excerpt
They entered the house. His aunt, Maria, smiling and cheerful
as always, embraced Hermes and held on to him for a moment. She
couldn’t conceal her pride and love for this young man.
“Congratulations, my boy, I am so happy for you.”
“Thank you, my dear aunt.”
Happy tears appeared in her eyes. This woman, whom Hermes
always admired for her strength, simply couldn’t control her emotions.
There was nothing her husband or Hermes could do about it.
Maria was a tall, skinny, graceful woman who never had any
children. In Hermes, she saw her son, the one she wished she had.
Her large forehead, her black eyes, her delicate nose, her thin lips, her
whole face—were in Hermes, reflecting a happiness and sadness for
the son they never had.
“At 11:30, you must be at school, my son, to take your oath, and
at noon the ceremony will take place with the diplomas. You have
enough time to rest for a bit and prepare yourself,” Maria says.
“Very well then, I might as well start doing something.”
Hermes took his suitcase and went upstairs to his room.
The bed was still covered with the Same familiar blue blanket.
His bureau, his desk, his books were all there. This was the world where
he had spent the last four years of his life. He was surrounded again
with the familiar setting and all the love he easily felt and even tasted.
He lay on the bed and let his thoughts flow. A few minutes later, a
knock on the door announced his auntie with a tray of breakfast.
For four long years, she has taken care of him and spoiled him
with adoration.
She left the tray on the bureau, bent down to kiss his forehead,
and then went out, closing the door behind her.
He arrived at the school later in the day after he met with Eleni
at their usual spot to catch the bus together. Upon arrival, they made
their way toward the second floor, where the oath would take place.
In the hall, he stopped to sign the register.
Libros Libertad 