‘What day of the week are we on?' mom asks. 'Is it Saturday?’
‘No, it’s Tuesday.’
‘What month are we on?’
‘September.’
‘Who do I know has a birthday in September?’ she asks herself.
‘I do; and Nicholas did, on the 7th.'
‘What day of the month are we on?'
'The 26th.'
She looks embarrassed.
‘I forgot your birthday, didn't I?'
'No,' I smile. 'In fact, you wished me happy birthday twice - once via Facebook and once in person.'
‘Did you get many presents?'
'None. But that's fine.'
'Where’s Nicholas buried?' Nicky was my youngest brother.
'He’s buried with Aunt Pama and Aunt Didi.'
'But how can that be? Is there space in the tomb?'
'They allow a new coffin to be added five years after the previous burial. By that stage the previous coffin has disintegrated.'
'I’d like to go visit him one day.'
'We went a month ago, on the day of the town’s religious procession – it was also Aunt Pama’s birthday. She’d have been 73 years old.'
'I don’t remember.'
'I know.'
'Where do you leave your things in London when you visit us?'
'I don’t have anything left in London now. I’ve returned home for good. What I couldn’t fit in my three suitcases I gave away to charity.'
'Won’t you be bored here? It can be so quiet…'
'I love the fresh air and silence. I can meditate; I can work on my writing. Plus, my friends in London and São Paulo promised to visit. I can also help you.'
'Is today Sunday?'
'No, it’s Tuesday.'
'Tuesday? Really? Wow!'
'One day you’ll guess it right, mom.'
She laughs.
At night, from her bedroom, she calls out:
'Oliver, are you here to stay for good?'
'Yes, I am.'
'I am so glad.'
'Goodnight.'
'Goodnight.'



Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, Ollie. what a marvelous son you were!
You know how much I love this. Besos to your ma. I don’t know the word in Portuguese. 💕