I Am. Aldivan Teixeira Torres

returned to her normal life at her work as municipal public servant, in her social and family relationships. However, about a month later she began to suspect that something in her body was not well: Her menstrual period was late, and she began to feel indisposed and nauseated. Her mother, with some acquired experience, suspects pregnancy and asked the daughter to buy a pregnancy kit. They then chose a day free of obligations and went to town to buy it, for in the village there was no pharmacy. There, they bought the kit, took care of other things in town and later returned home. At home, Bernadete went to her bedroom and following the instructions, did the test and the result was positive. The young woman almost falls on her back! In a mixture of revolt and nonconformity, she cursed the man who had raped her for putting her in such bad situation. And now? What was she going to do with her life? She left the room, told her mother who although initially understanding demanded explanations. Afraid, the young woman decided to open and related the occurrence. After, her mother’s reaction was not the best. She called her naïve for listening to a stranger and now she was the shame of the family. She concludes by saying that she would keep it secret for a while and the best solution would be an abortion. Replying, Bernadete kicked up a fuss, but the mother closed her ears. It was beyond reason to accept the dishonour of having a single mother in the family. She had no option but to accept it.

      A month later, she had an abortion at a private clinic. Just before this, left her parents’ home and decided to live on her own. Now, she was looking for answers for her endless pain. Could it be that she had the right to a new chance and God’s pardon?”

      For the little that she knew of Aldivan, the son of God, she piously believed it. She was one more victim of the circumstances, of destiny and of the stereotypes that support the false moral. For the names of the good costumes, the poor, the blacks, the homosexual, the Indians, the prostitutes, the single mothers and other minorities were disdained and pre-judged, even by the closest persons. Indeed, what they all wanted, even the most conservative ones, was to have the courage of coming out of the closet and for that they preferred to criticize instead of understanding the others’ reasons.”

      At the end of the touch, Aldivan moves away and appearing to be reading her mind, says:

      — It is gone, sister, mine and your pain! Let’s go back to the walk!

      — Yes, master! (Bernadete Sousa)

      With a signal, the seer calls everyone, and together they leave the morbid cemetery. At that time, they feel hungry and proceed to the centre to look for a place that served ready food. With the help of some locals, they were told of a place, and in a few steps, they find it.

      It was a small snack bar, with some tables and chairs. It was not busy, they found an empty table and sat down. They look at the menu on the table, studied it for a while all in agreement give the order to the waiter: Chicken couscous. Now, it was only waiting.

      While they wait for the food to be prepared, the small talk begins.

      — What do you think of the journey so far, guys? I am loving it. (The seer)

      — It is doing me good to leave my little world and breath fresh air. My illness requires it. Thank you very much for inviting me, Aldivan! (Rafaela Ferreira)

      — Don’t mention it, dear! (The seer)

      — I want to say thank you too. The experience with you is being excellent. (Bernadete Sousa)

      — Nothing at all! We thank you for your presence. (The seer)

      — I am learning more all the time, partner. Soon, I will be completely enlightened by your great soul. (Renato)

      — You also teach me, Renato! I can see in you the youngster I was a few years ago. Believe me, I can see glorious future for you. (Aldivan)

      — I wish it! (Renato)

      — The cycle is continuing inexorably. In the end, the wish of many hearts will be realised. (Rafael)

      — On this path, we will face obstacles, losses, inner fights, the destiny links and our own fragile mind. But if we follow the right conductor cable, we have great chances of success. (Uriel Ikiriri)

      — I believe it, friends. I have already been in worse situations and won. Together, we have the force of Yahweh the father, which is a legion, and surely, we have conditions to triumph. Trust me! (The son of God)

      Everyone seems to agree. The waitress arrives with the order and everyone starts filling their plates. Immediately, they start eating, and the conversation goes a bit cold. With good manners they concentrate on the meal.

      Thirty minutes later, they finish, ask for something to drink, and drink quickly. At a signal, they get up, pay the bill and leave the snack bar. Outside, in the streets of the centre, while walking, the seer speaks again.

      — I have just had an idea. What about pay a visit to the sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces, at the guard’s place, not far?

      — It sounds good to me. What do you think guys? (Renato)

      — I will go to wherever you go, my lord and master. (Rafaela Ferreira)

      — Like the old saying goes, if we are in the rain we will get wet. Yes, let’s go. (Bernadete Sousa)

      — Excellent idea! Are we going, brother? (Rafael)

      — Yes. It is written! (Uriel)

      — Very well. Let’s try to find a car to hire. (The seer)

       And so, they do. Talking to some locals, they were informed of a taxi driver at the back street. They then cross the street towards south, pass ten houses on the right and arrive at his residence. Knocking twice on the main door, they are attended by the said person looking potbellied, intruded and perturbed, wearing a pair of beach sandals, torn Bermuda shorts and shirtless.

      Being surrounded by strangers, he speaks:

      — What do you want, gentlemen?

      — We understand that you are a taxi driver. Could you take us to guard’s place? (The seer)

      — Of course. How much can you pay? (Taxi driver)

      — Fifty bucks. Is it alright with you? (The seer)

      — It is alright. Wait a moment. I am getting the car. (Taxi driver)

      — Ok. (The seer)

      Heading to the side garage, the taxi driver whose name is Klebson Barbosa, gets there in a few paces. In the garage, he gets in his powerful, a black combi model 2015, took off, and stopped at the exit, closed the garage and called his clients. One by one they get in the car and when everyone is in, they depart.

      The distance to the sanctuary was approximately three kilometres, was quickly covered because of the vehicle high speed. In a blink of the eyes, they leave the village, catch the main dirt road and heading straight ahead in a westerly direction, they arrived at sanctuary imbedded in the mountain. The driver stops the car at the edges of the great path, they alight and arrange with Klebson Barbosa to wait for them for it would be a quick visit. After, they begin climbing up the stairs leading to the top.Barbosa waits for them for the visit would be quick. After, they start climbing the stairs leading to top.

      Step by step, the visitors go on climbing and at each step, the emotion is greater. It was there, that in the previous century, the virgin appeared to two innocent children. The same lady who had appeared several times in the special life of the seer.

      Something inside is telling him that it would be one more great experience to be lived in a truly important moment. There were six people moved by their own anxieties living a delicate situation. Everything boiled down to the hope promised by the son of God and this makes them advance even more. They cover quarter, half-way and they approach the end of the way.

      A while later they complete it and placed themselves in front of the sanctuary. While some pray, others admire the beauty of the mountain. Emotional, the seer speaks:

      — My brothers, we are at