Quiet Observer: The Little Girl Watching Her Fathers Mysterious Visitor
Little Beatriz, trying not to be seen, watched silently as her father carried an elderly woman into his modest bedroom. The woman was short and deeply wrinkled.
Mom, this place isnt as spacious as yours, but the conditions are far better: central heating, running water, a warm bathroom. When we sell this house and buy a larger flat, youll have a room of your own.
Why is the little bed so tiny? the old lady asked gently. Even I wouldnt fit in it
Its Beatrizs, your granddaughter. Dont worry, well get a bigger bed for you.
But there wont be any space left!
Do you want to run around like a child? her father chuckled softly. Everything will be fine; youll all settle in.
And Beatriz?
Yes! his voice suddenly hardened. Patrícias daughter.
And also yours, the woman corrected calmly, unfazed by her sons sharp tone, adding, God bless you, Patty.
Beatriz instinctively crossed herself.
Her mother had been beautiful and kind, adored her daughter Beatriz, naming her after the heroine of a beloved novel. Beatriz remembered her mothers smile whenever her father, Pedro, came home. He was also gentle and playful, always bringing toys and affection.
One day everything collapsed. Her mother didnt wake up. Beatriz couldnt understand why everyone was crying, why they pitied her, why her father seemed constantly angry and distant. The dreadful word passed away, repeated by everyone entering the house, haunted her, even though she didnt grasp its meaning.
Soon they embarked on a long car journey with her father, who remained silent and refused to answer her questions. At last the car stopped, and in a heavy voice he said,
Your little mother isnt here anymore, Beatriz. Youll live with me and my family. You have two brothers.
Beatriz steadied herself a little. When they reached her fathers apartment, they were greeted by a disheveled woman shouting,
Why are you bringing me this burden? Take care of her yourself! I dont want to raise a child born out of wedlock!
Beatriz pressed against the wall. Two twelveyearold twin boys, drawn by the shouting, appeared and looked at the girl with contempt.
Who are you? one asked. What kind of scarecrow is this?
The other snatched Beatrizs bag, opened it, and dumped everything onto the floor.
What do we have here? Junk! Picked up from the trash? he began stomping on her belongings.
Beatriz screamed. Her parents and the woman rushed in.
See? As soon as she walked in she caused trouble. Why are you crying, brat? the woman shouted again.
Beatriz glanced at her father, tears brimming. He assessed the scene and coldly ordered,
Go to the room! And you, he turned to Beatriz, come with me!
The girl obeyed and followed him out, hearing the woman mutter behind them.
Beatriz! they entered a tiny room with a little window that had once been a pantry. Your mother has passed away. Youll live with me and my family. This woman is my wife, Helena. The boys are my sons, Diogo and Nuno. Try to get along with them.
Her father left, then returned with an old bed and an equally ancient nightstand.
Set yourself up!
From that day on Beatrizs life changed dramatically. No matter how hard she tried, her fathers family never accepted her. Aunt Helena grew irritated just by looking at her, claiming she was a burden. The boys made a point of poking or shoving her. Beatriz soon learned it was safest to stay in her corner while anyone else was in the house. She spent her days in the little room, playing with an old dollthe only remnant of her previous life.
Sometimes the boys would enter and mock her, until her father noticed and punished them severely. After that they no longer knocked on her door, but seized every chance to torment her when she left for the bathroom, to wash, or to eat. She rarely ate the same food as the others and usually dined alone. She could smell the pastries at breakfast but received only oatmeal porridge and a thin soup. Occasionally her father slipped her a few sweets in secret.
Beatriz longed to go to school, make friends, and be among other children, but that seemed far off.
Now an elderly woman had moved in next door, becoming her new grandmother. Beatriz curled up on her bed and watched as the old lady settled into the room. She saw her father and the boys bring in an old sofa and a small wardrobe; after arranging everything, hardly any space remained to move.
Lets get to know each other, the lady said, sitting on the sofa. Im Dona Clara, your fathers mother, so Im your grandmother. You can call me that.
Beatriz Beatriz, the girl murmured. She didnt feel like speaking to her new grandmother, doubting she could be kind.
Nevertheless, they became friends, bonded by the fact that both were rejected by the fathers side of the family. No one dared speak badly in front of DonaClara. Yet Beatriz overheard Aunt Helena complaining that her father had brought a crazy old woman for her. The boys, in turn, tried to sabotage the grandmotherbreaking her glasses, spilling tea, scattering tacks in her slippers. Still, the lady dined with everyone in the kitchen, which surprised Beatriz.
Pedro, why dont you put Beatriz at the table? she asked when she saw the girl eating in her room.
Theres no room! Helena snapped.
How can there be no room? I can squeeze in, and the boys can too.
Thats audacity! Diogo declared. I wont sit with an intruder!
How can you speak like that? the grandmother sighed. Shes your little sister, after all!
Pedro! Helena shouted. Talk to your mother! Its none of your business how we raise the girl!
Mother Pedro began, but was cut off.
It seems Beatriz lives here like an animal, fed like one too. What did she do wrong? You were unfaithful to your wife? I understand now!
Pedro! Helena wailed. Pedro tried to argue, but his mother raised her hand:
Ive had enough! I wont sit at the table with you any longer!
She stormed out of the kitchen, turning back to shake her head:
What a disgrace!
At night Beatriz tiptoed to the bathroom, careful not to make a sound. She knew that if anyone heard her, trouble would follow. Her father slept deeply and would never hear her being whipped in silence.
Suddenly she heard Helenas fierce whisper:
Pedro, when are you selling the house? I cant stand this any longer! Besides bringing your daughter, you also put your insane mother here. And the children? Our legitimate kids? How will they live in this setting?
How could I know the registry office is full? Pedro replied. In a few minutes well get the power of attorney and sell it!
And please, send your mother somewhere!
Where? I promised shed live with us!
On my life! You work, and I have to endure all this! Send her to a nursing home!
Fine! Well sort it out!
And we need to deal with the girl too! She has no place here! Even if shes your daughter, she could be as disturbed as her mother! How do you know that if you never lived with them?
Agreed! he said, sounding sleepy.
Forgetting the bathroom, Beatriz ran back to her room.
Grandma! Grandma Clara! she whispered, nudging the sleeping lady. Startled, the grandmother asked,
Whats happening? You called me grandma for the first timethis must be serious!
They want to send you to a nursing home! Sell the house and keep the money, the girl stammered.
Oh, really? How did you hear that? the grandmother asked sharply.
Beatriz began to sob, fearing punishment for eavesdropping. Clara also grew uneasy.
Dont worry! Its good you heard it! I warned them in time, thank you! Now go back to sleep.
The next morning Beatriz awoke to shouting. Helena was hurling curses at DonaClara, who calmly packed her clothes into a cloth bag while saying,
They only wanted my money, they were going to discard me! They couldnt!
Seeing Beatriz stir, Clara gave her a thoughtful look and suddenly ordered,
Come on, get ready, Beatriz! Youre coming with me!
The girl immediately started gathering her things. Pedro arrived home in a hurry.
Mom! Whats going on? Where are you going? he yelled when he saw his daughter ready to leave.
Shes coming with me! Clara declared firmly. Were going to the countryside! I wont let anyone hurt this child! If they resist, Ill tell Alexandre everything!
Alexandre, Pedros younger brother, was an excellent lawyer. Pedro feared him. He fell silent and sat down.
Clara, holding her granddaughters hand, walked to the door. Before leaving she shook her head in disapproval:
What a shame!
—
Beatriz called for her cat Mimi. She had spent six months living with Grandma Clara, helping her with everything. Clara was very kind and made delicious pancakes.
Mimi! Mimi! Where have you gotten off to this time? Your kittens are about to be born and you keep wandering!
A luxurious car pulled up in front of the house. A young, elegant couple got out and looked at Beatriz, who watched them curiously.
Hey, princess! Do you know if the owners are home?
I am the owner! the brave girl replied. What do you want?
Is Grandma Clara here? the man asked, offering a chocolate from his bag to Beatriz.
Yes, yes! a cheerful voice chimedit was Grandma Clara. Sandro, Ana, wonderful to see you! Come in!
Shall we enter, lady of the house? the man, who Clara called Sandro, teased, winking at Beatriz.
Soon they were all seated in the kitchen, sipping tea and enjoying the delicious cake the visitors had brought, chatting animatedly. Sandro was Claras younger son, and Ana his wife.
In the afternoon Beatriz went out with Ana to show her the village, while Sandro sat on the porch with his mother.
Whos that girl? Sandro asked, seeing Beatriz in the distance. Clara told him everything. He shook his head. I never liked that Lena. Shes nasty, greedy, and raised the boys the same way!
Hows your son, Costinha? the grandmother recalled.
Hes fine. He went to camp, and were spending a week here. You wont mind, will you?
Dont talk nonsense, son!
For a week Beatriz was on cloud nine. The aunties never left her alone. They went together to the forest, the river, the little market, picking every sweet Beatriz wanted. The day of departure approached.
Youll visit us again, wont you? Beatriz asked Sandro and Ana alternately.
Of course, princess! Sandro smiled, lifting her into the air, while Ana gave her a tight hug.
On the last night, after the girl fell asleep, the trio sat at the table in soft voices.
Are you sure about this? the grandmother asked, worried. I dont want the girl to suffer again!
Yes, Mom! Of course were sure! We love her very much, especially Ana. And Costinha will be happy to have a little sister!
Make sure! If anything goes wrong, bring her back to me!
The next morning Beatriz woke to Sandro looking at her.
Uncle Sandro, whats up? she asked, surprised.
We thought, AuntAna and I, maybe youd like to visit us?
Beatriz hesitated.
What about Grandma Clara?
Shell be waiting later; shes busy, Mimi will have kittens soon.
Really? Can I really?
Yes, you must!
—
Two years passed.
Grandma! Finally, vacation! Costinha and I are coming to stay with you for the whole summer! Beatriz shouted excitedly over the phone. Are you happy?
Of course! Clara laughed, pulling the phone away. Are the parents coming with you?
No, were going by ourselves! Were grown up now!
Putting the phone down, Clara let a tear of joy fall. Since being taken in by Sandro and Ana, Beatriz only saw her grandmother during holidays and special dates. She had rebuilt a life in a new family that adored her.
Clara wiped the tear away and hurried to the kitchen to let the cake batter rise.
