“Sure.”
“Would you give me a lift to Caparica? I’d like tosee David’s aunt and apologize for the change of plans. She was expecting me to pick up David‘s spare apartment key yesterday.”
I was more than happy to visit Teresa. It also gave me an opportunity so see Bruno and Filipe.
Despite what had happened in the past—when Mário kicked me out of David’s apartment—I had a good relationship with Teresa and was glad for the opportunity to use the café as a place for new apprentices.
I confessed I still hadn’t seen Mário but was sure it was only a matter of time, especially if we turned up unannounced.
“Do you want to call her and say we’re coming?”
“No, it might be for the best if I see Mário and get it out of the way. I know he doesn’t have an issue with David anymore, so he shouldn’t have an issue with me.”
It turned out I’d been right. Mário was filling up the chiller with drinks when we arrived.
He stopped when he saw me, all color draining from his face. I guessed he didn’t expect to see me. I wasn’t sure he’d met Max before, either.
“Boa tarde,” he said, not meeting my gaze.“Teresa is with Bruno in the kitchen. I’ll call them.”
“Thank you.”
Max gave my arm a little squeeze.
“It’s okay. I’m okay,” I said. I wasn’t so sure, but maybe saying it aloud would make it true.
Filipe was the first to come out from the kitchen area. Still clutching his little Superman doll.
“Hello,” he said. “Are you coming to help Bruno?”
I didn’t have a chance to reply because he went around me to face Max who crouched down to Filipe’s level.
“Are you helping Bruno, too? What’s your name? I’m Filipe, and this is Superman.” Filipe held up the doll to Max’s face, and he nearly fell backward in an attemptto not be stabbed in the eye by Superman’s arm.
“Hi, Filipe, I’m Max. It’s very nice to meet you. Did you know my best friend used to have a Superman doll just like this?”
“He doesn’t have it no more?”
Max shook his head. “No, his Superman went on adventures to help other people that need it the most.”
Filipe leaned toward Max as though he was telling him a secret, but I could still hear him from where I was standing.
“Do you think my Superman can help Bruno? He needs help so he can keep me forever.”
Max looked up at me and I smiled. Filipe was a little whirlwind. Itsurprised me how much chattier he was today compared to the last time I’d been at the café to see Bruno.
Bruno came out from the kitchen area holding a carton of juice that he handed to Filipe as he told him to sit at the table anddraw on his pad. Teresa and Mário were just behind him.
“Oh, you must be Max.” Teresa wrapped her arms around him, her head only reaching his chest because she was so petite. Mário extended his hand and also greeted Max.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Max said. “David speaks about you all the time, so I feel like I’ve met you before.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, dear. How are my boys? Are they eating well? Are they safe? Oh god, I worry so much. The news on the television always talks about these horrible shootings in America, and I get so worried.”
Max reassured Teresa that both David and Joel were okay and it wouldn’t be long until they were back.
“The last time I spoke to David on Skype, he told me he was finishing a course. They are planning on traveling a little before coming back,” I added.
I was looking forward to seeing my friend. He’d been busy before going to Manhattan with Joel, so I hadn’t had a chance to have a proper heart-to-heart. I still felt terrible for the night at the club. When I’d left Max that night, I’d also left David and Joel.
