Page 457 - Microsoft Word - Belicena respaldo

–Goodbye Dad– I accompanied him to the back door and I remained looking at him
while he walked away towards the stable searching his old chestnut. Minutes later I saw him
trotting away through the path that runs from East to West, parallel to the main irrigation
ditch. I should have gone but I delayed intentionally because I wanted to talk alone with my
Mother.

I was still in the kitchen and was enough to do a sign to make that she thoughtfully
came to me. This attitude normally would have not drawn his attention, but when I passed a
hand upon her shoulder and started to talk, a surprise gesture was painted in her face.

–Dear Mother –I said her fondly– you should forgive me if what I’m going to ask causes
you any pain...

–You know son that what I have is yours… –She realized that I was not requesting her
nothing material and her face was now frankly alarmed–

What can I do for you Arturo?

–Calm down Mom, you know that I would not cause you any preoccupation if I didn’t

believe it absolutely necessary.

–Cut to the chase and tell what a hell you want –said my mother, who was starting to
lose the calm.

–In what year did I born Mom? –I asked, going to the point.

–You know it well; in the year 44. January 30 1944. You are 36 years old now.

–Well Mom; listen to me attentively. We never spoke about it but I want to tell you that
I remember a night, more than thirty year ago; I was three or four years and something, a
noise, I don’t know what, awakened me. It was late, Katalina was sleeping in the contiguous bed
and in the window I saw the moon falling from the West. I heard voices and I got up without
dressing and I went down through the stairs of the hall, debating between the sleep that was
shutting my eyes and the curiosity that was opening them.

There were my Father, you and someone who I had never seen before; a tall man, of
sharp gaze. I still remember his penetrating gaze and his height taller than my Father, who is
1.80 m. He was who found me in the stair and released an uproarious laugh, before your
anxious glance. Finally, there’s not much more in my memory. I think that I was in his arms
and I believe to remember that he gave me something brilliant that attracted completely my
attention. Then you put me to sleep again and the next day the stranger was not there
anymore, neither his gift.

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