Page 62 - SpontaneousSuccessFINAL6

NICHOLAS BOOTHMAN
Donna Casilda came around to comfort me, but I
couldn‘t stop sobbing. I didn‘t want to, it felt wonderful.
She rubbed my shoulders, and Francesca held my hand.
Antonio pushed her away gently and stuck a beer in my
hand.
“Ay, Senhor Nick,” Donna Casilda said, “What is it
the matter with you?”
That's all it took. I got to my feet, hugged them all,
still bawling, and shouted out in Portuguese, “It‘
s my
birthday, and this is the best party I've ever had. Ben-
fica!”
As dawn broke, we hugged goodbye. The clean-up
crew dumped the contents of the tables into garbage
cans and carted them off before the wind could have its
way with them.
Leaving Lavanda three hours later, I was forever
changed. The knowledge and experience I gained
during my three-month stay were etched into my soul.
Carlos gunned his souped-up Renault. Blue. Fast.
We hit the main road. I looked back. The valley. The
village. The chapel on the cliff. When would I be back? If
ever.
“Hey. Open that,” Carlos nudged me, pointing his
racing-gloved hand at the glove box.
I pulled it open.
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