With that, the Group of Colonels (reigning in the northeast) were supreme in their decisions, decisions that the church couldn't go against.

  The priest starts the celebration and the only ones who really pay attention to his words are the devout Christine and Helena, as both know Latin. The others went to church just to look at the clothes and styles of the others and to gossip. They had no idea of the true meaning of mass. The priest speaks about forgiveness and about the fact that we must be attentive to the signs coming from our hearts. He says that this is the best compass for lost travelers. The mass continues and reaches the moment of communion. When the priest turns bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, Christine seems to see Claudio at that altar, next to the Father. She shakes her head and the vision disappears. It was the second time that something like this happened to her. The first time it happened she was knitting on the porch of her home. What was happening to her? Her thoughts wouldn't even respect mass. Christine resolves not to take communion because she wasn't prepared and did not feel totally pure to take part in it. Helen does. The celebration continues and Christine tries to focus on the priest's sermon. She pays attention to every word uttered by him. At that moment, finally she is able to forget Claudio a little and forget the wonderful picnic. She almost gave herself to him on the mountain. A fear of judgment and of her father held her back. The priest gives the final benediction and Christine feels more alleviated. She wouldn't have to worry about holding back her thoughts anymore.

  Reflections

  Christine, along with her parents, abandon the dependencies of the small chapel of St. Sebastian. The major says goodbye to them and goes to take care of business in the building of the Residents Association. The two return home. Along the way, Christine begins to reflect on the sermon heard just a moment ago from the priest. Had she received forgiveness from her mother after leaving the convent? Had she been forgiven? The answer to both questions is no. Her mother, disappointed after her exit from the convent, was never again the same mother who she had learned to love and respect. She was no longer loving or showed her any kind of caring emotion as before. Her mother was no longer her friend, only a companion. Time and again, she spoke of the convent and commented how she would be so happy if she had a daughter who was a nun. She still fed her own hopes that Christine would go back there. As for her own fate, Christine still harbored doubts. She was sure about the feelings he had for Claudio but was afraid to surrender totally to this passion and end up hurt.

  Christine had learned, at the convent, that men had many sides to them and could not be trusted. As for the fact of following her heart, she had refused to listen to it in the most crucial moments of her life. She didn't listen when it said not to get involved with the son of the gardener in the convent. Once expelled, he abandoned her without explanation. She also didn't listen to it when it asked her to give in to Claudio, on the mountain. Instead, she preferred to obey social conventions and fear. Both times she refused to listen to her heart, she was hindered. Christine makes a pact with herself and accepts to listen to it on the next opportunity. Father Chiavaretto's mass had proven helpful.

  Sucavão

  It was a calm Tuesday morning. The day before, a torrential rain had filled the rivers and streams. The place was bustling with many bathers from all over the region having fun in the Mimoso River. Meanwhile, the group of young friends, headed by Claudio was on their way to Christine's residence. They would ask her to go on another special trip. They arrive at the residence and clap their hands to be heard. Gerusa, the maid of the house, answers the door.

  —What do you want?

  —We're here to talk to Christine. Is she home?

  —She is. Wait a moment. I'll call her.

  A few moments later, Christine appears smiling and ready to talk to them.

  —Gerusa told me that you guys wanted to talk to me. What about?

  Claudio, the leader of the group, spoke up.

  —We're here to invite you to go on an interesting trip with us. With yesterday's rain, the rivers and streams of the region overflowed. The entire town is enjoying it. At the Frexeira Velha farm, near here, there is a very special place we want to show you. What do you say?

  —If you promise there won't be any surprises like there was that time at the picnic, I'll go. (Christine)

  —There won't be. Yo
u will be delighted with the place. (Fabiana)

  —We promise to show you a very special morning. (Rafael)

  The other members of the group also encourage Christine to accept and she ends up agreeing. After all, she wasn't doing anything important at that moment. Going out a little would help her to better reflect on some ideas. With Christine's consent, the group started walking towards a destination that she ignored. Claudio offered her his arm and she accepted, following the instincts of her heart. She had learned this from the priest. Physical contact made Christine dive into parallel universes far beyond the imagination of an ordinary human being. In these places, there was no space for anyone except for her and her beloved. She was married with at least seven children, all from Claudio. Her prejudiced and morally unstable parents lacked the power to affect her in her own imagination. If the mountain of Ororubá were really sacred, it would proceed with their request and make these plans a reality. Although this was almost impossible for two reasons. First, because she was the daughter of a mother who still harbored hopes of her becoming a nun. Second, she had a father who projected a future for her (in his opinion a happy one), by marrying her to someone from her own social level. In addition, both were extremely prejudiced.

  The group stops a little so that everyone can rehydrate. Claudio wouldn't let go of Christine's arm for a moment. In his mind, Christine would only be his, seeing as how they were interlinked. From the moment he met her, his life changed. He began to give less importance to drinking and smoking. He practically stopped doing so. His friends also noticed changes. He had become a more charismatic and cheerful man. He did not complain anymore about work or bills. He became illuminated by God's love. For Christine, he was willing to do anything: To face the dreaded Major and his wife; to face public opinion; to face God and the world if necessary. He was getting to know true love, unlike other times he had dated.

  The group accelerates their pace and in about ten minutes they reach the Frexeira Velha farm. They turn to the right and walk a few more feet as a shortcut took them to the brink of a railroad. They finally arrive at their destination and Christine is amazed. It faces a natural pool carved in stone and that is overlooking a small stream.

  —So this is what you wanted to show me. It is sensational!

  —We knew you'd like it. It is a great place to relax a little. It's called Sucavão. (Claudio)

  They all run to this small wonder of nature. Claudio moves away a little from Christine and starts to jump around crazily in the water. He dives and stays submerged for a few seconds. Christine gets worried and starts looking for him throughout the pool. When she least expects it, two strong arms hold her thighs and Claudio resurfaces, hugging her.

  —Were you looking for me?

  Christine doesn't say anything and rests her little arms on Claudio's shoulders. He feels the moment and moves closer to her. His insistent lips look for hers. The two find each other and cause a storm of applause. Christine and Claudio turn towards the others and laugh. Their relationship was confirmed. Everyone continues to enjoy the pool. Claudio and Christine do not move from each other's side. The group spends the whole morning in Sucavão and then later on all return to their homes.

  The Market

  A very sunny Wednesday morning arises and Christine has just awoken. She gets up out of bed and takes a bath. She enters the bathroom, turns on the faucet and the cold water floods her entire body. At that moment, her mind travels and lands exactly in the events of the previous day. She thinks about Claudio's embrace and the kiss. The initial physical contact made her even more certain about what she felt for him. It was something really enduring. She turns off the water, soaps up and fear begins to take a hold of her intimate thoughts. What would become of them when her parents found out? Would love be stronger than prejudice and social conventions? Had the mountain really answered her request? The answer to these questions she didn't know. The only thing they could do was to both enjoy the moment and hope that it would last forever.

  She turns the water back on and the previous fear disappears. She was willing to fight for this love even if it cost her dearly. The water from the faucet makes her remember Sucavão and how that place was magical. She thinks everyone should be like the flowing river which gives itself completely to its destiny. That's how she would act in relation to her love, Claudio. The cold water starts to bother her and she decides to turn it off. She takes two towels and begins to dry off. After completely drying herself, she dresses and goes to the kitchen to have breakfast. Upon arriving, she finds Gerusa serving her parents.

  —Up already? You look great. What happened?

  —Nothing, Mother. I just had a good night.

  —My daughter is a good girl, woman. She wouldn't do anything against our principles. (Major)

  An icy chill toured Christine's body and at that moment it seemed her parents had guessed her thoughts. She decides to keep quiet so as not to arouse suspicion.

  —What do you say we go to the fair today? I need fruit, vegetables and beans. (Helena)

  —I'll gladly go with you, mom.(Christine)

  —Well, I can't. I'm going to take care of business. (Major)

  The two finish up breakfast and go to the market. The Mimoso market had become a big event that lured visitors from all over the region. On that day, it was intensely busy and trade flourished. Christine and Helena approach Olivia's fruit stand and at that moment the heavens seemed to cross in the exchange of glances between Christine and Claudio.

  —You around here? I wasn't expecting that. (Christine)

  —My mother left me in charge of her tent. What wouldn't a child do for his mother? How are you, miss?

  —Very well.

  —I didn't know you two were such good friends.

  Christine disguises her feelings for Claudio a bit and responds:

  —He is part of the group of friends who I go out with and besides, he's my coworker, did you forget?

  —Oh, yes. The tax collector.

  Claudio winks at Christine as a sign of complicity. The two had to fake it until the right time. Claudio asks:

  —What will you have?

  —I want two dozen bananas, three papaya and six mangoes. (Helena)

  Christine pays attention to every masculine detail of her love and is impressed. She had no doubts: He was the man that she wanted, no matter how many obstacles she had to overcome. She had learned, at the convent, that a winner was one who had the courage to dare. Claudio gives them the fruits and Christine and Helena go to another station. The market will be open until 2:00 PM.

  The Case of the Cow

  Major Quintino, as one of the pioneers of the region, became a rich plantation owner and consequently one of the largest cattle ranchers in the region. One day, his employees were crossing the cattle over the railroad in order to have access to another part of the ground. By coincidence, that same instant, a train with great speed appeared on the horizon. The employees rushed the crossing and the train conductor tried to stop, but without success. One of the cows was hit by the train and died on impact. The driver continued on his trip and the employees were appalled. They got together and decided to tell all to the major.

  When the major heard the story, he ordered his employees to put a giant rock on the tracks of the railroad. In this same time, the major remained perched waiting for the train. It appeared on the horizon right on time and when the engineer noticed the rock he stopped short to try to avoid the crash. Luckily, he was successful and no one was hurt. The driver vexed, got off the train and asked:

  —Who put that stone in the middle of the railroad?

  At that moment, the major approaches him and inquires:

  —What is your name, Sir?

  —My name is Roberto. Tell me, who put this stone in my path?

  —It was my men who placed it here. I see that today you managed to stop the train. However, just yesterday, sir, you were not successful and hit one of my cows.

  —It wasn
't my fault. The train came at full speed and when I realized the cow was still there, it was too late.

  —Your apologies are of no use to me. Don't worry: I won't denounce you to the authorities or demand you to pay for the cow. However, starting tomorrow, every time that you pass through this village you will be obligated to stop in front of my house ask if anyone of my family will be traveling. If so, you will wait as long as it takes for us to get ready. If not, you can follow along on your journey. Are we clear?

  —Well, I guess I have no choice. Fine.

  The major orders his employees to withdraw the stone so the train could continue on its journey.

  The Press

  Major Quintino was famous throughout the region for his methods of torture. The most well-known of them was, without a doubt, the dreaded press. It was an iron instrument with five rings, one for placing on the neck, two for each hand and two for each leg. The major's enemies were whipped in the press, often to the death.

  Once, the major had three horses stolen and the thief was seen by one of his employees. The thief disappeared for a time and the major failed to locate him. With the case closed, the thief decided to return and was seen strolling around Mimoso. The major immediately knew it was him and sent his employees to detain him. The thief was caught and placed in the press. Tortured and humiliated, the thief confessed to the crime, and said he sold the horses to get some change. The angered major did not forgive him and ordered his employees to flog him all night long. The thief succumbed to his injuries and died. The major's employees picked up the body and buried him. He was one of the victims of this archaic system of society; A system that kills even before judgment.

  Message

  It already had been a couple of weeks that Claudio and Christine were dating secretly. The two saw each other every fifteen days at work or in other situations with their group of friends. These meetings were well used by the two who exchanged caresses and kisses when no one was looking. However, this situation was not comfortable to Claudio. He still felt insecure with Christine's resolution of not telling anyone about their relationship. He wanted to vent and tell the whole world how happy and fulfilled he felt. To this end, he called Guilherme (a street kid) and handed him a note addressed to Christine. The boy quickly obeyed.