5
Aidan - Summer – 2016
Ridingthe rental bicycle south along Beira Mar Norte boardwalk, Aidan could not take his eyes off the green waters of the bay to his right. The city of Florianópolis had developed on a small island off the south of coast of Brazil, spilling off to the continent. One of the bridges that connected the two parts of the town bore a striking resemblance to the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco. The inhabitants of Floripa, as the Brazilians referred to the city, had won Aidan over with their warmth, their willingness to communicate with him, even when they didn’t speak of a word of English, and their wonderful sense of humor. Qualities which made him feel right at home, being akin to Irishtraits.
Too bad his sabbatical year was almost over, and he had to start preparing to head backhome.
He didn’t want togo.
As the bicycle lane bended gently to the right, the wooden pier came into view. Aidan sighed and slowed his speed to acrawl.
He really didn’t want togo.
His cell phone rang, and his mom’s picture popped up on the screen. “Hey. Your sixth sense is uncanny. I was just thinking ofhome.”
“Never underestimate the ‘momdar’.”
He burst out laughing at their private joke. Ever since he could remember, Joan would tell him that moms had an internal radar that beeped whenever their kids were bullshitting them. When he got old enough to go out with friends, she would say the ‘momdar’ also detectedshenanigans.
He replied. “Never did. How is the bookgoing?”
“Almost done. It’s taking me everything I’ve got to finish it, though. It’s got angst, and suspense, and romance. I’ve got a feeling about this one, that it will speak to people, youknow?”
Aidan got off the bike and plopped on a bench facing the shady waters that the late morning sun hadn’t lit up yet, as it still climbed the sky behind the tall buildings that lined the waterfrontavenue.
“I’m sure the book is going to be anotherbestseller.”
“Thank you, but I meant something else. I’ve got a feeling this story will move people, touch people’slives.”
“That’s what every artist wants to do, Ma. Touch people’s lives, make a difference, leave animpression.”
“Spoken like one who knows his trade. I’m proud ofyou.”
“I sometimes wonder if I will ever make it, though. The two bands I was in never wentanywhere.”
“You were fifteen when you joined The Loosers. The name might have sounded a clever pun, but it turned out to be a twistedpremonition.”
He guffawed. “Oh, God, that is so right. We were a sadbunch.”
“Also, not exactly rock androll.”
“Nope. Too depressing to be rock. Then, when I got to college I thought I had found the perfect match, only to end up in a dead end. They went from rock band to jazz ensemble. What the fuck? Who doesthat?”
“I know it may still be too recent to joke about, but I’ll go ahead and say it. You might have missed out on something big with thatgroup.”
Aidan had a hunch he would regret asking. “Meaning?”
“You might not be a big fan of jazz, but you’ve got the right attitude forit.”
“Very funny. Hey, listen. I’ve got to return a bicycle I rented, but before we hang up, how’sdad?”
“He’s doing great. Don’t worry about him. Focus on enjoying your last days there. You always sound so passionate about Brazil. I’m curious to visitnow.”
Aidan heard the concern in her voice, so he knew something was off. Also, she suddenly changed the topic. He didn’t want to pressure her, though. He didn’t pressit.
“Ma, I should getgoing.”
“Talklater.”
