I was forced to accept that my own body was no longer the same, came the surprise of the number of things I could suddenly no longer do alone. That morning when I received the worst news of my lif

e doctor, and he said that the paralysis could indeed be reversi

t the tears flow freely while still waking up. I felt a deep sadness for everything that had happened. Not only that, but I never imagined that something could hurt this much. Likewise, I was wrong. I believed this wave of melancholy would never pass, until that girl walked into my room and brought with her some goo

r open, when I turned around, Zoe was alread

head, smi

rom you – I see your face turn red

agree. I wipe away the fe

odded, knowing what that meant – and

k this treatm

sitting on the bed opposite me – I'll onl

f what she sees isn't a good thing. I know this place is full of memories of the two of us, but I know that none of

you are going to talk

ories and unconsciously took h

ch wouldn't be any big news, since she doesn'

a mother, you'

en window of the room – I know exactly what I'm going to say to him, but I don't know if I'm going to

what your life would have b

ms to hurt. I se

e that he might not h

es – but it coul

, and his absence has made you a strong woman. It was better this way – I move the chair closer to her and affectionately touch her hands – I'm already proud of you, the

iss her one more time. I know I shouldn't. Control myself, I tell myself while I'm immobilized by his silent look, but that tells me millions of things that I know, I just never wanted to hear. Then there's a

ays Paulo standing at

eymoon – I draw your attention –

miliar sound of laughter – but I want to guarantee your boarding

r attention back to me – he also likes to co

la

She asks me as the smile fades, giving way

th the quiver that forms at the corner of my mouth

ooks embarrassed – I'm speaking as your brother. And yes, Zoe, Arthur has spok

everything Paulo said with a smile and the fucking silence that I can't

erstand? – She crouches down again, bringing her f

eats. Zoe hugs me and that fills me with the will to live, to try as many times as it takes until I can

ays goodbye – I need to go now. I arrange

me, far away without being able to do absolutely anything to prevent a rapprochement. Comee! Damn

hten my jaw thinking about the days or months I'll spend away fr

we g

tether, but I don't answer him. I just move the chair

o begins an almost endless litany with someone on the other end of the line, about one of his favorite subjects: politics. I was already yawning when the car pulled into one of the airport parking lots. Paulo clenches his teeth, stemming the endless stream of words, says "see you later" and hangs up. The municipal elections were coming up and other than me and my recovery, there was no

silence until we

now when y

every step – I reply with irony –

the elevator that will take me to the plane's door – You are the only reason

know this is an

re – I say goodbye to him with a brie

Paulo walking back to the car. My heart squeezes. I am afraid of what I will face alone. As much as I want him to enjoy his first days married