The White Armchair

Traduction Google de "Le Fauteuil Blanc"

Chapter 00: Preamble

-. Good Morning "The White Armchair," a strange title, enigmatic as in your previous book. What can a armchair inspire for you?

- (Smiles) Little priori and so much so That white flesh contains a secret. If my novel is pure fiction and fictional characters, the names, the environment and the house in question, are less so. A house in the Charleroi area in Jumet . Purpose again, the roles That my characters are playing, do not correspond to the names nor real life. They are Mentioned for ease of writing my own and have been warned in this direction. Their situations-have nothing to do with my story. They Will laugh When They read it.

- This is a fiction or a kind of story?

- A fiction, due to my imagination, an extrapolation from a Few Words I Learned about this house Where I Was, and That made ​​me think about Creating a plausible scenario selon the venerable age of ict walls. A mansion, as we say, once inhabited by masters and servants. A House That Had to own history-have ict, ict secrets. Transformed, restored, It Will end up in another life, you purchased --other by owners.

- A historical novel, Then?

- A romance with a wealthy family and Its members Sometimes tear 'em. I will not dwell on the subject, Because When I answer you, I myself am not out of my writing. In fiction, a series of events to discover the past, the life of a mother Who has died of a hemorrhage Overwhelming That nobody knows the origin. That Youth latent memories come back to the bottom of everyone's memory.

 

 

- You're still not getting out of writing? The story is written yet?

-. Absolutely . The writing is not complete There is no issue of publishing this story in a paper book. This is a test published on the Internet. I do not-have a literary education. The chosen publishing formula Will leave the story chapter by chapter (sometimes more than one, DEPENDING on the length) at the Sami usual weekly rate. One day a friend Told me, "You write like you Was programming in the past." missteps. Even I wrote a post at the time Entitled "Write analog digital gold. "

- A digital related story?

. - Not at all . I am telling you this Because in my business Then, There Were Known two things in advance in a project: the data processed To Be and the goal In the middle, a series of Processes to imagine to accomplish achieve this goal by using a structured skeleton attached to a creative process. Here we are Humans That HAS nothing to do what s'intitule "digital". The characters Will Find Themselves in a battle in search of Their Own benefits. The greatest existential battle Remains himself, as Said Douglas Kennedy.

- As for your weekly tickets, you stop publication?

-. Partially, but not completely Call usual These Notes Will Be inserted with this fiction, selon the news qui must not come off.

- Could you add a little more about your fiction?

- Basically, a banal story inheritance Into a wealthy family. Because death is Trivial share of life. In all families with children, There Are Often small as to redistribute The Following in the relay race of life. A relay race That I can not talk Because, now, I'm sour of one thing. The End of history in the last Yew book of Douglas Kennedy, There Were only "five days" to change life in mine, it is more historical impact unknowns That Will spring to the figure of thesis and children s' spread over more than five days with surprises along the way.

- You are walking us in time, In Some Ways?

I understand that my decisions may shock you, but it has been carefully considered. Manu is, in my view, whole part of the family and this house deserves since lived there with me much longer than both of you, my son, who are each went to live with your own respective families.

This does not result in blurred ground you. That would be the worst thing for me six feet under.

I implore you to stay happy as I was raising you.

Your mother, Julie Swenne widow Raymond Borre ".

His signature followed these words.

The drawl notary, who punctuated his sentences had stopped and his eyes flashed alternately on each side of his interlocutors and the paper he was reading.

Not a word came out. No reaction or playful or vengeful.

Silence, as if everyone was waiting for the result.

Both son looked, seriously. They wondered what they were going to argue or respond to this letter of wishes.

Manu had remained insensitive to the event. Impassive, his eyes said more along malice and the smile of Mona Lisa that she had imposed since the beginning does not come from his face. She was waiting for a result, but not that of his mother, that of his co-heirs.

She had always been more or less rejected by his half-brothers not always understand the reason, but in fact was a reason. This time, she triumphed in silence, standing out of convenience hat she had never left vis-à-vis them.

The notary went on.

- I see that you are not disputing the wishes of your mother. The decision of your mother seems entirely justified. As your mother, and his decision I was asked, I will make an inventory of assets. I presume that Manu has the keys of the house of Jumet. I have another bunch that I will keep for the moment with the file. Meanwhile, Manu will continue to maintain the house in good condition so that it does not remain uninhabited. Would you give me your respective bank accounts that I can turn you your due as soon as I completed the estate?

Everyone enrolled in the wake of a document requested references. The brothers rose together, Manu remaining seated as if she did not seem to have understood the scope of the post-mortem last gesture of his mother, he first offered his hand to help her up and hugged tour turn that of each son.

- With my condolences, "he hastened to add it.

The session was over for the notary.

At five, they then found themselves in the corridor of the study.

Antoine turned sharply to Manu and launched:

- I hope you're happy. Mom tried to reunite the family. You've seen his last moments and the house, you know all the latest corners. So the house is yours, "he said dismissively.

Manu felt the reproach full nose. She decided to feint.

- Do you not happy with this solution, you, Antoine ?, she replied, smiling

- Yes, yes ...

These words felt a little heated and bitterness. Manu did not know what they were hiding or what she could answer.

A smile for one answer. Michel remained in the back with his wife without words or other distinctive signs.

Behind Antoine, his wife showed more negative feelings footprint head, but did not dare to speak after her husband, who had always felt déforcée vis-à-vis Antoine, always on guard as Poodle in front of the large dog who had just sniffing her ass.

Manu felt it. It was this time won a victory over Antony, but was not it a Pyrrhic victory? When we fall horse should be back as soon as possible and Antoine could. In the hallway, out of a notary, she felt an electric animosity.

Michel, for cons, closer in age and in spirit Manu really seemed in keeping with the will of his mother. It had lasted enough, this latent animosity between the two brothers and their half-sister, was he thinking.

Everyone went back to his car and that was it, because everything was said. Flashback could occur after the consultations between spouses, but no one had come to this extremity, nor hoped at first.

Manu did not think that Anthony could have challenged the wishes of his mother.

How this could have heard, happened in the car of Antoine. It could have been scared.

A dialogue with his wife at his side:

- Did you see that bitch? She could not even take anything other than jeans come with the notary. Papa destined me this house and now my mother bequeathed to my half-sister. The right of first refusal for the elder does not exist ... I was furious.

- You're right. This house was sure she would return and our children could bequeath to our grandchildren. You only have to challenge the legacy.

The scene was set.

 

Chapter 1: At the notary

"Notary: Often the last act. "Tristan Bernard

Charleroi, Monday, July 2, 2001, 10:00 am.

Before the family notary heirs.

The notary is far from young. White hair on the temples when he left.

Office follows the style of its host. Heavy dusty curtains with tiebacks windows let light pass only very partially. Filter daylight seemed to be the major concern of the house. Everything had to be hushed up carpet.

In early July, the heat was moist. Almost stifling heat.

A large mahogany desk completed the impression of solemnity due to age.

The five people who go before him. In order, there was the eldest, Antoine, 54, and Michael, 34, and half-sister, Manu, 27 years.

After the handshakes, once seated, the notary began with a welcome speech.

The two were married son and their wives accompanied them on chairs back slightly. Manu, the first to arrive in the notary, unmarried.

The massive stature of the encircled Antoine in his chair with arms. Standing up, he had to brush the ninety meter. Sternly, tie adds a twist to its aspect of family patriarch that he had always assumed to have to take.

Antoine, in general, was unwavering firmness that did not like the opposition. A habit he had with the staff of the plant.

Michel was less imposing. His detachment was already reflected in his dress look more modern but still very stylish compared to Manu. Second knife, he remained very often between a rock and a hard place, like a weather vane between his brother and Manu.He also kept the softer and more affable with her.

The two brothers had blond hair and glasses on the nose and it gave a definite family resemblance.

No apparent complicity between brothers. They knew each other better, but nothing more. Go to the notary was obviously something solemn to the brothers and seriousness was required.

Right, Manu, the least participating in the event, remained the most cheerful, most social. Troublemaker, she seemed embarrassed to have been invited and be part of this legacy.

Five feet five, at first glance. Black hair.

She gesticulated in his chair, too big for her. As she had to wait in the waiting room, she already forced not to yawn.

If the stiffness of the interview seemed to give the general idea, she created the cons-weight.

The notary had noticed that there was clearly a physical separation between the two brothers and their wives on one side and their half-sister who was still a bit away. As none of the children are allowed to answer, he continued, after a smile.

- Again, hello, thank you all for three came to my study. As a Notary ministering in Charleroi, fire your mother that I have known has asked me to welcome you to execute his will. Died at the age of 63 when she was still in full possession of his intellectual, his death saddens me. A death quite startling that I learned from Manu, which does not give him much luck apparently. A few days ago, after coming to the hospital from what I understand. Manu was the first in the waiting room and she put me know. Two weeks have passed since the funeral, so I made ​​fast because I'm going on holiday soon. Also, will I read his will that I had for a few years in my study, no other document was delivered me from amending his personal decisions.

After these words, the notary paused and looked up, used to this kind of situation.

Be aware of the effects of a legacy heirs, he liked. Never enough of reactions can manifest the "happy few", there is always so much fun. Mimicry, their nerves were part of the good times of his profession. This time, he knew that the estate would not be limited to a few peanuts, but a small residual fortune. The main succession had already occurred once, after the death of the father of the two brothers. In this case, it was the estate of their mother at all.

- Your father, Anthony and Michael, I remember perfectly that he died in April 1973, when he was just 54 years old. After studying at the University of Ghent, I knew him when he arrived from Flanders to Wallonia fortune with the idea of an original manufacturing process of glass he installed in Jumet. The chemistry was his hobby and the least we can say is that we should not orient on this subject without reserving an exit door. He did well after starting his business he called "Verrochim" using the residues of coal processed by chemical processes which he had the secret. His clients, he sought to Sunday mass. Before that, during the war, he was strong and the knowledge of chemistry he had used to develop explosives. After the war, it was a time of prosperity in glassware for your father. Completely bygone era glory today. The father of Manu, I have however never met.

Another pause waiting for a response that never came. He continued.

- You, the son, so you have already received your part of legacy to his death. But your mother kept his share by marriage contract and usufruct of certain property and that's why you're here today. Antoine, how is the case that your father bequeathed you, since coal mining is not what it was?

- The company is not doing too badly. I switched to other more promising sectors, more modern. Thank you.

- As for you, Michel, I hope your doctor's office following a good lineage.

- In fact, the customer does not decrease and new customers come again.

- And you, Manu, I guess you're still a little young to have done career.

- I still have my anthropology and sociology studies in the head. I have not had time to practice my profession. I think that one day I will have to leave the country to exercise fully. In general, an orientation of this type of market is that in developing countries. As I like to travel, it is good.

- Very well. I'm glad to hear it. Your mother to all three held that, you Manu, are in the list of goods of his own estate. You all know that your mother had not remarried his second life companion. It disappeared shortly before your birth, Manu. I'll open the sealed envelope left by your mother and we discover the content.

The discovery of the inheritance, a word she used in other circumstances related to sociology. One would think that the notary liked that name "Manu", so that repeat each sentence.

The history of the family, the brothers knew by heart. The moods of their father. How often, in their youth, had they not received the "my time, it would not have spent so" when they derived their ways of thinking. Their father was what might be called a severe and charismatic nature, with the middle of Antoine and interpersonal skills better structured Michel. Manu was totally different. Finer, more slender with messy hair. More pink blue ...

In the room, plus a sound came to disturb the silence.

No obvious joy of both sides of the desk. That's something, says the lawyer.

He took a paper cutter on his desk and opened the letter while watching the three children before him. The award ceremony could begin ...

He caught a small accomplice glance between the two brothers, but he did not let see anything and began to read the handwritten letter.

My dear children,

Anthony and Michael, son of Raymond Borre

Manuella Swenne who took my name

Please find the time that must be painful for you, the decisions I have taken a long time about the legacy I will destine you after my death. These decisions were taken in full knowledge of the facts, as our lawyer will tell you.

My two dear son, you've already been able to grow the estate and your father's property at his death, bequeathed to Antoine a chemical plant which he had launched the activity and ensured the survival of his lifetime. Life being what it is, he passed away in the prime of life, a consequence of the so-called "following a long illness." Anthony, you've taken the lead. As for you Michael, the part he bequeathed thee allowed you to mount your medical practice. Manu arrived well after. That is why I asked that this time, it is part full of succession, even if it bears my name, the name I gave it willingly.

As I had a pretty simple life, I feel that there must be there still enough supplies on my bank accounts which our notary, again, has the list.

So I decided that you, my two son will receive a third of financial assets inventoried, while another third Manu will in addition to the house we occupied so many years together in Jumet before it will go into a student kot in Brussels. She was successful and currently has an acting role in a research laboratory.

I trust our notary. It will inventory that I have been able to make myself.

I understand that my decisions may shock you, but it has been carefully considered. Manu is, in my view, whole part of the family and this house deserves since lived there with me much longer than both of you, my son, who are each went to live with your own respective families.

This does not result in blurred ground you. That would be the worst thing for me six feet under.

I implore you to stay happy as I was raising you.

Your mother, Julie Swenne widow Raymond Borre ".

His signature followed these words.

The drawl notary, who punctuated his sentences had stopped and his eyes flashed alternately on each side of his interlocutors and the paper he was reading.

Not a word came out. No reaction or playful or vengeful.

Silence, as if everyone was waiting for the result.

Both son looked, seriously. They wondered what they were going to argue or respond to this letter of wishes.

Manu had remained insensitive to the event. Impassive, his eyes said more along malice and the smile of Mona Lisa that she had imposed since the beginning does not come from his face. She was waiting for a result, but not that of his mother, that of his co-heirs.

She had always been more or less rejected by his half-brothers not always understand the reason, but in fact was a reason. This time, she triumphed in silence, standing out of convenience hat she had never left vis-à-vis them.

The notary went on.

- I see that you are not disputing the wishes of your mother. The decision of your mother seems entirely justified. As your mother, and his decision I was asked, I will make an inventory of assets. I presume that Manu has the keys of the house of Jumet. I have another bunch that I will keep for the moment with the file. Meanwhile, Manu will continue to maintain the house in good condition so that it does not remain uninhabited. Would you give me your respective bank accounts that I can turn you your due as soon as I completed the estate?

Everyone enrolled in the wake of a document requested references. The brothers rose together, Manu remaining seated as if she did not seem to have understood the scope of the post-mortem last gesture of his mother, he first offered his hand to help her up and hugged tour turn that of each son.

- With my condolences, "he hastened to add it.

The session was over for the notary.

At five, they then found themselves in the corridor of the study.

Antoine turned sharply to Manu and launched:

- I hope you're happy. Mom tried to reunite the family. You've seen his last moments and the house, you know all the latest corners. So the house is yours, "he said dismissively.

Manu felt the reproach full nose. She decided to feint.

- Do you not happy with this solution, you, Antoine ?, she replied, smiling

- Yes, yes ...

These words felt a little heated and bitterness. Manu did not know what they were hiding or what she could answer.

A smile for one answer. Michel remained in the back with his wife without words or other distinctive signs.

Behind Antoine, his wife showed more negative feelings footprint head, but did not dare to speak after her husband, who had always felt déforcée vis-à-vis Antoine, always on guard as Poodle in front of the large dog who had just sniffing her ass.

Manu felt it. It was this time won a victory over Antony, but was not it a Pyrrhic victory? When we fall horse should be back as soon as possible and Antoine could. In the hallway, out of a notary, she felt an electric animosity.

Michel, for cons, closer in age and in spirit Manu really seemed in keeping with the will of his mother. It had lasted enough, this latent animosity between the two brothers and their half-sister, was he thinking.

Everyone went back to his car and that was it, because everything was said. Flashback could occur after the consultations between spouses, but no one had come to this extremity, nor hoped at first.

Manu did not think that Anthony could have challenged the wishes of his mother.

How this could have heard, happened in the car of Antoine. It could have been scared.

A dialogue with his wife at his side:

- Did you see that bitch? She could not even take anything other than jeans come with the notary. Papa destined me this house and now my mother bequeathed to my half-sister. The right of first refusal for the elder does not exist ... I was furious.

- You're right. This house was sure she would return and our children could bequeath to our grandchildren. You only have to challenge the legacy.

The scene was set.

Chapter 02: The Return

"Autopsy: it allows others to see what we could never see yourself," Maurice Ferrand

In the car, Manu seemed to drive controller. All the memories came back in random sequence. His mother was before his eyes, but she kept bickering in the past with his half-brothers.

Antoine, had been, in most cases, the shot knife relations. Not on the price of potatoes, of course. In a family of wealthy, it would not pass the ramp. They were conflicts of authority. Machismo against feminism. The tendency to play Antoine householder, to Michael, his spokesman and his half-sister's scapegoat the godfather who prints his older brother's personality.

Each time, Manu rebelled rise as she relaxed on a spring to the first prank.

His mother had played the buffer between them. Come, we must "keep the church in the village", as he fished in a very religious instruction.

In that moment, Manu remembered especially the last moments of her mother. Her little thin hand in his in his last sigh.

Died of internal bleeding, okay, that was the official version. That's what the doctor had told him coming out of the recovery room.

But still, bleeding caused by what? Her mother had never had health problems before. It was built in stone as everyone was amused to repeat it.

Despite attempts to Manu, the doctor did not say anything more. He was only identified the shoulders only.

No autopsy obviously, since if it was necessary, it was exactly where it was necessary to do so. The explanation she had read in the dictionary for bleeding was bleeding outside its natural circuit formed between the heart and blood vessels. Apart from the natural circuit? There, it was the ink bottle that had its neck fart. The age of the mother, barely 63, was not of those who were in the middle of female mortality in 2001.

A premature exit runway when the active life? Anything else? A little thin anyway to Manu eyes.

That her mother would not return, nothing foreshadowed an hour to call the ambulance to Manu and who knows, her mother herself. Call an ambulance, it was a first for Manu. Feverish, she strums the figures of 900 on the phone to call for help.

With the stress and fear that the ambulance did not arrive too late, she had accompanied him into the recovery room. His mother had only time to take a last look at her glassy.

Decidedly, Manu, his death remain a mystery unanswered. For his half-brothers when they arrived in the evening in the hospital, it was simply a shorter life than others as a conclusion of an active life. First, Manu did not understand their composure. She was crying, but the tears had not yet touched. Later perhaps, she thought.

June, a hollow month, she had come to live in the house of Jumet and she had no feeling that fatigue was starting period for his mother.

Concern of the moment, go home quickly.

Already, she wondered what she was going to make this big house. Too big for her alone. Bourlingueuse at heart, this house was in conflict with his desire not to settle. With his anthropologist profession, sociologist in her luggage, she saw run the world.

- Okay, we'll see what I do, she thought.

Manu had lived so far no real love life. Meetings with one or two students but suites. Absorbed in his studies, his dreams about the world and do not have to ask anyone's permission to go where it wanted.

Already very young, she felt different from his half-brothers and sometimes his own girlfriends classes who thought only fall into the arms of an older student she more willing to have a degree under the arm. Manu was the love of ideas, but no physical love.

Its flexible dress side was marrying his way of being. Feminine, delicate, yet she often dressed like a boy. The messy hair completed the picture she had wanted to create his own image.

At a crossroads, caught in his reveries, Manu had to brake in disaster as the anguished but vindictive horn of a truck. She had forgotten to observe the priority of the intersection.

She stopped at the curb, frightened by his mistakes and lack of clarity in traffic. She rubbed her eyes instinctively regain consciousness.

It had to happen to follow the entire greeting his mother. Subsided, she resumed the road, even more slowly, taking more care to the demands of traffic.

After the road leading to the house, it was the streets of Jumet to get there. His car could remember, given the number of times she had borrowed them, but she was not in its normal state.

After the last roundabout, the house finally appeared.

She had left, there were these few days but she seemed strangely different to him.

Different because it was she who, this time, had the sesame as the owner. Nobody that would meet its double bell rang for the password when her mother had the task.

The metal gate was a sinister creaking noise on the floor slabs after turning the key in the lock. Nothing has changed and yet a sense of "new" that she had never had before.

Behind her, a neighbor, Mrs. Sornin, who had to watch the scene behind her window, ran.

- Hello, Manu. I learned that your mother had died in hospital. I came to the church the day of the funeral. There were many people and stayed in the shadows.

- Yes, ma'am Sornin.

Imperceptibly, a tear rolled down her face without being able to retain, at the same time.

- My dear Manu. I'm so sorry. My condolences. I'm so well known your mother. You, for that matter ..

It was the first time that the neighboring Manu familiar terms.

- She Suffered? When I saw her go in the ambulance, I had goosebumps. I feared the worst. And he happened.

- Yes, she has not had much time to suffer. At first, during the crisis; certainly. Then we should have to give him morphine for the pain. She stayed two days in intensive care. Starting today, you'll see me more often. I moved here, not necessarily permanently, but for a while. The house is too big for me alone. My little apartment in Brussels will become a home from home, the time that I put some order in the house. My mother bequeathed me his estate and I have to maintain it.

- Very good news, for cons. I've known you for so long. You were not more than that. In recent years, you've always been to your mother, even when you lived Brussels. She told me that you phone him often to give him news of your studies. She was very proud that you went out thee well. Voluntary knowing you, I trust in your success.

- Thank you for your trust and wishes to see me as neighbor.

The lady turned around after a wave of the hand.

- Do not hesitate to come and get me if you need anything. I leave you, I expect my husband. He will be surprised to learn that you have made ​​you here as a neighbor. You've always been more inclined to attend the big cities.

This remark surprised Manu. Fun feel that we give to people, she thought. Attend major cities, because it was taking courses and working in Brussels, his neighbor was not inclined to understand and to contradict it.

Manu climbed the few steps and entered the house she had not had time to close all the key doors.

Before it, the grand staircase leading upstairs. We were in the summer and the sun could warm the house. Moisture was nevertheless crept in troubled party. Last summer storm was punctuated with small heat waves.

The sun high in the sky, no longer had conceded its rays on the high ceilings of the house, but the light was there in every corner.

She turned and opened the hall on the left.

It was the room she knew best out of the small room upstairs which had been her home when younger, she was in the house.

A room divided into two parts with the dining room centered by a long table surrounded by high chairs.

Rich fireplaces in both rooms. Made of white marble with inlaid marble other colors and two horses in high relief, in the center.

In one corner, a grand piano on which she had the pleasure of hearing his mother play and learn music theory, without going as far as it.

Often Chopin, Rachmaninov, and some other favorite composers, his mother adored.

This piano was part of the furniture as if it were a wardrobe. He completed harmoniously all that her mother in store for art.

Then it had faded. When Manu asked her to play, she shyly replied:

- I am too old. My fingers are no longer following notes as I would like.

Manu never insisted. The keys always kept the same brightness without dust. His mother should continue to play in secret, without spectators.

Chapter 03: Getting into memories

"It is not enough to have good ideas, we must act. If you have need of milk, do not install on a stool in the middle of a field in the hope that spends cow. "Curtis Grant

Manu pretended to rediscover the scene. A tour of the property while she knew almost every corner of the house. A mansion built to match the ideal of the first husband of his mother ... Great, too much ...

She had to tell his mother, one day, while she was living alone most of the time even if there was someone who had to do maintenance every week.

This time, the house she became the owner, was different. She felt it and knew why.

She went upstairs, put a little since the order had left in a hurry. She smoothed the sheets and comforter, remained a mess on the bed

This time Manu was alone in charge. It had to make its mark without receiving advice.

It is true that the order had not been a priority for her mother for some time. Manu contrived to do behind it, when present, she could not be blamed him.

Allow the atmosphere, slightly bohemian, had definitely taken his mother did not displease him completely elsewhere.

When she wanted to do more, she had been answered by his mother.

-Manu, Please you, let the house in the state. I like it as it is and someone comes every week for this. If things are not like before, me neither, I am no more. My memory recalls only the place where I left things. If you leave it too much order, I will no longer find them.

Manu had not insisted and never again, she had offered to help too effective, too orderly.

The chairs on the table, it was the floor cleaning with water. This was to give a facelift to the whole.

It took two hours to restore a semblance of order, just for the ground floor.

Happy, she sat in the place took his mother in the white chair near the fireplace. She watched the great and beautiful fireplace, all dressed in rare marble.

As she noticed that the leather chair was worn, cracked in several places, she rose with the intention to return the part of the chair that had suffered much under the buttocks of his mother.

Surprise, then this is a sealed letter, stuck to the back of the cushion, appeared. Besides a large agenda.

What she could do that?

She had been forgotten and not sent to the recipient?

On the envelope, only these handwritten words:

To my dear daughter, Manu. To be opened after my death.

Moved, Manu held the letter in both hands.

This situation lasted well wait a minute, if not two, to read the header and return. The time was no longer valid and it would have been worthwhile to evaluate seconds.

Finally, she went for a paper cutter in the office next door.

With a slight degree of excitement, she cut the portion of the letter and began to read.

May 20, 2001.

Dear Manu,

This letter follows my will that the notary had to make you share, as well as your half brothers, Anthony and Michael.

I had to add an annex that was meant more to you personally. I knew you would discover the since you became the owner of the house at that time. I sat mostly in the chair so that you do not discover this letter in my lifetime.

You were the last to join me in our home. I have always appreciated your presence, your blows almost daily over during your studies. They put balm on my heart and strengthened my pride to yourself. I've never told you, I liked you better although I have never been felt to Anthony and Michael.

I would not have been a good mother if it had been otherwise, and if I left feeling too strong. You were, all three of my children.

My son still my son and I would have done anything to protect them.

You remained unmarried and I took the opportunity, I admit. I hope you do not make me responsible. I never forced you to accompany me in my old age. But you did better than you think. In the end, you took the lead in my pleasure. So I had more time to appreciate you.

I feel my strength fails me. Some stomach cramps coming back. I did not say anything to you, but lately, I do not feel well.

That's why I wrote that letter.

I can now confess some things of my own history and that I never tell anyone.

There was a large age difference between the father of Anthony and Michael and myself.

Nineteen years old, it does not feel at first, but with age it seems to grow.

Their father was often become cantankerous and authoritarian towards the end of his relatively short life. By agreeing to marry me, I gave up an international career as a pianist could have been beautiful. He would not have accepted. For him, a woman had to stay home and educate children. Early marriage went well with him. But after the birth of Anthony, our intimate relationships became scarce, this, perhaps, because it made ​​me feel more and more that it was he who brought the finances at home. The plant and especially the money she brought was his whole life. He never beaten but his words were worth sometimes slaps intensity.Psychological violence to belittle me to my furnace since the arts including myself, do nothing reported. He came home late. The time he spent was becoming restricted and I thought he was cheating on me. I manage to expect. I had become dry, cloistered in the house, I had always wanted to laugh at everything and nothing. Michel has been more the result of rape as a common desire to have a brother Antoine.

He smoked a lot. Then there was a lung cancer. I nursed him as best I could, but the passion was gone.

When he died, I was lovesick for a long time and somehow released from his sarcasm.

In his will he bequeathed his business to Anthony, some financial support to Michael and the rest was mine.

I was still young and ready to change my life as a woman. This was the case when your father came almost by accident.Coincidence that makes things so well. I appeal to society to restore some things in the house and it was loaded.

This dates back to the end of 1973. He was Portuguese. A man from the south and had warm blood. He told me a few scattered elements of his life.

He had Expatriate because before the Carnation Revolution, the political situation had scared him, he told me. In no time, it was love at first sight between him and me. He loved life, Was as handsome as a god, idealistic and always laughing. It Looked Like You With His jet black hair. The money Was not His purpose and we loved like crazy.

I wanted Him to come live with me in the house. I glimpsed a new life and great was my Enthusiasm.

This love Does not please your Stepbrothers. Mainly Antoine Was MOST negative in this union. As for Michael as he did Followed His Brother His shadow ... My sister, your aunt saw fit to reading. I returned in the Garden of Eden, the place it shoulds never-have left and I cut ties with her ​​for Some Time. Your father and I did HAD nothing to do With Their judgment.

Then it Was a natural consequence, You Were Conceived. Your arrival Was scheduled for August. This event, I Held secret to your father. I do not really know why, Either. Perhaps embarrassed That it happens so late, or the fact que la Seemed too good future and That Could your arrival tarnish our love.

One day, Carlos, your father left and never returned, without showing anything of what HAD beens Decided. This Was to hide something. A sudden love, unaware That You Were in preparation. Gone forever. I searched. Was he returned to Portugal? When he wrote in Portugal, I Noted the address written on one de son letters. Sagres in the Algarve, from whence he cam. I have written several times. I never received a response. Perhaps a language problem HAD LED mine in a trash can. Perhaps, Was It the address of a relative. I do not know why.

Your Father Had aussi Evaporated to His use, Who Was in the Sami expectation hast All That HAD Neither he nor received Sought His Last salary.

Then Passed time. I Resigned. You were going to get seven months after. I lacked nothing viable financially. You est devenu a child of love in absentia, the one You Were going to replace all my thoughts.

Your father, unknown to you, remain in my intimate memories and you, Who est devenu my favorite, my tender Manu.

I am very sorry That You About did not know your father. So I thing Easier solution by speaking of Him as if he Were Dead-have THUS Abebooks web sites and to interpret His death in the Same Way I Michel and Anthony.

Larger, you left for your studies. Someone Had to tell you a little truth about your father. I know, too, That share of the story.

When you-have Chosen to follow the sociology of education, I did not know what That entailed. I Went to inform me in the dictionary and when to I Realized That this profession try trying to Understand human social relations, I Never Told You, how great was my pride qui you-have bestowed on me.

If you read this letter, is que la notary HAS icts job done. To me, It Was That You return home normal.

Attached to this letter, the agenda That I used to remember your phone calls, I Had to tell you, your Successes and reciprocal penalties not to see more of. You'll find a small personal composition That I-have scribbled.

If You Had one day want to find your father is still alive, the address I Had used in my research at the time. Your father's Name Was Carlos Da Silva. The address I used to find Him, Was estrada Cabo de San Vicente, 5 at Sagres.

It Will take you back in time and die if you wish to find Him, His past and the Reasons For His flight.

- In fact, we stayed around mom in the living room. A talk about the rain, snow and children. Never, how would the business and what they understand.

Since you left home to marry, there must be things that had to change out the order that I have brought.

- I'm sure it will amuse me to follow you.

Manu, in good guide, followed by Michael, went out into the other rooms that do not lacked. She was playing like crazy to play this role as hostess as if she was going to sell it to a prospective buyer. It showed the molded ceilings that room rehearsing room and that it was a little cool but betrayed a time of splendor, rich time of all those moments which indicated a certain snobbery.

- To my right is the kitchen. Before you, the first bedroom for guests. If you want you could ever go through it. I still have the garden to clear brush. You could arrive at a significant help, she made a great smile.

- Stop. You take me for a garden? Maintaining a garden is not my thing. Do not you remember? I was pretty little book and I missed when I was trying everything.

- Ok I get it.. Forget it. It was a joke. I do not force you. I always love the roses in the garden. This does not mean that you could one day occupy the room. A detail if it is outside of the summer, it will add an extra heater in the bedroom. A quilt would not suffice. Remember, Mom accustomed us to rough it in this big house. To warm up, we had to settle near the fireplace in the living room. The other rooms remained icy.

- That's right. I remember. Mom was a bit stingy, right?

- A little, yes. I have seen multiple times. From what I learned about your father, she was in good hands. He who ....

- Papa was, even more, you are quite right. Still riding on its finances. It was almost a disease of love he had deflected the contemplation of its banknotes. But continue. I see you like playing guide. I spot and compares, along with my memories. I will report to you all the news that do not fit them.

- Do you remember the game room?

- Where there is a pool table? At the front of the house?

- Yes I Am. There, where there was a pool table. Billiards disappeared shortly after you left. Mom felt that it was not a game for a girl.

The word "Albufeira" she remembered it. It was the name of the town she had passed on the way from Faro. Back to square one.

She even tried to speak English.

She did not know how to say "thank you" in Portuguese. The word "Obrigado" was unknown.

- "Gracias," she said with a wide smile and a wave of the hand to the temple in the form of salvation.

She picked up the taxi and asked the driver to take her to the nearest train station.

There was no question that she returned with the same taxi. This has lead too far in the evening and she wanted to arrive before dark.

The train that would bring in Albufeira leaving in fifteen minutes. A ticket at the counter and then wait, baggage foot.

The adventure of the day was not over yet, only the sun had forfeited in a glowing sunset.

It was that of fado give the atmosphere.

This fado so interpreted by Amalia Rodriguez who left this earth there 2 years, that voice that all the Portuguese wanted to keep forever in their heart.

Chapter 04: The against-coup

You say you love flowers and you cut their tail, you say you love dogs and you put them on a leash, you say you love birds and you put them in a cage, you say you love me, then, I'm afraid, "Jean Cocteau

Manu gasped.

Deeply disturbed, she learned everything, like a hammer blow and tears softly beaded cheeks.

She read the letter from his mother.

Too much information combined in this page of life.

To be the preferred and not be able to shout from the rooftops not to offend.

The father of his half-brothers, become tyrannical.

Michel, conceived in the violence of a disguised rape.

The virtuoso pianist gifts her mother enjoyed and which she had to give.

No, there were too many black dots in this letter.

Her mother had written on May 20, few days before his death, as if she had felt his end was near.

A Death Foretold, due to fatigue? It was a bit lighter.

Positives, yet ...

His father, handsome as a god, had humor and like him. The news did him good and evil at the same time, despite the flight of his father for some reason always remained unknown by his mother.

This letter was written to reveal the truth. The death of his father, Manu knew knew it was not what was told him. Young, she had never dared to start a conversation on this topic annoying with his mother until the day she tried to learn more from Michael. This story was, however, not entirely clear.

The agenda accompanying the letter corresponded to 2000. Written in the way of a diary, it included some notes on every day of the year. Sometimes a poem, written very quickly, not free of erasures. Inserted into the agenda, a score written on music paper.Folded on itself, it had to have been visited by an eraser several times.

She had an irresistible urge to play it on the piano.

She had no trouble deciphering the notes. At the piano, she obviously does not have the dexterity of his mother. Gently, she read the score and a few false notes out in. She began a first, a second and as the music took shape, the sounds of the past in memory came back to him in a whisper as sung by his mother without her noticing.

She traveled back in time and memories to insert his own at least those which it was aware.

Manu was born in July 1974. His father had to appear in the life of his mother, a year before, after the death of the father of Anthony and Michael.

This famous 1974 Carnation Revolution in Portugal, she had visited Belgium, as a haven of peace, an emigrant? She plunged into encyclopaedia which advocated the library.

The 70s, a troubled time in Portugal, during which the policy had taken aspects of revolution.

It read: "President of the Council, Marcelo Caetano, refused the proposal of António de Spinola, to find a political solution to the war in Guinea, a colonial war he considered lost saw the huge losses and very affected morale the troops. He no longer accepting to wear the hat of errors of the regime and its African policy.

Spinola fails the first time to overthrow the President of the Republic in order to influence government decisions. The malaise of the Army is obvious. In March 1974 Spínola resigns noting that the positions taken on during the Portuguese colonial policy became unbearable face the ultras of the regime. A group of military officers decided to intervene immediately. The opposition was controlled by militias of power. ".

His father had felt insecure and had been obliged to emigrate before the takeover of the military. Which camp, was his father during the dictatorship for fleeing Portugal in 1973, before the revolution? An unanswered question.

The phone rang.

Michael was on the line.

- Hi Manu. I hope you commend you mom's death. I have not said before smala family, but I'm very happy for you Mom making.The house is yours by right. You've occupied with it for so many years and its end of life passed, usually in your company. My brother and I are married, we will have a little sacrifice to the task.

- Have you known my own father?

A question that burned Manu's lips.

- I was very young, but know that I loved your father. He was a nice guy. There was Antoine who, immediately, was contrary to the union with her ​​mom and above all, that it integrates the family and come live with her.

- Thank you for your comforting words, Michel. They go straight to my heart. I always regretted not having known my father. I still do not know completely what happened to him. You told me that he was not dead like Mom had told me. If you want one day we could meet again to discuss it.

- I'd be very happy too. This has gone on long enough animosity between us, created from scratch by Antoine. So we phone a little later?

- Good idea. See you later.

Manu had hung up. She had not mentioned the letter from her mother she had just discovered. This was to remain in broad terms, a secret between her and her mother.

Later, if the need arose, it would be time to use it and release some flanges of the letter of what she had learned.

She had not many illusions to be on family reconciliations. This kind of family opposition encrusted like a bone cancer, if not in the genes.

The next day it was the turn of the first floor. There, there were only of the order to recover. It was necessary to cool the walls, ceilings and wood floors that old crackled underfoot or were cracking in places.

All this had so far not touched the spirit of Manu. Even if she could realize it, it could have rush the tranquility of his mother.

But this time, she was only master on board with a captain's soul to the short length.

The cupboards were full, too full. This was necessary to inventory and get rid of everything that was no reason to exist. The center of the room became a shambles of waste before being transferred to the old container garden.

At other times of the week was devoted to it.

In a box, she found old photos.

One of them, represented his mother, father and two son seated. Others were of the same story.

In the lot, she found none of his father.

Unbelievable. Hard to believe that there is never any photos of this couple who loved the words of his mother. It is as if she had eliminated or she had not wanted to trace the passage of his father.

Manu began to look as if this task was becoming an obsession. His research remained fruitless. In the attic, even finding.

Tired from the heat that reigned there, she stopped her research and threw a glance by the statement skylight.

In the foreground, the large walled garden and neighboring houses all all with a certain nostalgia that poverty that the region could not hide.

The best years of Walloon glory were already far away, lost in the throes of unemployment that racked by massive blow to heavy industry.

Everything Manu saw on the horizon was a general gray tone.

The sun, accomplice, was hidden behind the clouds and accented printing.

In the distance, Manu let his eyes wander from tips of the region, to rest as vestiges of a bygone era. The collieries were silent. They had nothing to do, though. They could still provide this beautiful black coal, but the operation was not profitable enough, too clean or too dangerous. The gas blast of the month August 1956 the mine Bois du Casier, had put a stop to this exploitation often done by Italian immigrants. In an even more remote past, children had worked fifteen hours a day in these mines.

Since 1977, following the merger of Commons, Jumet came to swell the territory of the city of Charleroi, making it the most populous of Wallonia. The 1973 oil crisis had put Belgium knees hitting the brunt of the aging structures of Wallonia now ready to sink into the dark years of the recession, strikes and demonstrations. In the late 1970s, the second oil crisis caused an acute crisis that exploded debt, precipitating the collapse of the steel industry, which added even austerity in the years of lead. Bloodless, Hainault had fortunately received for seven years, until 1999, the European subsidies.

Now, thirty glorious years of euphoria really part of the past. A glorious past that Manu had not lived, but his mother had spoken with many details. She had known that the slow decline of Wallonia with the desire to establish federalism in the country.

With these moments of reverie met the silence and gave a strange feeling of fullness and loneliness that did not displease Manu.

She smiled imperceptibly, remembering his youth and the culture shock and consciences she had known since his youth.

When his mother came to settle in Flanders and Wallonia had married his stepfather, everything was different. The Flemish language, often rocky, had gradually faded even at the family table. Forgotten, even become taboo to respond to a winning policy.The Walloon were used, they had tried as Italian gibbering with immigrants.

A different time, which was about one day a turnaround.

Output dreams of the past, but mostly annoyed not to have found pictures of her father, she said it was the first information to ask Michel to break this riddle around him and find out who had been his father. She went down on the ground floor.

Less than an hour later, the phone rang again.

- Hello, here the Versaillet notary.

- Hello Master.

- I got a phone call from your brother Antoine. He asked if there was a way to challenge the decisions related to the will of your mother.

- He dared. He seemed not to have had the urge when we parted.

- I guess the idea had come to him afterwards. When I told him that your mother decided it perfectly healthy and sane, that will was perfectly legal, as the birthright which he boasted, was not playing, he pointed.

- What does he want? I vacate my rights, my legacy?

- I told him that if he wanted the home, he only had to redeem you. There, he's downright angry stating "buy what comes to me, you do not think." I had good reason with him, he stayed his ground and threatened to put the estate in the hands of a lawyer.

The conversation was interrupted for a few seconds before Manu catch her ​​breath.

- But just in case, I decide to sell, you gave an estimate of the house and made ​​an offer to buy, just to put him in his place, I suppose.

- In fact, I spoke to an amount between eight and ten million Belgian francs, minimum.

- Dear Master, could I ask you to give him my answer, if he ever changed his mind?

- Of course.

- Tell him that I am not currently saleswoman and can go to court if it wants to.

- I understand your reaction. He has no chance. Sorry to have disturbed you. I continue my lawyer working in search of your mother assets on different accounts. I will give you news as soon as soon as I come to conclusions, but it will take some time, vacation time oblige. Good day and goodbye.

The conversation stopped and Manu hung up the phone flip keeping the horn in his hands.

She stayed motionless for long minutes, taken aback by that new smoker. Antoine wanted the house, even forcing of justice. Why such insistence?

In the evening, she called Michael.

- I come back to your suggestion to visit me. Can we see next week here at home. I do not know enough about your wife.Moreover, I have already given some order. I am looking for pictures of my father. Do you know if there somewhere?

- I know your mother loved your father Carlos.Tu still know the name of your father, at least? She spun the great love with him.Pictures, there should be some, but I have no idea where you could find. The house is huge and full of nooks and crannies. Search again before I came. I can free myself Tuesday afternoon, it suits you?

- This is perfect for me.

- I will pick with you if you have not found it. I will not speak of my visit to Anthony. Not sure he is delighted.

- Of that I'm sure. I do not care because that Anthony does not like me, especially as married, he had already left home when I was born. I'll teach you something about her that will either make you smile or surprise you. This is perfect for Tuesday from 14 hours. We can remember the good times we spent together. I should also plant some flowers in the garden. It is more than time. I had neglected and dad did not push me to maintain it. I leave you. I am delighted to see you next week.

- I, too, Manu. I'm curious. At Tuesday.

She hung up and continued cleaning of all parts of the attic.

Who knows, maybe there she found memories of his father where it was not passed as was the case of the letter from his mother under the white chair.

Chapter 05: The visit .

"Sometimes I wonder if men and women are made to live together. Maybe they should just be neighbors and go visit time to time. "Katharine Hepburn

Tuesday, Manu had early lift to get Michael.

She began to make out the latest dust, ensuring that few cobwebs do not hang in the corner. In a big house, many angles, preferably inaccessible, are still the haunt of small nasty beasts.

Once finished the first floor. she had cleared everything that could hinder the harmony of the ground floor.

The attic had remained as it was with his trunks and old cabinets.

They had not revealed more photos of his father.

On the ground floor, the living room table was prepared. On a white tablecloth, a basket of flowers, another fruit and sweet or savory appetizers prominently.

Michel arrived on time. She greeted with much more heat than the notary jumping to her neck.

- So, you found ?, he launched immediately.

No hesitation in what he had to find.

- No, nothing. It's absolutely bizarre, it's as if my father had never existed. You know that Mom had told me at the start he was dead. I learned from a letter she left me never attended a place in the house that my father could still live somewhere in Portugal.

Do not stay there on the porch, we'll talk about it inside. It's too hot and the house still has a bit of freshness. You will not recognize the house and I can tell you that making the order was not cotton. Mom kept all of his past. Besides, pictures of that time who prepared my pregnancy as I could see.

- Well, another question. Since the visit to the notary, have you heard from Antoine ?, questioned Manu.

- No, why? You good?

- Yes, through the notary.

- Oh! And what did he say?

- Antoine tried to challenge the mom will and thought to the matter in the hands of justice.

- Here is the top. It really is inflated.

- As the notary discouraged him. He even offered to buy the house.

- What do you think? Are you interested?

- No, not this time. I'm not a salesperson. I do not know why, but this great little place, I still care. And he apparently just as much. Let's make the tour of the owner together.

- Okay. I'm you. Strange nonetheless. It is as if there was a secret behind these walls.

This remark, Manu sometimes felt but she kept printing and interpretation for it.

They entered the large room on the ground floor.

Inside, Michel continued to think out loud.

- About the photos, really weird that you say. Your mother obviously, loved Carlos, why did she not keep pictures of their love.

- If you give me the answer, I will set to square the circle in which I wade past few days.

- Let me back into the atmosphere of the house. It will remind me of good memories with you than my own brother. There is a generation between him and me. It was my guardian before I reach my majority. When we were young, I've seen much more as a sister. Seven years between you and me. I remember as boy, proud, baby I held you in my arms.

- I was not too inconvenient?

- On the contrary, you always laughing. Turbulent, yes, but so much fun. Always smiling. We lost a few years no longer patronize us. We see at Christmas with Mom, did not help. Stun evenings banalities, ultimately. Without telling truths to clarify unspoken.

- In fact, we stayed around mom in the living room. A talk about the rain, snow and children. Never, how would the business and what they understand.

Since you left home to marry, there must be things that had to change out the order that I have brought.

- I'm sure it will amuse me to follow you.

Manu, in good guide, followed by Michael, went out into the other rooms that do not lacked. She was playing like crazy to play this role as hostess as if she was going to sell it to a prospective buyer. It showed the molded ceilings that room rehearsing room and that it was a little cool but betrayed a time of splendor, rich time of all those moments which indicated a certain snobbery.

- To my right is the kitchen. Before you, the first bedroom for guests. If you want you could ever go through it. I still have the garden to clear brush. You could arrive at a significant help, she made ​​a great smile.

- Stop. You take me for a garden? Maintaining a garden is not my thing. Do not you remember? I was pretty little book and I missed when I was trying everything.

- Ok I get it.. Forget it. It was a joke. I do not force you. I always love the roses in the garden. This does not mean that you could one day occupy the room. A detail if it is outside of the summer, it will add an extra heater in the bedroom. A quilt would not suffice. Remember, Mom accustomed us to rough it in this big house. To warm up, we had to settle near the fireplace in the living room. The other rooms remained icy.

- That's right. I remember. Mom was a bit stingy, right?

- A little, yes. I have seen multiple times. From what I learned about your father, she was in good hands. He who ....

- Papa was, even more, you are quite right. Still riding on its finances. It was almost a disease of love he had deflected the contemplation of its banknotes. But continue. I see you like playing guide. I spot and compares, along with my memories. I will report to you all the news that do not fit them.

- Do you remember the game room?

- Where there is a pool table? At the front of the house?

- Yes I Am. There, where there was a pool table. Billiards disappeared shortly after you left. Mom felt that it was not a game for a girl.

- Let's go. And billiards with which I am swamps with Antoine on a good day, what happened? I remember we had to replace the green carpet after I have scraped the tail. Dad loved to play chess in the living room with Antoine. I, as I did not lose and I could not stay focused enough long time, I did beat too easily. Billiards, sold I suppose?

Manu, still proud hostess, returned to the front of the house and went into the room before answering.

- I do not remember. You see, there is now a new sleeper chair and a table for guests. It has been used once for a friend of mine.Take the stairs and go up to the first one. From there, you will also have a general view of the garden.

- OK. At the top, there was room but no bathroom, I remember.

- No, now there is one. She was also installed after you left. We become modern in the house. We must not be fooled by appearances, they can be misleading.

The smiles of Michael and Manu laughter added to the ambiance of the visit. Without knowing it, she had real saleswoman giving what could have raised in an estate agency.

- And in all these closets, you do not find anything like memories of your father?

- No, that's what upsets me. You know me. I did not give up very quickly. I spent hours to restore order while searching for photos in shoeboxes that I found. Nothing that had belonged to my father, I had to withdraw. In the house, no memories of Portugal, who had no clothes belonged to my father. Nothing. I do not even know what head he could have.

- There, I can find you some. Like I said, I was still young. He had jet black hair. Smaller than dad. He had an exotic accent and singing. I'm sure he would've liked. For me it was the case at the first contact.

I repeat, there was Antoine to be obstinate. He could probably your father as a usurper in the family.

- Thank you, Michel. You comforted me. Mom said she sought my father when he left that day before my birth, never to return, as a deserter. According to her, she wrote to the address she knew him in Portugal. You do not know if it was the police or researched notice in the region?

- No, I do not know, I was only six years old and I was not interested in that. If it had seemed worried, she did not let it. From what you told me attempting to Antoine, recover the house and his attitude at the notary, you expect that it is bent on you to get you home?

- Antoine, to know it with its limitations, his desires, his whims and answer your question, I would see a little more often than during the Christmas awake nights. I am very far from the spirit of Antoine. He does not know me, I do not know. Less one sees, the better.

- That's right, you're right. He's my brother, but I do not have much more contact with him than you.

But I think, and if you were on site in Portugal? This is perhaps not the best season. There must be very hot, but you could try to find your father is still living.

- I have thought. I've never been to Portugal. Dad should be younger than mom. This is already an index.

- You'll make discoveries going back to basics. I almost envy you. If my office does not take up all my time, I'd go with you. This is the high season of the guards and I can not leave him. Let me know when you go and write me. I will be very happy to follow my Sherlock Holmes, sister.

Manu took no notice of the remark and continued her role as hostess.

What exclamations of surprise when Michael found a piece of furniture handed him the memories in turmoil.

Soon they came down to take the lunch that looked the can of coffee that was enough to put in battery.

- If you want, I could look for a travel agency based in Portugal, announced Michel excited about his proposal, which obviously pleased Manu.

- I've never worked in a travel agency, but when I was a student, I had a friend who could advise me, Manu replied with a smile.

Chapter 06: The departure.

"Striving for completion, it is back to its starting point. "Colette

The next day, Manu thought send a new letter to the address of the letter was indicated in his mother.

She gave it up.

Why would I be more successful now that my mother, there are more than twenty years? she thought.

Moreover, this would not find his father if he was still alive.

Manu telephoned this old friend who worked in a travel agency.

- Go to Sagres, Portugal, as I do you propose?

- To fly to Faro. There is nothing better.

- You make me reserve a place?

- I look at the availability ... It's Ok, next Tuesday at 11:25 from Charleroi to "Brussels South". Faro, there is a train to Sagres.Brussels, it will take a few more days. And ...

- You do not know, but I'm in the Charleroi region. So it's perfect for me. In terms of train, I will notify locally. Sagres is not far from Faro. By taxi it would go, right?

- Yes, it would perhaps even easier.

Starting tasks are chained one after another in a random order at times.

Tell the neighbor, Mrs. Sornin, she would be absent for an indefinite period, asking him to take a look at the house.

Remove the bag from the closet for a hasty departure of variable length.

Renounce the Brussels apartment or find a friend who would take over the lease temporarily or permanently.

Convert a few Belgian silver escudos.

Another call to Michel to warn of his departure and asking him to inform themselves about any legal consequences that Antoine could have undertaken.

That's what she did first.

- Hi Michael, I'll be gone next Tuesday.

- I wish to make a beautiful journey through space and also in time.

- That's exactly what I think to do. I will be sure to do a little sightseeing. I consulted a lot of documentation on the Algarve. This area seems really nice. Say nothing of my departure to Antoine. In terms of the notary and the mother of succession, I believe that the case will continue. It is unlikely that a judgment intervene during this holiday period. I'm leaving. I continue to prepare my luggage. I'm a little anxious about what I'm going to find there. It keeps track of both sides. I'll call you when I arrived.

- Okay I look forward to hear from you..

No one else was to be aware of his journey.

Keep a good intimate contact with Michel, she asked for nothing better.

The week ended to fill and complete his journey ring.

She had felt a growing excitement as the departure date approached.

The desire to travel, to know Portugal, where she had never been much stronger and still meet his father.

Sagres, she was ignorant of the name. She had sought and read that the city was "at the end of the world, at the most westerly point on the European and the Algarve."

She could not beat this exotic and already dreaming of oceans and seas.

Tuesday came, finally. At the airport, feverish agitation was the feeling that one could feel.

Tourism requires time, the plane was full. After flying over France, the Bay of Biscay, north of Spain, it was the Portuguese or arid farmland paraded as the clouds were fading. The two flight hours passed very quickly. No air holes, a dream of flight. The time came to land after a tight final turn over the sea and the gentle descent to Faro airport.

On arrival, the excitement was just as perceptive among the other passengers, all eager to enjoy their holiday.

It was very hot. Right out of the plane, a furnace print reigned on the tarmac. Then it all went by anxiety to recover the suitcases on the turnstile and going through customs.

The airport was modern and the most airports are dedicated to tourism as was Faro. Successive extensions as terminal to meet the growing needs of this financial windfall that is mass tourism.

Since 1985, Portugal entered the European Community and everything was packed. A real economic boom, with tourist resorts which nevertheless showed a face of the Portuguese intrinsic economy. The country's history brought logistical support to any desire to culture, while the fado whispered nostalgia for a past that no longer peasant appeared that during performances dedicated to tourism. Portugal was very different from the Spanish neighboring country.

The parking lot of the airport, she looked for a taxi that could lead to the Sagres. No matter the price of the race. She wanted to add with pleasure in this race in time.

At the rear of the cab, his eyes never stopped flowing from left to right. Landscapes defiled. The rocks characteristics of the Algarve, creeks, sandy beaches and hotels ... which followed the beaches like shadows.

She gave the address to the driver. He led them without hesitation. In front of the house in Sagres.

The house, at the address given, was several years. Whitewashed with complementary blue parts like many home.

She rang the bell which skirted the door of.

An old woman appeared.

- Si.

- Carlos da Silva, aqui, "it was pointing his finger on the ground.

- Não, ele está em Cerro Alagoa Hotel Albufeira. Carlos há Gerente.

Manu was not all inclusive. No way to ask for more.

The word "Albufeira" she remembered it. It was the name of the town she had passed on the way from Faro. Back to square one.

She even tried to speak English.

She did not know how to say "thank you" in Portuguese. The word "Obrigado" was unknown.

- "Gracias," she said with a wide smile and a wave of the hand to the temple in the form of salvation.

She picked up the taxi and asked the driver to take her to the nearest train station.

There was no question that she returned with the same taxi. This has lead too far in the evening and she wanted to arrive before dark.

The train that would bring in Albufeira leaving in fifteen minutes. A ticket at the counter and then wait, baggage foot.

The adventure of the day was not over yet, only the sun had forfeited in a glowing sunset.

It was that of fado give the atmosphere.

This fado so interpreted by Amalia Rodriguez who left this earth there 2 years, that voice that all the Portuguese wanted to keep forever in their heart.

Chapter 07: Meeting

"One meets his destiny often the paths we take to avoid it. "Jean de La Fontaine

It was 20:00 when the train arrived at the station to Albufeira. Night had already fallen.

Out of the station, she felt no pain to find a taxi that took her outside.

She expected a small hotel halfway family pension. It seemed huge, four-story arc.

She was almost disappointed. A sign at the top: "Hotel apartamento."

At the reception, she had to be placed in the daughter of tourists that preceded it.

- You speak French ?, she asked.

- Yes of course.

- I want to see Carlos da Silva. "

- I'll call, the receptionist answered with a singing accent.

A few words in Portuguese Manu did not try to understand the phone. A few minutes later a man, smiling, high stature and black hair but with graying temples already appeared.

- Hello Miss. What can I do for you?

A tall which contrasted with his own size.

Yet she knew it was him. It was her father.

Manu knew immediately what had pleased her mother in the man.

She went to her outstretched hand.

- Good Morning. Is the name of Swennen tells you something?

A wrinkle that furrowed his brow and the smile disappeared, Manu knew that the name was not unknown to him, or indifferent.

- Of course, Miss, I know very well that name. What can I do for you?

- Can we settle somewhere?

- Come into my office.

Manu followed this beautiful Portuguese she was sure to be the girl. Some character likenesses had not escaped him although it seems go about their business at a higher altitude.

They entered a square room with the office in the middle and folders in cabinets parted around him.

- Sorry for the order. I listen to you, 'he said.

Manu immediately pulled out the letter from his mother.

- This is the letter I left my mother just died.

He read while she watched. She was not disappointed by the reactions that passed the query to smile, to the astonishment with eyebrows rose alternately.

He put the letter.

- So you're my daughter, 'he said in a kind of blissful conclusion.

- And, yes. You did not know you had a daughter.

- I have one, but in fact, it is a surprise to know one more. It's a surprise and a joy, I assure you.

- Have you been to Sagres? he said.

- Yes, I am. I only had this address to restore the link. I met an elderly lady who sent me so far.

- The old lady was my mother. She did not know French. My apologies for it.

- I noticed. I understand. I do not know Portuguese.

She told me this hotel. During the meeting, I did not dare to go further in my questioning. I did not know it could be my paternal grandmother.

- And you arrived. I hope you will do me the pleasure of staying a while. We have so many things to say to make up for lost time.I'm sorry Julie, your mother told you about the situation only after his death. In the letter, she told you that part of our common history.

But a moment. For such an occasion, I will ask that brings us something to drink.

He took the phone and spoke so fast that Manu did not understand a word in the hope that she can do it.

Meanwhile, to drain the time or to lighten the mood, his father said:

- You have had time to see the Algarve landscapes up to Sagres, I hope?

- Oh, yes, I've never been here. it must be nice to live here.

- Yes, it is.

A thud at the door.

- If entrar replied his father.

A boy, a tray in hand appeared, with two glasses of champagne and two small bottles.

- It is perhaps not French champagne, but it may very well be misled.

Saúde, Manu, "he said, raising his glass.

- Health.

His father spoke like a tirade learned after a few moments of rest to catch his breath.

Sunday, I'll Introduce you Joäo. I'm sour You Will. My other daughter is Younger than you and yet HAS To Prove Itself. Goal That Will Come, I'm sure. She is Currently at the University of Lisbon as a laboratory assistant to prepare His license.

A server whispering something unintelligible cam to the ears de son father.

-. I have to leave you, Manu . The services and customers expect it . We Will see later . Go and go around the city, waiting You'll see, it's very nice if you AVOID Some little overflow of tourists, of course. Come back around 2:00 p.m.. Most of the Service Will Be past and we can-have lunch together.

Manu Remained alone at the table A Few time to think about What Was said.

She couldn't Withdraw from the head episode That Decided to leave His Father His Mother, as well as Belgium.

Come to think she Knew little Anthony. Bossy, of course, drank She Was so far from imagining That he Was a racist background.Why he HAD-been afraid to see her father join her mother in the family?

Lest he take the place of family head in His Place?

Lest he take the money from family and home?

The legacy de son father-in eu lieu le Before His birth, HAD he felt so eroded? By Whom? Why?

It Will need to Log-have a talk with Him On His return it issues or Michael, she Said for Any appeasement.

After lunch, she left the table and Decided to follow the advice de son father to start looking to visit this city of Alfufeira patented by tourist.

Manu Was happy. She Had finally puts His father and the rest of the hand are superfluous and pleasure. She wanted to bite His Life without leaving a crumb escape.

Chapter 09: The city tour

"The Man Who Does not come out and do not visit The Whole extent of land full of a lot of wonders is a well frog. "Indian Proverb

The weather was great and the sun high in the sky When Manu left the hotel.

Avoid tourists, as His Father Had said.

Vite said. How to do?

Albufeira Was Perhaps The Most touristic city of Algarve. Moreover, It Was in full season to blind in up to meet this gent Who Thinks only enjoy the weather, by fucking That Was not share anything of Their pleasures.

Slalom Began in the streets.

To Avoid being white caught off guard Manu Decided to ask at the tourist office.

She Had the Abebooks web sites renting to the hotel reception.

A small map of the city, with a cross, Was Given To Him to show Him the way.

With Him, she read Some Explanations speed. She Was quick to move. The town Was not very large. A little more than thirty thousand habitants.

"The center still Retains icts character with pretty streets lined with white houses, a cliff overlooking the beach."

That's the general idea a tourist That Had to hurry to have a first printing of the city and remember when he Would leave.

She wanted to discover something else Pendant His walk.

She stopped in front of the tile That Was encrusted in English and Portuguese in a wall. She mentally translated from English Into French "Albufeira HAD beens Conquered by the Moors DURING THE reign of Alfonso III, under the military authority of Manuel I. The Village ict received independence in 1504 as a fishing village for centuries Until 1986 When It Was Promoted as a city of tourism. "

Needless to say, It Was visible.

Around her, the English, German thronged the main street down the stairs of the wall That separated the center of the sea, by housing it.

This too full of tourists About did not like Manu. In His Own holiday in Spain, She Had always Avoided this kind of promiscuity. In a paper she Bought A drawing board book. Manu HAD always liked to draw landscapes as She Was About did crossing a photographer it in less time with a photo camera.

She Had a sharp look to find out WHAT COULD give an interpretation of reality in the way de son pencils.

From the top of the cliff, She Could see of loose rocks, pierced by the waves of the sea. A high rocky outcrop sat on the sand, in the center of the beach, WHERE a swarm of tourists lying on the sand? Tourists little empty space left Him. He Was doing what purpose there, this rocky outcrop? Provide nests for birds of passage ?

The fishing boats colorful contrast to the cliffs and yellow sand and white houses surmounting em.

The cliffs, the agglomeration That Looked like a set of cubes Arranged in a network of narrow streets of the original city.Chimneys pierced the rooftops.

The steeple of a church with an outdoor bell at the top, caught His eye.

All this inspired Him and sat on a bench and Went white paper to draw.

The black hat men of the area allowed to Distinguish the tourists Who HAD more colorful hats designed to counter the heat of the summer sun. The black hat Was a hat for all seasons.

The first sketched board, she rose and at last found Fewer people in small white streets away from the beach.

In full noon, while the Streets Were emptying, the restaurants Were full. The sun made driving difficult.

A street sign caught His eye. Sir Cliff Richard, cantor Really, everything here, she thought.

Then came the "Blue Bell Bar." A blue and white bar. It changed all this whiteness and est devenu Reviews another drawing board with color TV reception That only by imagination.

To step back, she borrowed a boom qui advanced to the sea and qui offert year overview of the city. An angler made ​​Him think the old man and the sea. It Was Opportunity Reviews another and a final subject for a drawing board That It Took a little longer.A naked sky. No clouds in the sky. Then she ajouté, to give the illusion.

At 13:30 It Was time to return for lunch and she turned around.

His walk Lasted That Was the time allotted His Father.

He must have finished His management of the morning at the hotel.

It at 2:00 p.m. When She returned.

ALTHOUGH Calculated. It's as if I Knew the city since always, she said.

Upon entering the hotel, the doorman saw her, Told her que le manager Was waiting in the restaurant.

End of period lunch from noon and less crowded goal slight buzz in the background.

His father, still in the Saami area HAD Reached out and she Went there.

Upon arrival at the table, he lancé:

-. I Had Joäo on the phone . It's nice to meet you and to know you for Him, now you're hand of the family. Again, you'll See That hospitality is not an empty word in Portugal.

Regardless of the wealth of the family, too. About the history, you'll see, Joao is inexhaustible. He will tell you much more than I Could never. He is a historian, I remember.

The allusion of hospitality, Manu HAD Understood. It Does not fail to make the differential with Anthony goal About did not let it show.

- All right, I'm very happy, too, to meet Him. I did a tour in the city. As You Said, We Need out of the crowd and There is really sensational.

Carlos Replied only with a smile to the favorable assessment That Gave her her daughter. For Him, the pride Was To Remain internal.

-. At the time Sami, I made ​​contacts with my mother and therefore, your paternal grandmother . She remembers your visit . She About did not know the family relationship with you She Had Him When You quoted my name When I attacked him about it, she Almost Cried on the phone do not you-have-been-have more Questioned and reliable to talk more with you.

- It Would Have beens fun with the sign language.

- It is certain. Aim you think she awaits our visit with impatience. She wants to see us on Sunday evening or before. We will go together with Joao.

-. I have not Had the Opportunity to Realize Who She Was My visit to cam against time. Too pressed to find you. I have not tried to get Acquainted.

- You'll see, the spirit of the town as is Sagres is still very different from Albufeira. The tourists come DURING THE day goal leave in the evening After visiting the lighthouse and the sea hitting the rocks. There are still Few hotels. You 'll see, it looks like Brittany with the strength of the waves rush over the cliffs. This Would Be Especially true in winter.

The two days of the week That Followed, Passed at the speed of light.

Days to classify in the category "happiness" for Manu.

She Had found a quiet place, a bench with a wide view of the ocean. The sea breeze freshened the excess heat.

She returned to full and perfect His drawings with the views of the landscape.

She Spent a real holiday as She Had not Spent long time.

Free. Nourished and bleached. No worries. A walk around as she Had the urge without tiring. Stop and watch the ocean waves That Slipped entre the rocks. Looking up in the sky, gulls seeking pittance The Few abandoned on the sand. The dream .

Then close your eyes to feel the sensation no skirt of the wind and sun on the skin. She loved the sun, but not as a tourist Who wanted to sunbathe at all costs.

Once the second afternoon, she managed to doze With His skateboard designs on the knees. She Awoke with a start when he Noticed They fell to the ground.

The day before, on Friday night, She Had Hardly slept all night.

Music distracted tourists from the hotel and managed to the room she occupied. She Was Not interested in going to Introduce Who in the crowd wanted to have fun and dance the Day After sunbathing.

On the top floor of the hotel, It Had a view of the blue sea and Remained on the balcony Until the music fades. This happened about two in the morning and she never sleep Regained the early hours of the morning.

The last two nights, His Father Time When He HAD, HAD supped At His table to do quit, leaving His meal later, When He Was called Expired by the service.

Only the then is she watched tourists. This amused Was The Most Him to Identify, in the morning, a holiday and return in the evening at the Sami table, all crimson with sunburn face and the nose as a burnt Strawberry Wépion too juicy. This flash Him a smile recall the country.

She Was aware que la meeting with His Father, all pictures thesis, dissertation flashes Would not come to her mind if She Had not found the letter from His Mother from under the cushion white flesh.

It was worth more than all the sun from the Earth and all the money in the world.

Chapter 10: A family in parallel :

"Life can only BE Understood by going back, we aim Saw That before. "Sören Kierkegaard

Sunday morning, Manu Awoke at 8:30.

There Was a sound of electric razor in the bathroom adjacent to Both chambers. His father Was already busy shaving. She got up and Went in the management of the noise.

On tiptoe, she Reached out to Him kiss on the cheek.

Was surprised and Carlos Delighted at a time.

- Thank you for Accepting me in your family, she said.

- It is for me to thank you for me HAVING Looking After So Many years without Giving my news. I'm unforgivable. This est your family now. If I knew that I had a girl like you, I Would Have broken the shame I Had Known When leaving your mother.

-. For That Do not worry . This absence, I filled with time If I have dreamed to-have a father at my side, my mother Played the role of Both parents. I had a great mom for That. She May Be a Bit Overwhelming as you've Told me order it suited me. I need you to tell me what I have to pay you for the hospitality you offer me in the hotel.

-. I forbid you to talk about this and to think Especially The room you occupied, is a guest room assigned to When me in case I have an unexpected visitor business. There ares currently no visitors expected. The privilege to use the room on my own benefit, I Had not used yet. As for food, you think That I offer with pleasure.

- OK. but ...

-. Again, no "but" Do not worry For That Will need you to learn How to Be the Portuguese soul I'm ready I'll go down to the restaurant I expect it Joao gold ..... Will soon arrives, Perhaps, is it already there.

- Thank you for this beautiful family totally different and completely Call That I-have Experienced weekend so far and prepaid That You are me.

-. I Hope that It Will Exceed your imagination . We leave to the discovery of the secret Algarve . That the tourists do not see Even with a dedicated guide . A day of pleasure at a little distance We shall see Before That Before Reviews arriving at Sagres . The family is waiting for us. I'm my mother sour HAS Gathered --other family members at the time of your arrival. You know, you-have great aunts still alive and nephews and cousins ​​So Many.

-. I'll be quick I look forward to you to show me That. Albufeira, I Began to know it well. I got walked in all directions at me tired.I Have some sheets of drawings. Yesterday I fell asleep on a bench in the sun with my drawing board and my pencils on the knees.Fortunately I bought a hat to put me on the head.

- You draw ? I have an artist daughter, Then One more reason to accentuate my pride, he Said with a smile.

You're right, for the hat. Here, the sun is a traitor to the white skin of the north. sunburns are hurting more than a careless tourist. I'm going. I go down. At Any hour.

- I Had the Opportunity to see it in the restaurant.

Fever, Manu Took a shower. In less than half an hour, and She Was Ready Went Down.

At this time, the elevators ask asking for patience, and soon found Themselves full of tourists.

Arrived at the table, His father and a young man, hair spray, Was At His side.

Unshaven, a thin beard made Him more beautiful reflection of a male presence.

Both Motions from a single impulse.

- Manu, I present Joao.

-. Hello, Manu . My stepfather Told me all about you on the phone . He About did not tell me you Were so pretty What a pleasant surprise. What charm, it Will Be to get to know the roads in the Algarve.

Manu couldn't help blushing. No one ever HAD Talked To Him That Way. She Had Considered never pretty.

The trip to Sagres and the party at the finish, thought Manu.

Lunch Passed auspiciously. Laughter row out to the nearby tables, Whose occupants turned to know the reason.

About did not look at Joao Carlos, the father of Manu. More open. Less reserved. Physically smaller, more square shoulders.Laughing, by habit, weathered by the sun, wrinkles are marked on the face.

A youthful face far from displeasing That Was to Manu.

Then There Was His historical knowledge mixed with humor Who intervened in the conversation and laughter Were Those Who Understood His humor and Went Into His playing.

Instead of HAVING to search the rolls at the counter, Carlos HAD already Gathered all That Was Said lunch "continental" on the table.

Rolls, croissants, orange juice, everything was there.

The can of coffee and tea in the middle of it.

They Began to eat while talking.

-. I will combine business with pleasure I brought` all my photographic equipment, Said Joao. You'll see, as my goals are resourceful. Sorry, I am unhappy initiatives, I speak affectionately.

- Goal I, too, I'll you you, Joao. You Would not like I alternate the "you" and "you" between my father and you, Manu said.

-. Thank you for forgiving me Next week, I'll start a story in the back country for three days. If you're Interested, Manu, I Would Be Delighted if you come with me. So much to show you what s'intitule the Portuguese soul in the hinterland.

-. I'd be happy . I'm not very cat-all-risks riste injustement So if you show me the deep Portugal, I'd Be Even happier.

After a Relatively short time, Carlos Abebooks web sites:

- Everyone Has lunch? If not, I ask Some supplements ...

- No, Manu Replied.

- No, I have eaten enough, echoing Replied Joao.

- So, let's go. La Douce Algarve Ad awaits.

They Took the road in the car of Carlos.

Was the window open to play the missing airco.

Joao Began to speak louder and talkative way to Overcome engine and wind noise in the cockpit. So many topics of discussion ensued in a continuous rhythm, Manu, listening, lost in the habit of watching the landscape.

Landscapes, She Had seen on His arrival at the driveway and back without stopping, Without Any explanation purpose.

They stopped A Few Times.

Stopovers That meublèrent travel harmony and Their differences.

A Carvoera and Amarçào Pera, It Was the rocks and the sea That engulfed it.

In Portimao, the harbor, the fish market, the fishermen and the Opportunity to enjoy grilled sardines.

In Lagos, to show the statue of Henry the Navigator, Juao character Who Would speak on arrival at Sagres and the Baroque chapel Santo Antonio with the interior of gilded wood and Some tiles.

- Silves, a little inland, City That Was a wealthy Lisbon DURING THE time of the Moors, Joao Said proudly.

Time Passed quickly. Had the perception of Manu HAVING taken less time to reach the destination. They came to Cape St. Vincent with the town of Sagres, qui Was required by His side.

For the occasion, Joao Resumed His function guide.

-. Three, dear Manu . One Does not Preclude l'autre . Walk all azimuth . You, I Noticed That You drew very well . I'm writing a new book on the area of Alentejo and Algarve the A novel, with stories of families SPECIFICALLY. Mine HAS served as an example.Do not you want to make a covenant with me for the illustration part? The photos, that's fine, the design goal Would Be much better in thee and thou.

Manu time immediately thought this novel parallel That Could Have With His own family and richer Sometimes more difficulty to understand.

-. If I expected this Proposal . Here I apply myself more shoulds Draw, I do this for fun and since I was very young. The drawing was me for a kid leisure qui est found Until Now. I Knew It Would someone interest.

- I assure you. I Took a look at thesis Few boards you made ​​yesterday in a very limited time. You have a real hidden talent and a serious stroke of a pen. I sure am.

. - OK . Aim Then You leave me no choice scenery draw I do not like working order.

-. No problem for this, You Remain the owner of your desires Just tell me when you want to stop you to draw. I take pictures waiting for you. In the evening, I will Develop the photos. If you accept my PROPOSAL, I Would ask you to read the pages Few That I-have written for the book So They can steer you in the spirit of the book. I have translated into English. Portuguese is still the international language par excellence, Even If it is found in Brazil.

- Did not you tell me You Were going to teach me?

-. We-have three days to return to Albufeira . Three days to give you the basics It Will apologize for a Particular Point.

- Which one?

-. I tried to reserve more room for you, tonight and tomorrow night in the hotels Where We stop . Bad seasons to find free rooms. Even more, Has beens can not Youll-have to share mine. You know, There Is always an extra bed. I'll take it.

- If I Understand Correctly, you being in me Particular adventure.

- You all inclusive. This evening, I invite you to the lair of a single Portuguese. This is not the first time I go thesis in small hotels.You'll see, They are charming and wilderness. I know them all.

- And I have to agree, of course.

-. Obviously . No other solution Your father Warned me to take you as a Sabine of antiquity.

They Laughed together.

. - I told you yesterday That I Was going for Voltaire's poem Here, hang on, it's mind-blowing: One hundred thousand unfortunates que la earth devours

Who, bloody, torn and exciting yet

Buried under roofs Their end without aid

In honor of Their torment dismal days

With half Cree FORMED of Their dying voice

In The Frightening sight of Their smoldering ashes

Will you say the thesis are salutary Laws

From a beneficent being white Who About did everything by His choice?

- Wow, you tear my heart. I hope you do not-have too many Such stories for the day.

- No, not at all. I wanted To Be Complete After re-reading my notes. Today we leave the sea to the Alentejo. A area just north of the Algarve. This is a very different area from the one you saw yesterday. An arid plateau, desert Almost qui est already Beginning and the Algarve and Where, Because of the blazing sun of summer, Not Easily live as olive trees. These lands are too far from the sea and winds to find moisture. You'll see, it's the golden-brown color That Will Be dominant with white houses with small villages That Provide contrast and brightness.

- Are people different from the coasts What do they live, I guess it's less frequented by tourism?

- It is certain. You're right. There, ecology, Then Considered as the symbol of extensive farms in the area, rural life, as the rule of ict livelihood and crafts, as the loophole to the dead time.

-. What a beautiful picture I want to draw your Almost mental landscape on my drawing board.

-. Do not laugh Further, it has little exchange. A road Abebooks web castles do not-have time to visit. The city of Evora is Considered The Most Beautiful city in Portugal. This means clustering That pride is not a figment of the imagination in the Alentejo.

No doubt, the first day Was it hard Manu. Already tired from the day before, she Followed Joao on the run. Heat, being white lower and raise the 4X4, to walk in a repetitive cycle, all killed in the late afternoon. Clearly Manu lacked experience as adventurer. She drew in a short final. Joao, in contrast, Took out His Camera photos, fixed tripod and was never tired of repeating Seemed la même operations.

The first night at dinner, Manu purpose does it ate.

As Joao HAD Said, hoteliers Were fun. All Knew long ago. The evening ALTHOUGH joyous, not to Manu brought` a desire to win His room.

She collapsed in the great twin bed than Joao. He HAD Remained a little more time at the bar chatting with the owners and returned to the room while Manu Was already asleep.

The next day at the time of separation, hoteliers Embraced Joao.

Manu HAD Decided to change the tempo. She Was dressed in light clothing bush. She Understood what she needed to do to rest along the way. Stop and draw more often. Joao couldn't refuse Because It Was share of the unwritten contract of Their journey .

ALTHOUGH rural landscapes were very similar, it varied drawings by the colors, the thickness of her strokes of varying, strength and imagination.

No drawing resembled Each Other.

Joao HAD Understood His way of correcting the previous day. He About did everything to help Him. He Took Her hand At Every staircase, Every hill to cross gold to hit. That did not care An displease Manu and She Was Accustomed Extending her hand Every difficulty passage.

The second night cam.

In the bedroom, Joao risked a kiss on the cheek Manu.

- How did you find our journey into the hinterland of the Algarve and Alentejo What do you like the sea or the countryside?

-. I like both Purpose I love the quiet and the coast in this season, it's not that I Easily found in Albufeira and on the coast. The overflow hotels, I do not really enjoy it. I like the wide spread no one like we HAD today.

- That's true, the purpose of economy and ict rights droits. I forgot to ask you what are the personalities you know Portugal.

-. The fado Amalia Rodrigues, she just died, if I remember Correctly . Linda de Suza and cardboard suitcase . In politics, I remember Soares Dad could me to date on what he Experienced in the turbulent period of the last revolution. Then it's about all.

-. You're right, Amalia died in 1999. Three days of mourning Were Declared After His burial . The memory is still alive . Fado is the song that chronicles the Portuguese nostalgic recounting everyday life The release of fado in the area is from Lisbon a little less nostalgic than in the north of Portugal.

-. I do not have it all wrong with my list I'm happy.

- Perhaps, goal That Does not prevent prevention you the gaps I'll fill-have to. I will not talk about history, aim the news. There Tony Carrera, very Known here in the song Variety. Soccer, Sports Portugal, Ronaldo, Eusebio, Paoleta. All this tell you anything?

-. I admit, I am an ignoramus in Football This is the first time I come to Portugal, You Will apologize if your singer Has not happened to us in Belgium.

-. I'll try to play the teacher in Many Areas with you . It is Necessary that you know Where and how to live your relatives and history of the country I will give you all this in a set with a beautiful ribbon, but not touristy. As your father, the Portuguese About did not Understand That One can live without hospitality. If he Fled disorder, Portuguese Remains proud at all times and keep the secret in His heart. Do not try to skew a Portuguese. He Would not like. We-have warm blood, you repent thee. As for the family, it Remains sacred.

- It looks like the Spaniards with the spirit of flamenco dancing.

-. That's right, Even If it Remains different Do not say it is a Portuguese Spanish. Pretty women are not indifferent to us men.They are far from Spanish Carmen.

- I feel a subliminal idea in your words. I Consider Him said. Where are we going today?

- We will go through Mertola, Where the rescue of heritage is the main concern. It is the only city in the country That HAS preserved a mosque in good condition Transformed Into a goal Christian church. Then we descend to the Algarve and Albufeira.

Then, imperceptibly, he Slipped a kiss on the lips of Manu.

She Answered escape without it. Without really Realizing it, she ouvert her mouth greedily.

Then Joao brought` Him On His bed, caressing her.

Manu About did not resist. She ignored Until now what the power of caresses.

Chapter 12: A flower to say I love you

"Flirting is watercolor of love. "Paul Bourget

-. I think I love you I apologize for Taking this liberty so Quickly, It Was an objective impulse That I couldn't resist, Said Joao next morning.

-. Do not apologize I Was waiting for this moment. It is ever Told you, you're a first-class seducer. Then, the second bed was really too small. I couldn't leave you in a crib.

He hugged her again and tumbled onto- the big bed

They made love to get out.

It Was not Until the coffee smell coming stroking Their nostrils and full voice Above It Joao tenderness that changed the pace of Their antics.

- Juices with tea or coffee?

- Latte with sugar and orange juice.

- Well, Madame, your orders and a kiss in return, Madame.

- Of course.

Manu pulled her Toward Him thanks.

- The tray with croissants, a flower in a flute that's Exactly what I like in my stand, my dear sir.

- What have I inspired you last night? I hope I was perfect in every way.

. - Okay, I do not know Men Should Be tested in a along time, if we forget.

- Test the men Purpose what an ugly word "test." I hope I did not make you sweat too much, There Would Be crimson love.

His humor, Manu Began to Recognize and It Was inspired in dialogue.

- Sweating me . The air conditioning worked perfectly Given what he HAD to do . As for you Your rating, I Hesitate entre seven and nine out of ten.

- September already fine with me, if you just-have fallen in love To Be with me.

- I have a very subjective judgment, too intuitive and very biased. Love Was not my cup of tea so far. I correct. I give you nine.

- Will you marry me?

-. You're jumping the gun, dear sir I see the sound barrier blades in front of you. I'll think. I give you my answer very soon.

The formal amused by mode icts solemnity of These Intimacies times and faded as he HAD come.

Manu lay down on the bed, His head on Joao's lap. He stroked her bare skin, hand, seeped through His disheveled hair, it l'autre.

About did she not want to hit the road. Stay and all day, she Could Have Hoped.

When he felt That It Would benefit from this situation he softly Said In His ear:

-. It's time to leave We-have a job to full.

- You're nasty. A true executioner.

- I know.

Kissing on the cheek, forehead and eyelids, he Helped her up.

The day was just a delight After Another.

Added Joao everything used to guide art of seduction.

He visited places That Even for Joao Who Knew Them Had a taste again with the eyes and playful reflections Manu. She forgot to draw and Joao photographing landscapes to photograph it.

We had to go back to the constraint in the contract, set at the Beginning: the book on the Alentejo.

They stopped one last time Before returning to Beja Algarve.

Sitting in front of a landscape, in Joao read chapters Concerned That A Few city and to crop em in context.

The third day Remain in the memory as a day of love shared.

Was the sun to sunset. Manu wanted to draw one last board.

In return, the third night They Come back Carlos Waited impatiently.

Manu Jumped to His neck.

He Knew That time immediately HAD something changed in the links entre Joao and Manu.

Their attitude Was not clear. They do not hide. The torque and tenderly loved Each Other Held hands.

-. I am safe-have you done better knowledge . The language of the hands qui I spoke, It Was to translate the Portuguese as the Italians . I See That it has-been operating more than I Had advocated . You are right Portuguese is a language too difficulty to translate.

Replied Smiles.

Joao spoke again.

-. I have an announcement to make . Before leaving, I received a phone call from New York The editors of the Gallery Would I make myself at the Beginning of September to present my latest books. There Will Be book signings. I'll be away for a weekend.

-. This is excellent news A true consecration. This means clustering That You take a spot in the firmament of American writers, Carlos said.

- That's the positive side, indeed. The negative side, It Does see you, says Manu Joao's ear.

The next day, Manu Decided to call Michael. Communication Passed and the time immediately sound as clear as if Was it cam from the next room.

- It's me, Manu. Sorry to not have you phoned Earlier. Often I do not present. How it goes in Jumet? Manu says, as if to apologize for not Giving new Earlier.

- I'm glad to hear you, Manu. Antoine abandoned icts request to attack mom's Will. Otherwise, nothing new. The notary Has not yet suites to the distribution of goods mom. I guess it will go on now.

- Good news ...

-. I forgot There is something new, HOWEVER.

- Ah, says.

-. There is something That Happened in your house in Jumet The neighbor, Mrs Sornin called Expired me to warn me. You know, it Gives Many details in His Explanations. I summarize you.

-. It is better Must Be The Conversation expensive by the minute.

- One night she About did not sleep, she saw someone, a Man ​​Who cam Into your house. He Had the keys. There Was No forced entry. She Was Concerned When She Heard the iron door of the street That squeaked. It Was more curious than reactive. That Lasted a quarter of an hour inside the house, at most. Then she saw the Saami man out of the house without noise. Strange, is not it?

- Had he won something?

- She has not seen anything like that something he UNLESS the carried under the book from.

-. I must return to Jumet to see the damage . I Spent amzing here I met my father and my Portuguese family. His step-son, Joao, Introduced me to the south of Portugal. As He Has to leave for eight days, I boulot to go back a Few Days.

-. Pitch Perfect Tell me when you get home, I'll pick you up at the airport.

-. Do not worry about it I Took a taxi to get there in the driveway. I can do the Saami in return.

- Okay. Whatever. Goal let me know, I'd be happy to see you. You have to BE tanned.

- Tanned, a little, Certainly. Aim this is not my greatest desire. You May Sour be. I bear a ray of sunshine on the skin purpose I do not care to-have a tanned face as vulgar farm worker. In Portugal, the sun is everywhere. I wonder how one can determine the temperature in the shade. It does not exist. I leave you. I warn my arrival.

She hung up the phone.

She Had not Talked about young love that She Had places with Joao.

She Had to get out of the dream She Had Lived for the last days. Recover to think of --other Laws, other methods of living and reconfigure it.

Who is it That Can Be Entered Into the house with a key and no break-in?

A puzzle she Had to solve.

She Abebooks web sites to book a flight to the hotel reception.

We had to see Firsthand. It Was an obligation. She Took it as more investigation to solve a new plot.

The moral damage is hard to accept That Sometimes damage.

Chapter 13: Back in Jumet .

"Lying silent and well arranged family dramas. "Tristan Bernard

A plane to return, There Was a tomorrow. She was booked up.

Some excitement is felt in it.

His haste not going well at Joao.

- You will come back, will you ? You are eager to return home Do not forget That I need you to the illustrations in the book.

-. Of course I will return Purpose I have to rule Some Things with me before.

The day of departure arrived and Joao led her to Faro on board the 4X4.

At the airport, When leaving, he repeated:

- Do not forget my question? The answer is significant to me.

- The hotline phone number is 00351299588 010. Do not Hesitate to call me, I will give you news of Him, 'Said Carlos.

-. I will not forget, Carlos You `shall-have your answer, Joao.

Joao Took out a small box he That Held In His Pocket, for a gold in the shape of Portugal.

- This little memory, you'll be able to reliably you in the neck for thinking of me. I Saw That You Had a single string.

- How beautiful. Thank you. I will attach my chain on the plane. You're a sweetheart.

They like old lovers Embraced Before leaving.

She turned several times.

Joao Carlos and making hand signs Were.

Without Saying, Manu already HAD Decided His future.

She Had not Responded to Joao, aim His decision to live in Portugal Was already taken. This Involved selling the house in Jumet.She thought of going through an agency for sale.

Turn the page. Live another life in Portugal.

Learn Portuguese About did not worry too much. She Had always Had the facilities to learn languages ​​and it sccm About did not Insurmountable Him.

Why HAD she yielded to the charms of Joao so Quickly?

His mother Had the feeling Sami Before He Was Born With His father, Carlos. A love just Suddenly you. She must have Passed this feeling of love at first sight in the genes de son daughter.

A feeling Experienced Before She Had never with strength and Such That It Would not-have HAD time to Deepen further Top.

Then, the caesura Happened again. The question Him That embarrassed, resurfaced in the spirit of Manu. Fears That She discover truths About did not learn After This blue period.

The burglary That he hiding? Was it successful or not?

What Was she found in the house? Overturned drawers, furniture upside down? Who was the author?

As far as She Could remember, the house HAD never-been broken. The neighbors in the area used to help HAD Become Each Other and monitor Each Other.

Why Mrs. Sornin HAD not Responded or call the police?

It was very Likely if not inevitable and Michel Antoine That Could still-have a house key.

Michel Seemed sincere. If It Had beens the author, Would not it-have Prevented the robbery.

So he left Antoine purpose why? Had he beens Advised de son absence?

On the plane, She Was not near a window. She closed her eyes and saw her last days in Portugal. So many pictures together.Everything was together in Such a short period. She Had Kept His drawing board book In His small suitcase board Placed over it.

She needed a last flashback to clear, A FEW times, fears and visions of another world.

She got up and Went His drawings de son luggage.

She Was surprised Joao That he HAD HAD Introduced her pictures taken in all poses. Gamine That made ​​her laugh positions at the sight of Reviews some of 'em.

She finished her flight by reading Some passages of the diary of her mother That She Had found under the white flesh. Few lines Every Day. A newspaper with thoughts taken on the bright Where She found Some sensitive issues de son past.

She read A Few passages are very characteristic vis-à-vis her relationship with her children and her entourage.

10-04-2000. Antoine cam to visit me . I regretted That I About did not-have the help of Manu He Shouted at me as if I Was Responsible For His untangled with His Wife. It's true, though it is in the poor Sometimes stewardship of the house, it is not all the same I HAD Chosen Who. That I Had the feeling he HAD drunk a little more than kind.

20-05-2000: This morning, Michel Went visiting Pendant His consultations. Always affable. Too Good With His wife Christiane Who plays Him In the Slightest Weaknesses.

01-09-2000. I Was Hoping to see Manu as Planned For His birthday . I had a gift for Him For His 26 years She Had a second session in an exam she Told me. I hope it will succeed. She Gives herself completely Call to His studies. I can not blame her That She About did not come.

20-12-2000. Soon Christmas . I'll finally break the silence of the house and get the family together sour I'm not it meets everyone's ideas in the background, purpose They Will Be required to do at least in form. I apply myself. The children of Michael and Anthony Will, for Their games, a more positive atmosphere in the family. They, at least, no resentment-have. A new generation Will erase, I hope. Manu Will Be alone and as always it saddens me.

Once again, Manu Had a tear That imperceptibly germinated in the corner of the eye. She Was well aware of What Was going on in the family and That His Mother managed to keep secret.

HOWEVER, nothing That Would presage His death Happened The Following year.

Arrival in Charleroi, after landing, she Took a taxi to Jumet.

It Was soft, gray goal. A fine rain as There Are Many in the country. A raincoat Was: recovered at the bottom de son suitcase. The contrast Was all over. She Had left Portugal with a blazing sun with 30 ° C.

Before you go home in the house, she Went to the neighbor, Mrs Sornin.

- Dear Sir, sorry, you .....

-. Between I made ​​you go telling what I Saw That night to your brother Michael?

-. Not only I Had to come back one day, so no problem. What Has Happened? What did you see? My half-brother Told me que la key to the phone.

The neighbor HAD already presented a chair Manu to install it.

- Do you want a coffee? I just do. It is still hot.

-. Thank You With milk and two sugars.

Manu, in the bottom of it, thought the remark about Belgian hospitality missing in the eyes de son father. Here, It Was not the Saami box.

By paying a coffee, Mrs. Sornin His Story Began with more details.

. - Have You Had me Abebooks web sites, I Threw A Few glances Toward your house That night, around 2 am, I Could not sleep, I got up. Front of the window, I Heard the iron door creaking front of your house. I saw Who Entered a man dressed. He About did not sccm to Be a thief. At the front door, as he Had a key, he Entered without problems inside. I Was worried and curious at the time Sami. I Stood behind my curtains.

- It Has long-been inside the house?

-. Very little time . A maximum of fifteen minutes . It Emerged with a small package under the book from the gauze and I Followed Took a white car parked 100 meters away. I have not-been reliable to raise icts license plate number. My eyesight, you know. Call the police? Have Seemed To Be There nothing to steal or breakage WARRANTED noise, I did not. I have not slept all night. The next day, I Warned your brother.

Manu Listened and grinding "half-brother" did not sccm considers.

She thought as her neighbor Continued to talk without her aware est devenu? Lost in thought, until, the issue repeated twice.

- And your vacation, How was it?

-. Very well Portugal is a beautiful country, she finally Answered.

Nothing really new to learn from icts neighbor. Manu Almost listening along her neighbor Was going to load a flood of words on the topic "Portugal". It Insignificant est devenu for Manu. Mental thoughts Were Elsewhere.

Who Could do this puzzle without a real break?

She repeated her first finding: "If Michael Was in on it, he Would not-have called Expired Him to warn Him That Night Walk."

She bent and fell on Anthony. He must have Had a key to the house.

A small package under the arm of the burglar? It Could Be money.

And if There Was a safe hidden somewhere in the house?

A safe hidden behind a painting or something. She Had checked everything, It Does not intended to allow safe be.

The suspicion That She Had about Antoine is confirmed, Why, what-have mobile Could he pour Reviews arriving at this end?

And, if Contrary to what he Had Told the notary Antoine HAD money problems? If His box Had the lead in the wing, and Worse, It Was close to bankruptcy? The notary HAD not yet-settled the estate de son mother.

Embarrassed, vis-à-vis Ms Sornin She Had to find an argument to leave, a reason to do it very Quickly and find the answer to this new puzzle.

-. I have to leave . I promis to call my brother Thank you for HAVING Warned, she managed to say.

-. I Understand Manu I hope I was helpful During your absence. I'll take you. Welcome back home.

Manu hastened to return home, while glancing at His Back, with a wave de son hand. The fear of what She Was Discovered Was overtaken by her curiosity.

Inside, nothing Seemed to-have-been Moved. No overturned drawer. Nothing That Would give the feeling That There Was a burglary. Everything was in place as She Had left it.

HOWEVER, she Noticed That There Was a step in the mud of the input That Was still visible. A step That did not match His. In the hall, the carpet Was used to dry soaked shoes. It must have rained That Night.

Upstairs, not more damage, or Any exchange.

She Went Down perplexed. The nocturnal visitor Was not, HOWEVER, returned empty-handed. He Had a package under the book from leaving.

She sat down in the lounge chair while looking around.

Suddenly, she que la Noticed two sides of the fireplace in the lounge Were not completely Call symmetrical.

She gaped Approached and marble stone. In the excitement, That Night, the thief HAD not closed properly.

It enlarges the opening and behind, There Was a small safe That Was open. Inside, nothing small binder goal.

She ouvert it. Photographs inside.

Of these, His mother and his father, Younger, smiling in multiple attitudes with the visible happiness as common.

The mystery of the missing pictures Were resolved. They HAD-been damaged deliberately stolen from the sight de son mother since the lathing HAD not spoken of this chest in His Last letter. She Was unaware of Their existence.

There Was Antoine Who Would Have Thought to conceal em. His Father Had to Give Him a key to the safe and how to accomplish achieve it.

She Sought year inlaid handle in the fireplace. She found a button That allowed to rejoin the fireplace in ict symmetry.

Goal That Could hold the chest outside of These photographs?

Which HAD beens stolen, Remained To Be Discovered.

She Took the phone and dialed the number Michel.

- Hi Michael, I talk to you?

- Yes, I have a hole in my consultations. How-have-been your Portuguese holiday and your return?

-. Very well, thank you We'll talk and I'll show you the pictures and drawings I reported about it. Remind me, the color of the car of Anthony.

-. White Why does this matter?

- Because it Gives me an idea about the identity of the burglar Who HAD come Into the house in my absence.

- You think That to-have done the deed?

- Mrs Sornin saw the burglar away with a white car, goal couldn't raise the issue of the flat.

- So you think Anthony. There, if that's true, it exceeded everything I Could think of it.

- I solved the issue of aussi mom dad pictures That did not exist in the house.

- Thou hast found?

- Yes., They Were in a safe That Was hidden in the living room fireplace I guess working with a battery in the night, he About did not fully closed the cover properly. Purpose It Was not the pictures he Took away, that's Reviews another thing That Was not there.

- You think about money?

- I'm Almost certain. We must know the true state of ict finances. There is no way to find the information somewhere? Financial results of the past year, for example?

-. If I can handle it or ask the notary . I'll ask my accountant . It Could Provide the answer I will Retéléphone as soon as I have the answer.

- Okay. I'll wait. If this is in question, we go together to His shoulds factory to call Him to account, Because That Was not share of the list of assets of the estate.

Half an hour later, the phone rank and Michel, joyful, lancé.

- In the thousand, it is not yet bankrupt, His goal box is large stalled for two years. It Has Some Time off for debts.

- I do not rejoice, aim at least it motivates Was the de son shares. If you can free you, we go there tomorrow afternoon.

- Ok That suits me .. This kind of puzzle can not REMAIN unanswered. I've never beens In His factory. See you tomorrow, 2:00 p.m. I come to you and we will go together to confronted the truths of the moment Antoine Could give us.

Chapter 14: Explanations and revelations

"The word is the dress of thought, and the explanation is the armor. "Rivarol

In the night, Manu HAD started to think about the position to get to dream.

Rather a nightmare in qui Antoine HAD poisoned His Mother to recover the money of the inheritance.

Michel arrived Before the time the appointment.

She ouvert the conversation.

. - Hi Michael I made ​​a horrible dream last night.

- And you remember Says.

-. Vaguely . Antoine poisoned mom to recover the money of the inheritance When Mom died, I Abebooks web sites the doctor to know the causes and the answer Was wave.

- He About did not spoke of a stomach cancer two months Discovered That Was Before?

- No, he Talked about internal bleeding.

. - Mom-have you hidden not to scare you As I am a doctor, the doctor of the hospital Told me more than you, Probably. This led to a HAD tired in the end, It Was internal bleeding qui is not abnormal.

- Thanks for the revelation That Gives me a new key to a riddle What Was for me.

- This is my job and I have to hide Some sensitive items to my patients.

Manu Began to smile mocking way.

- You are Such a good man in every respect, Michel. well organized. You Households your patients.

You INFORMED me on the grounds of Mom died When She's gone. You are the personification of order. I invite you to reach out to small problems with your brother. Come on, without much thought and arrived Before the time the appointment.

- Thank you for a flattering portrait.

- Let me finish. You're going to love May Be less a result of wearing I do you. You stay still down without Saying anything if we do not ask you to Participate. This is not just a Lack of courage? For me, Who does the savage disorder without Knowing everything in it to end up putting His foot in it at the first Opportunity, it hurts a little.

Surprised, but not shocked by the conclusion, Michel reserved Smiled and A Few Seconds Before answering.

- According to you, I'm a coward? It's true, you're very different. I Would Say That you are a rebel and That political correctness is not a fantasy of life for you. A shrink Would say, Perhaps, Abebooks web antagonists are.

- By reading this mom wrote, it's a bit aussi That It felt.

- It's not mom Who Defended me in front of my father, goal Anthony. Father, I Have Known That for six years, drank he Who Was respecté. You did not know. violate His reactions Were Sometimes. There Was no way to break the rules, rules. The doctrine Was recevoir injustement than a slap? expressing His ego. This HAD Greatly impressed me. Anthony Played the role of shield.

- Antoine Took your defense Against your father?

-. It is best accommodated with dad, with me . I do not know why Young, I Was afraid of my father.

Manu Remembered the words of the letter from His Mother, Who spoke of the character of Their father in the last years de son violence. She spoke Even Michel arrived After rape.

- I did it all.

- I Spent a year in a pension in qui They Gave a Christian education qui propagates the idea of love and not of the war. I Was Even happier. It's always so nice and reassuring to-have to Such ideas.

After the death of our father, everything HAD changed. Mom changed everything. I returned home. You arrived.

- Antoine And how he took this change?

-. Anthony is taken for dad successor That's right, Anthony, I admit, I Considered my second father, as a sponsor.

- Your education and Anthony have your shield, Involved I never thought he forged Could your character.

- Antoine HAS Understood the advantage Could he draw.

- He continues to take you under His wing?

-. Yes I Am Later, I got my medical degree from the Catholic University of Leuven. The Hippocratic Oath That thou shalt not kill says aussi corresponded to my way of thinking.

This oath Fixed an ethical framework for medical response. It is a ritual That marks the transition from student to the doctor. So, Where Does That You feel like my passive attitude.

. - Oh, good ? This is going so far Until the loss of freedom of speech, free inquiry?

- Certainly. Free inquiry, it is your education That Built. To give you Reviews another proof, the rite of passage from teenager to adult, for you, this happens When Students baptism of St V, Whereas for me it comes into reality When to graduation Passed you your studies.

- Talk about a major difference here?

-. Yes I Am Your free-thinking refuse All That is dogmatic. I have-been excluded from a very young age.

-. Damn your oath and your dogmas Is this a reason That today you let yourself be by your brother without flinching? A doctrine of life and way of thinking That Does not following me.

- I am ashamed to admitted you. Mom very well. May 68, HAD been there. Become a feminist, she Took You educated in a completely Call opposite way. You were a girl and you finished your studies at the university. Your way of Being , You Had inherited from your mom and education. It is only in the last years of her life she let go face Anthony. I can tell you-have-been Some That There epic fights Them Them When You Were in Brussels.

- And you, you-have not yet Evolved in this bowling You're not going to stay the rug without someone Taking initiative.

- Moving . You laugh . You enter Quickly in an unbreakable mold clothes we take to let someone else decide for yourself and put it as a guide. Christiane, my wife, the advantage aussi Understood That It Can Be Learned. Lawyer, she Took over in our household.She is ready to defend the devil, to break the dichotomy of good and evil. These Are The Most troubled business That Make Him The Most earn money. I Could not do it.

-. You're still a doctor You have to make critical decisions.

-. Yes, if the aim profession That I Occupy injustement is high in the hierarchy, it Has Changed one of the General Principles . Responsibilities, I take my workplace with my patients They depend on me. They expect to Be Treated by me. Christiane relieve me of the stewardship and some even of responsibility. By this, I'm going down my requirements a notch to match what you call "Become a coward."

-. 0k So if I Understand Correctly, I will top my meter and sixty five speak to your brother Antoine, capping a meter nineties.Thou shalt BE behind me. You Will Do the slap. The small forehead and at school.

-. I'm sorry to give you reason I will Support you Until the killing of the bull aim After That you-have planted your banderillas Him In His meat and a picador like you, Repulsed-have the attacks of the bull.

-. I Learned que la killing of the bull is prohibited in Portugal as the picador Bullfighting, the tourada, is on horseback and ends with young forcados Who Take Risks together and not separately.

Was proud to Manu-have something Taught Him About did she know There Is Not Even little. Michel About did not take up this challenge.

- What I can say Anthony Is That Deserves it's shaken by what-have you already found about her and you Told me.

- It is still only speculation but strong evidence. I do not blame again. Your wife lawyer shoulds give you the difference betweens the two boxes.

- Of course.

-. Shall we . It's time to face the bull did you say It's fun to plant my banderillas with relish. I take my car and you guide me to Him.

The factory in qui Antoine Was the boss, Was on the outskirts of Charleroi.

Manu Was considering tactics to take. His plane Seemed the best. It boiled down to bluff like poker.

Fifteen minutes later, They arrived at the small factory That led Anthony.

Easily They found a place to park. Not really big crowd. Six cars in the car park, at most.

At the reception, They Came to a lady Who Was, Apparently, several functions-have, in addition to the receptionist.

-. We are the brother and sister of Mr. Borre Do you want to prevent prevention our visit.

-. I Call Him If you want to wait a moment.

After a call, it crams the immediate response of the occupant.

-. He is waiting for you on the first floor The stairs to your left. "

Manu, Followed By Michael found Themselves on the stairs, Into the top of qui, Antoine waiting.

- What do I owe the honor of this visit?

- If You Will, go to the Chat Into your office, "Said Manu.

Antoine's Preceded it and ushered in a small office Greater preconceived They HAD far. They armrests-settled in the chairs in front of Anthony.

Manu attacked This time immediately.

- I would like to retrieve the key That You hold to my house.

- But I'm out of your house key.

- You do not-have key and the neighbor, Mrs. Sornin That You Had Told us APPROBATION at two in the morning, A FEW days ago, When You're back home in my absence.

- And I witness, Michel Added shyly.

Michel Understood the Manu gamble. He Said the bluff happen Added a better If There sharing convictions of an ally.

Antoine Blushed and Manu felt she HAD speared.

About did he not admitted defeat and awkwardly tried to regain the initiative.

- She evidence of ict box?

Manu Continued to bluff.

- Yes., Anthony . She photographed forth out of the house I do not-have the photograph on me, I can send it aims to you.

- Oh. Why should I come to you?

The bluff works, thought Manu.

-. I found out That You Had come in search . The money That Was found in the trunk of the living room fireplace You have to let the pictures That show mom and dad. Thank you for 'em. I have desperately Sought. Would Have It saved me a lot of wasted time if I Knew Was someone in the collection secretly outside my mother.

Sarcasm Manu HAD touched Antoine raw. After the banderillas, let's blow the picador, she thought, remembering the words of Michael.

- I continues. Michel and I have tried moving your act. It est devenu very clear When We Were Informed That, Contrary to what the notary Had Told you, you do not viable financially Was leading broad in your business.

Anthony snapped, Suddenly. Of blushing, he est devenu crimson, with the sweat on His forehead.

He Sought a way out of the hunt That Manu HAD HIM tense.

-. That's right . I Looked forward to the mom estate is completed I Had financial problems to pay the last salary and I did not want to dismiss.

- This honor you, I admit, It Was not order the right way by Reviews entering Illegally break vis-à-vis myself and not seeking help from your brother. If you Told us Would not you be here shaking like a leaf Before us.

- I confess. Sorry, I Was afraid of losing my honor to you. Business is not what They Were. I Losses increasingly significant. The dad of time is completely Call gone. I tried to move to --other activities, without conclusive results. It takes time to get a business up and running of modernity. We must invest and when to it Brings no, you lose control. I made ​​loans to the bank and They Are not willing-to give me no news of new safeguards.

- I Understand and time, You Had to do a lot more.

- I did not put my wife aware of the situation. She Kept our pace of life. Breaking the children ,, I Was not thinking anymore.Then mom died. I do not know What Was going to bring me the estate. I Went back to look forward to a temporary issue, to think out of a bottomless pit in qui I Had filled. Dad Told me about a safe in the fireplace.

-. The lawyer Said que la succession soon comes to an end You'll Evaluated-have whether it is a hi door or It Will close up shop.

- I will repay you what ...

-. Good luck With That . I ask you Do not Even The Money does not help at all. We leave. I Hope that this time, You Understand Abebooks web Do not Even do anything to get out of the doldrums.

- Excuse me, Michael. Pardon, Manu, finally seeing em move Said Antoine Reviews towards the exit.

Manu HAD Understood That She Had won. She turned one last time.

-. Before leaving I have one last issue That burns my tongue long time. Since you're in a good mood for revelations, I would like you to answer me honestly.

- I owe You That.

- Why did you flee my father When mom wanted Moved Him to the house? Jealousy, has misunderstood authority ... or something else?

Antoine, still trembling with emotion, 'Said the insurance and Forcibly Laughed.

-. Your father, the Jew Who charmed my mother You do not mean it.

Manu gasped. She Had never thought of That. Where he HAD Heard the news That true or false, ACTED anti-Semitism and racism.

- How did you learn That I never Abebooks web sites Him Such a question.

-. I Learned it, that's all I phoned His use to know a little more about Him and he Told me. Then, I did not find it Every Day at my table.

- And a revelation de son thee employ enough to eject the family.

- You see There Any objection?

- An objection? What objection?

- And now, What Would You think of your father?

. - If you do not know, I've Spent the last Few weeks in Portugal to find my father There . For me, It Was Portuguese and That Was Enough We Talked a lot. It Has Become a scarce quality These Days: the softness and feel free of hospitality Abebooks web offer to the traveler simply Because It Is Elsewhere. Hospitality aussi That I-have received in His Family. You've Never Had the Slightest Idea That Implies what. You make me ashamed, Antoine. I think we-have nothing to say. You follow me, Michel, UNLESS you have, you still-have something to add?

-. No, you Said it all Like I Said, We had a truth to confirm and Antoine About did.

Michael and Manu left the office without closing the door and Descended the stairs without a word.

She Was fuming by Taking the steering wheel in the car to end up running:

- My father was right, There really racism When my father returned to Portugal.

-. You did not know my father, and Even less, my grandfather . His anti-Semitism Was much Worse In France, the Dreyfus affair HAD Divided Into the population two clans. My grandfather HAD beens Among the anti-Dreyfus. I remember very well the discussions There HAD beens in the family about it. DESPITE the defeat of the anti-Dreyfus, anti-Semitism and May Strengthen Would persist in conservative families. To the far right, it Was a shame for France and an insult to the army .

- Michael, are you try trying to exonerate Anthony? He HAD HAD not yet time to digest this time? Two wars Were not enough?

-. No, I'm not try trying to exonerate Him . Purpose shoulds you know, the story leaves indelible traces through the generations . This branch of the family has-been the sports history's 14-18 . Misplaced honor Again, Your Mother Was a Rebel . She Organized the break with all this family branch. He must Know That Was not well received mom dad When Introduced her to His parents.

-. I did not know ? He Told you Last Mother's letter About did not mention.

- No, drank it won't see too. Mom Was an artist Abebooks web do not want to-have to count in the family. For Them, There Was the only industry and mom Had the pest Was Introduced Into the great family apple. My father HAD seen a beautiful woman and mom Was enamored. He married her without Their consent. Then he HAD His factory and I can tell you que la Suffering of the proletariat born of industrialization Were not real Concerns for Him. You did not Know That. I Learned all this in as.

In the car, There Was No Any Words Exchanged along. She still Realized That She Had a lot of gap in the history of the family.

Michel About did not Attempt to break the heavy silence.

Manu Wondered if she would return to this issue When She Would find her father. The Jewish Question Was never matters if the Abebooks web sites Him Not what was happening in Israel in the news. His Father Had never Talked about going to the synagogue.If he Was a Jew, he HAD already long since taken the field with respect to religion.

In a Jewish family, it is always the mother Who passes the torch.

And a torch as a defect, She Would not take the consequences.

- Michael, I tell you That I made ​​a decision. Before returning to Belgium, Joao, the sound-my father Abebooks web sites marry me to Him. Historian, he wrote books and he Would like me to bring-my designer donations to Illustrate em. I WILL ACCEPT. He Had to go to New York. He Was Invited There For a week, to present His latest books. It Will Be for me a kind of journey Unlike That of Linda de Suza, goal without cardboard suitcase.

- I am very happy for you and for Him, Manu. This must be a consecration for a writer. As for your wedding, long time, Christiane and I did not Understand you old daughter Remains After your studies.

- Why are we what we are Do we know one day? I will prepare my departure, purpose do not worry, I will stay in touch with you, if it Makes You Happy.

-. Of course it makes me happy . I'm happy for you That You-have to find a soul mate and love . It Will Always Be a great pleasure to see you and see you again . We always stay in touch I have an urge and more and a reason to visit Portugal. A gap of more than I have to fill. I will name you as a guide.

Chapter 15: The disaster

"There is no luck, There Are appointments only," Paul Eluard

Arrived home Jumet, Michel and Manu kissed Before leaving.

Manu ouvert the television for not HAVING to think about, nothing to ruminate on what Anthony HAD beens.

There, Before His Eyes, loop Appeared the twin towers of New York That Were collide with two aircraft.

First, she thought a horror film.

It was a repetition of the scenes and changing channels qui made ​​her change her mind. There Was talk of attacks and everything was real.

Gradually, the link with Joao Who Was in New York, Took shape.

Therefore, anxiety Took over. She Began to tremble.

We had to act. It Inform. Call first to Carlos.

Perhaps, he HAD more information to confirm or invalidate the link with the event she saw on the screen.

Fever, she Looked the number. In the excitement, she couldn't remember Where She HAD parked. He HAD beens not Noted in a diary.

This Was one of the sheets of drawings she found the number, only without written Quickly the word "Carlos" attached.

She Introduced the number on the dial and a voice Saying:

-. If con Carlos Told me.

- Dad, it's me. Manu. I am very worried. Have you seen the news in New York? Joao must still be there, right?

- Hello, Manu. Yes, we all follow what happens there. Joao is expected to return in two days.

- Do you Know Where He Was going? Which hosted the presentation de son books?

-. I can give you more information . No, I do not know His schedule or Where He Was to go to New York . He Told me of the Twin Towers, I did not order pay careful This is a monstrous catastrophe Before Abebooks web-have on TV. I'm just as scared as you are.

- Family, That She Said?

-. I tried to hide this from my mother She Sees it as her little son, I already phoned Joao Because she Remembered That Was in America, but not in New York. She Was For Him proud. I tried to reassure Him That There Was New York was great goal. For how long? The family and the armada of people revolve around it Who Will Quickly to alert and confirm That Was Justified His fear. I will like you to keep seeing the consequences of this terrorist attack. I ' ll phone as soon as I have news. Purpose must settle all this. There are So Many places to Joao Can Be in New York.

-. Thank You . I have not given you my phone number . Is the 00-32713202041 You Remain the central rallying points. I'll retéléphonerai Every Day if considers.

-. I Noticed your number I will not digress too much of the phone. A later, you do not panic too much.

Manu hung up. She Knew That attitude to take. A waiting period entre fear and hope, Began with the phone and television nearby.

The Following two days, nothing changed. The next day, nothing new on the side of Carlos. She Had dreamed of living with this event and Joao Could change His future life.

She Began to think about making herself in New York.

Then she gave up the idea. It Was His Family overstepping rights.

It retéléphona Carlos.

. - Hello Dad ? Still no news of Joao . I can not sleep For once, I Was happy with Joao, I do not want to lose Him After Such a short time.

-. Not really . I called New York . They are still open problems . They try not to scare Either Many people cam out of the Twin Towers collapse Before They, They Told me. in Hospitals, There are still people Who are under the psychological Suffocated by shock or concrete debris. The Injured-have to Give Their identity.

- And Joao Was not listed.

-. I Do Not I gave my name and phone number at the New York Information Centre. My mother Told me to go on location in New York. She Was willing-to-pay me for the trip. You think That I refusé.

- I fear, Dad. I Had, too, boulot to go there. I feel to miss an Opportunity To Be helpful.

- What would you do? There, you know no one. My daughter, Luisa, in Lisbon, is Prevented and is like you, with unfeigned anxiety.

- I agree, it's purpose in my kind. I Could wait forever without going to inform me. Please do as soon as you-have Any news, let me know no matter what time of day or night.

. - OK I leave you to not monopolize the phone.

In the evening, half past ten It Was When The phone row. At the end --other, a familiar voice, That de son father Who Had a cheerful tone, bilingual, with a perceptible emotion.

- Manu, Joao is safe. Tudo bem. I just learn. It is oven hours in New York. Upon awakening, Joao Gave His Name and the hospital Enable notifications the Information Centre. You did not Realize as has-been jumping for joy everyone I ' ve Warned you before.My mother Was Entitled to the first, as it shoulds be.

- Dad, I want to jump for joy, kiss you, kiss. Should he stay long in the hospital in New York?

- They Told Me That There Was still under observation and Could leave the hospital Within a day after the police interrogation.Then he can regain Portugal. It Appears That fly to Europe and from Europe is with great difficulty. True security fever.

-. I'll squeeze the movement to join . I Decided to sell the house I go through an agency. I'm going to present to 'em. In a week, I'll join you.

- That's exciting news.

-. Abebooks web sites Joao me to marry Him . I have not given an answer Him Before I return to Belgium . I give Him On His return This is "yes".

- If he Asks me, could I Give Him your answer?

- Yes of course.

-. I am very happy for Him and for you . I'll wait I will be patented Before Your return.

Realized Manu, once again, the fragility of things and happiness is That When He shows up and in a very limited time slot.

Since That event, She Was Pleased to-have sold as Quickly, advances Joao. She Realized That She Could Have Lost a happy experience.

Chapter 16: Epilogue

"Only history Has No end. "Charles Baudelaire

10 December 2001, on the terrace of the hotel in Albufeira.

The Cocktail Before Wedding Joao and Manu, Began.

By the pool, There Were at least a hundred people with glasses of champagne in Portuguese hands.

The mild weather Was. The hotel was less filled with tourists DURING THE summer. Rooms HAD-been booked since the Day For Those Who wanted to stay more than one day.

In a general hubbub, we installed small internship, three international musicians Played music mixed with Portuguese songs.

A crooner singing American songs with a voice That Strongly resembled That of Frank Sinatra.

Manu and Joao, hand in hand.

At the end of a song, Carlos Ascended the platform. He raised His glass and made ​​a speech in qui Manu About did not Understand a word. He must have humor Because At Every award, The Whole assembly burst out laughing. If She Had Learned a Few common words in Portuguese by learning Joao, It Was still far from understanding the subtleties and hold a Conversation en ce language. Manu smiling.

Joao Laughed and wrinkles Were still frozen in His face.

Manu puts HAD Luiza, daughter of Carlos.

A little Younger than Manu, complicity HAD-settled entre em. English est devenu, for the time, the language of passage. She Had Known half-brothers by the mother, a half-sister-have with the Saami father, it changed. In addition, They HAD Looked like traits of characters.

Manu Recalled the episode of New York, with her. The anxiety Was at height icts On His side. They thought Their father and the Deaths of milliers That HAD HAD not a chance to escape unscathed. Each Said She Would never forget. The cannon ball Was Passed too close to not leave Any traces. Their Father Had Told em the story of the slaughter of innocents with more emotional Details That Could do with the media images.

Michel and his wife Christiane Were the only guests from Belgium. They HAD arrived the day before and serve as a witness Would to the marriage of Manu and Joao. They HAD HAD not yet time to talk a lot together.

They felt a little lonely and clung to Manu as a shadow. Manu Michel Took by the hand away from the noise.

- Manu, ready for a new life?

-. I do not know if sociology and anthropology serve me in this new life . You never know My talents drawings, I did not think at All That it can serve to someone and it is They Who Pleased Joao-have.

- I am happy to teach you the deed to the house of Jumet Was signed by a pair of young people. Young people Who-have Had to take a loan for this purpose. Review: The most fun, it's a coincidence. The wife of the torque is of Portuguese origin while he is in Brussels.

-. There is no luck, There Are appointments only meeting suites . I am very pleased with this option . I Had tried to Avoid returning to Belgium Aim to sign the deed of sale Before a notary, I have three months, it was Will Be luck to 'em and tell' em know the story of the house. Go to Belgium in winter, this is not really the best season, goal I will hold it for the end of January or February. Knowing better and better the Portuguese, I know I Will Be welcome, and I can always ask 'em to see what They Will do from home.

-. Another new, the estate-settled Was The notary HAS la même Transferred Amount Each one of our three accounts.

- Important sum? I am not Interested en ce. I have not Consulted my account.

-. Importantly, it depends For Whom and for what purpose . For you and me it Can Be If, with this Amount, Antoine must have received a bit of fresh air in ict accounts, This Was Not Sufficient to meet debts icts. I Heard That he HAD a composition Abebooks web sites For His business. It is not yet bankrupt, aim it comes close.

-. Aille I say "go" for ict employed. He got what he deserved. I do not get to-have pity for Him.

- For Him, this Should Be the Berezina or the retreat from Russia. Aim forget it by today. You, I guess you're happy now.

-. I've never beens la même . There is new Reviews another Concerns me . There are some days I have-been to the gynecologistClearly, a happy event Normally Will fill us with joy in A Few months. The gynecologist Advised me to Take Some rest. I have already Informed Joao, but not Carlos. If it Becomes grandfather, I guess There Will Be No problem.

With That, she Went to Carlos.

- Dad, can I ask you a silly question?

- This is the one I prefer.

- Would you like to Be a grandfather?

- That's right, you're going to-have a baby. What a joy. Do not make me languish. What name will you give her?

-. We Discussed Joao and me . What would you say if Laura is a girl and a boy Rafael These Are That names exist in Portugal and Belgium.

- I love the options.

- There is one thing I need you as explanation That I Learned When I Was Recently in Belgium and That I made for me so far.

- Discharge yourself from this news.

-. Do you remember your return to Portugal After being white Chased by Antoine why I Learned When Michael and I Went to See Him At His Office.

- Oh, I'm all ears.

-. You were right, It Was Because Of Racism He HAD Learned by your use at the time You Were Jewish.

- No, I'm not. Did you Believed? Suspicion, Gossip Are The Reasons worst. What did you say?

-. That made ​​me ashamed I foutrais Personally I have you be.

-. This is Exactly what i would say . If I had been, Would Have it changed anything I can tell you That my mother About did not sent me this kind of message. That's it.

Joao, Who HAD Heard the conversation, intervened.

-. Well Done For your information, Manu, know That There are still Some Sephardic Jewish Communities in Portugal. Mainly in Lisbon, Porto, Belmonte, They Are very heterogeneous goal. I read That There Was a resurgence transforming the old Lisbon community.

- See, I have Told you, Manu, Joao HAS always the last word, Carlos said.

A laughter Took all three.

That's When someone knocked on a plate for call to order. We had to go to the town hall And Then to the church.

It Was not at synagogue and Manu-have-been expected, aim the small Catholic Church of Albufeira.

The stories of families May-have a happy ending, aim to get When we go back to basics, shoulds They expect to find dangerous maze.

History is always written by the victors. Manu About did not know if she Was a part. Goal That Day, she felt icts force.

What Was That She Was he safe Had to invite the right people around Him to reassure, to give himself a chance of happiness and bypass Perhaps icts own meanders.

It May Be That, Having called Expired has "happy destiny."

END