2021-05-21 19:17:16Romualdo approaches the young people with the usual smile. “Good morning, young people! It's good that you are getting to know each other better.” Romualdo notices Josias's dress, “Yeah, there was no way, right? The sweatpants won. But, this is going to be temporary. Shall we start?”
Romualdo turns his back and the two boys follow him. The rest of the masons are standing in a corner, waiting for the orders of the day. Romualdo dictates today's schedule, as a real foreman.
When everyone goes to perform their tasks, Romualdo takes the famous hoe and gives it to Josias, with a nod. Uélton chuckles again.
“See, you did manage to be assigned effectively. I said that I suck with the hoe.”
Josias turns to Uélton with the same determined and firm expression. “Don't say such nonsense, Uélton. One day I'll teach you, so you can be proud of knowing how to handle a hoe. Never settle for little. You have two arms that can do anything, you are not a cripple. And you can learn anything because you are not a retard.”
Uélton's mouths open. It was the first time someone has said so vehemently that he is capable of being good at something. Not even his parents.
“T-thank you, Josias, it’s very motivating.”
Uélton smiles and goes to the pile of bricks, carrying more for those who are lifting the walls of the living room. Romualdo had also seen the scene from afar, also amazed at Josias's maturity and wisdom.
“Who is this boy?” He asks himself.
The day went on normally. Uélton is walking to and from, carrying bricks for the masons to raise the walls, and Josias mixing the cement with water for them to bond the bricks. Romualdo left an empty paint can and Josias put the mortar to take to the masons. It was not an easy task, taking the can filled with cement to various places. As the sun heated up, Josias sweated and got tired, but he didn't complain.
Once in a while Uélton did pass by him and make a little joke that he couldn't take it. Josias laughed at first, but then he started to get worried. Was Uélton really prepared for the toil at the construction site?
“How old are you, Uélton?” Josias asks when he utters the 20th joke.
“Sixteen,” Uélton responds at the same time as he gasps.
Josias makes a mental calculation. “Shouldn't you be at school? Or do you study in the afternoon, at night? You haven't finished high school yet.”
Uélton laughs. “I don't want to go on, I really did quit it. I have already learned what is necessary: multiplication tables and enough in Portuguese not to commit any embarrassment.”
Josias, however, shakes his head. “If you don't finish your studies, then it is good to get used to the bricks.”
Uélton laughs again, thinking that Josias is also joking, and walks away. Romualdo cautiously approaches Josias after the scene.
“Where do you live really, Josias?”
“In Seu Teodoro's building, he said he knows you,” Josias responds by turning over more cement mass with the hoe.
“Yes, I know where it is. You are one of the tenants.”
“Now, I am legitimate. Before, I didn't pay a cent, but Seu Teodoro was very kind to let me stay. Now I will pay, and I even think about paying for the four months that were left behind.”
Romualdo puts his hand on his chin. The boy has been here for four months. Then, after asking permission, Romualdo goes to Teodoro's building.
Upon arriving, Teodoro is again dancing with the broom to the sound of “Special Lady” by Ray, Goodman, and Brown. Romualdo lets out a good laugh. “Yes, the lack that a woman makes! Who told you not to get married?”
Teodoro is so frightened that he drops his broom, making a loud bang. “Look what you made me do, man!”
“What is it; did I take your girlfriend down?” Romualdo approaches and leans against the counter. Gradually he stops laughing. “I need to take a serious chat with you.”
“You can talk.” Teodoro picks the broom and leaves it leaning against the wall. Then it decreases the volume of the radio.
“Are you housing the boy named Josias, who is working with me today at the construction site?”
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Building My Life Chapter 18 Who's That Boy?
“Ah yes.” Teodoro smiles proudly. “A great guy. You did very well to invite him to the construction site.”“Yes, he didn't tell me in detail what happened, but it looks like he doesn't have a penny in his pocket and he ran away from home.”Teodoro breaks his smile. Romualdo realizes that there is a sad explanation.“Did something very serious happen to him?” Romualdo asks.“Yes, something very serious.” Teodoro approaches the other side of the counter and speaks quietly, “I heard the news on the radio, and then they made a headline in the newspaper. They murdered his father, and he ran away so as not to die too.”Romualdo gets shocked by the information. “Poor boy! So young and is suffering similar trauma?”“Do you believe he barely had time to mourn his father's death?” Teodoro speaks with great concern, “If he really cried, it was in his r
Building My Life Chapter 19 Melissa
Josias gets tense, expectant. Here is the moment for him to know if she will like what she sees or if she will reject him because he is working on a construction site.Melissa, however, does not seem to disapprove or belittle him. Instead, she is nodding, looking around. Of course, she couldn't help noticing the fact that Josias was still shirtless and wearing the same sweatpants. “Josias, what are you doing here? Did you get a job as a helper?”“Yes, Melissa, I did it today. I was needing.” Josias speaks, still looking forward to her approval.“Congratulations.” She smiles, “If we were going to date, you would have already earned points with my dad.”Uélton looks at Josias with surprise. Josias smiles satisfied with what he hears. “Thank you very much, Melissa. It is not being easy, but it is what we have.”“You go a long way, Josias, and you look like a smart boy. Well, let
Building My Life Chapter 20 Let's Go to the Party
Melissa has a jolt. “Aren't you inviting me to a party like this that we see in the movies? Where will be drinks, drugs, and sex?”The two friends look at Melissa for a few seconds, as if they don't know what to do, or what to lie to her.Finally, the two smile and assure her, “No! None of that, dear friend, what is it! It’s a safe party. There will be residents of Rainbow Garden and Saint Gabriel, it's a good start.”Melissa smiles in excitement. They're not guys from Europe Garden, but it's worth it. The school bell is sounded and the three enter the rest of the students with the class.Meanwhile, Uélton approaches Josias; the two have already finished the job and are being released by Romualdo."Rest for tomorrow, young people," He says this and walks away to join the adult masons.Uélton is washing his hands with water coming out of a hose. "Anyway, the job is over. Are you up for a party today
Building My Life Chapter 21 Meeting at the Party
Uélton says goodbye to his parents and leaves the house with Josias, somewhat embarrassed to know that his friend is leaving for a public place without underwear. But, Josias is not at all embarrassed. He would even wear the same brief, but Uélton said it would not be appropriate... if Uélton kept his mouth shut...Uélton and Josias go to a part of the Happiness Slum where Josias has not yet met. They passed in the direction pointed by Melissa where her house is. So, the chances of meeting her at the party are big, which encourages Josias.They arrive at a two-story house and a terrace. From a distance, you can already see the crowd on the terrace and the sound of loud music = “Off the Wall”, by Michael Jackson. Uélton goes in and greets everyone his age, the boy looks like the son of a politician, he is so well known. And for each friend greeted, Josias is introduced.What Uélton did not realize was that, wi
Building My Life Chapter 22 Let My Friend Alone
Melissa decides to praise Jonas for eating barbecue with a fork while everyone grabs the meat with their hands. “You know what, good thing Josias prefers the fork; it's a lot more hygienic.” Josias smiles in thanks. “That's what I thought. And by the way, I see the owner of the house slicing a steak. Shall we, Melissa?” “Only if it's now,” Melissa smiles at Josias, and the two move away from the others. Pamela sits down again, pursing her lips in annoyance. She calls Uélton. “Hey, you...” “Uélton, miss.” Uélton tries to be as kind as his friend. “Uélton, what do you know about this guy?” Pamela tilts her chin towards Josias. “He showed up at the construction site where I am, demonstrating excellent skill with the hoe, while I was failing, and Seu Romualdo hired him.” “He is the bricklayer assistant,” The second friend comments, “But, Pamela, let's be fair and acknowledge that he is cute.” “It doesn't matter if he's cute
Building My Life Chapter 23 Waking Up From the Enchantment
Josias does not understand how a person who barely knows him can afford to express such a negative opinion about him. "Excuse me, miss, but you don't know me well enough for such a heavy and cruel judgment.""And is there anything more interesting for me to know?" The question comes out of Pamela's mouth laden with disdain.Josias, faced with the situation, decides to shut up. He looks over Pamela's shoulder and sees Uélton talking to Melissa and Pamela's other friend. Uélton "cleans" his hands in the shorts he's wearing and then with the same "clean" hand takes more slices of meat to eat.Josias narrows his view, considering that if Pamela knows about the few clothes he has, it was thanks to Uélton. Why did Uélton tell this despicable girl that he had nothing to wear to come here? Would it have been unintentionally, or on purpose?Upset, and unable to say goodbye to Melissa (she is well involved in the conversation, and the bo
Building My Life Chapter 24 Josias Is Upset
The next day, Josias wakes up, stretching in bed, covered by the thin sheet from the waist down. He looks at Uélton's brother's jeans and T-shirt and gives a smile that says “I'm smiling so I don't cry”. Josias hopes that Uélton has not thrown his clothes away; otherwise he will have to work on the construction site with his brother's clothes!After putting on his clothes and going down to brush his teeth, Josias goes to breakfast in Teodoro's kitchen. He's just finished straining the coffee. Teodoro gets distracted by Josias's clothes and misses the strainer, leaving coffee spilling on the table.“Oops!” Teodoro realizes the error and returns to concentrate. “Good morning, son! How was the party? They let you borrow their clothes.”“I was the one who left mine at Uélton's. I hope he didn't throw it out of anger.”Teodoro finishes straining the coffee and closes the thermos. He takes it
Building My Life Chapter 25 A Action of Gentleness
Uélton puts both hands on Josias's wrist, wanting to get away from him. Josias still presses his friend's body against the wall without plastering it, with a force he thought he didn't have.“Let go of me, man, this wall is scratching my back,” Uélton asks.“Answer my question, man.” Josias is tough and domineering.“No, I didn't want to make you look bad.” Uélton is practically whining, “I spoke without thinking. If Pamela was making a conspiracy to get you away from Melissa, I'm not part of this. Let me go, man; I thought we were friends.”Josias lets go of Uélton's shoulder and he relieves himself. He was already thinking he was going to get punched by Josias.“Thanks, buddy. And I'm sorry for the fail.”Romualdo appears after listening to the last lines. “Guys, good morning. Is everything okay here?”“It's okay, Seu Romualdo.&
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Chapter 3199 A Gift That Made William Sad
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Chapter 3198 Humiliated in a Crowded Store
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Chapter 3197 Don’t Worry About the Gifts
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Chapter 3196 Permission to Date
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Chapter 3195 Giving Advice to a Young Lady
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Chapter 3194 J.J.’s Choice
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Chapter 3193 David Remembers Sarah
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Chapter 3192 The Lawyer Is Cross-Examined
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