While Katya paid, Sergei stepped away. When she began to pack the purchases, he left. Upon exiting the shop, Katya met Sergei, who was smoking.
While Catarina was paying for the groceries, José stayed aside, removed from the scene. As soon as she started putting the items into the bags, he walked out of the store entirely. Catarina left the premises and approached José, who was lighting a cigarette on the sidewalk.
Zé, could you take the bags, please? Catarina asked, handing her husband two heavy shopping sacks.
José stared at her as if she had demanded something illegal and replied, puzzled:
And you, what?
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Catarina was perplexed. What did you, what? mean? What was the point of that question? A man should help, of course. It seemed odd for a woman to lug heavy bags while the man walked free, with nothing in his hands.
Zé, theyre heavy Catarina answered.
So what? José persisted, resisting.
He saw she was beginning to get angry, but, out of principle, he refused to carry the bags. He hurried ahead, confident she wouldnt catch up. *Carry the bags? What am I, a packanimal? A servant? Im a man! I decide whether I lift or not. Let her take them alone; she wont die!* José thought. He felt like humiliating his wife today.
Zé, where are you going? Take the bags! Catarina shouted, on the verge of tears.
The bags really were heavy, and José knew ithe had been the one who filled the cart. Their house wasnt far, maybe a fiveminute walk, but with those sacks the journey felt endless.
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Catarina trudged home, eyes brimming with tears. She hoped José was only joking and would turn back, but he kept moving farther away. She wanted to drop everything, yet in a daze she kept going. When she reached the building, she collapsed onto the entrance bench, exhausted. She wanted to weep out of anger and fatigue, but held backcrying on the street felt shameful. Swallowing it whole? No. He had not only offended her, he had purposely humiliated her. And the man who, before the wedding, had been so attentive He knew exactly what he was doing.
Hello, Catarina! The neighbors voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Hello, Dona Maria she replied, forcing a smile.
Dona Maria, or Maria da Conceição, lived one floor below and had been a close friend of Catarinas grandmother. After the grandmothers death, she had helped Catarina with everything. There was no one elseCatarinas mother lived in another city with a new husband and children, and her father was a distant figure. Dona Maria had become her only family.
Without hesitation, Catarina decided to give her the groceries. After all, carrying them hadnt been in vain. DonaMarias apartment was small, and Catarina liked to pamper her with treats.
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Come on, Dona Maria, let me help you up Catarina said, picking up the heavy bags again.
In the neighbors kitchen she set everything down, explaining it was for her. Seeing sardines, pâté, canned peaches and other delicacies she adored but couldnt afford, DonaMaria became so emotional that Catarina felt guilty for not gifting her more often. They exchanged a kiss, and Catarina headed back home.
When she entered, her husband emerged from the kitchen, chewing something.
And the bags? José asked as if nothing had happened.
Which bags? Catarina answered in the same tone. The ones you helped me carry?
Oh, come on, dont exaggerate! he tried to joke. Youre upset?
No she replied calmly. I just drew some conclusions.
José tensed. He expected shouting, a fight, tears but her calm made him uneasy.
What conclusions? he probed.
I dont have a husband she sighed. I thought Id married a man, but it turns out I married a fool.
I dont follow he pretended offense.
What dont you understand? she fixed him with her gaze. I want a husband who is truly a man. And you, apparently, also want a woman who is a man. Pause. What you need is a husband.
Josés face flushed with rage, his fists clenched. Catarina didnt notice; she was already in the bedroom, putting his things away.
José held out until the end. He didnt want to leave. He couldnt grasp how such a small issue could end a marriage.
Everything was fine! Whats wrong with carrying the bags alone? he protested, as she tossed his clothing into the suitcase.
Your suitcase, I hope youll carry it yourself Catarina replied, ignoring him.
She knew this was only the first warning. If she swallowed the disrespect, the humiliation would only grow. So she closed the story by slamming the door in his face.
