Epilogue - Guilherme
Honestly, having your parents get married when you're seven years old is embarrassing. This outfit itches and nobody even cares about poor little me. Everyone walks past, pinches my cheeks, tells some dumb joke, compliments me, and takes off. Bunch of annoying people.
The funniest part? They only notice me when they feel like it.
Sometimes that's a good thing. Like when I saw Aunt Priscila give Uncle Xande the biggest slap because he was, according to her—my dad uses that “according to someone” phrase a lot—hitting on some random woman.
Mom says you shouldn't refer to anyone like that. Aunt Priscila loves talking like that.
The garden at home was so decorated that I even saw my Grandma Eleanor cry. She said it was happy tears. I believed her.
There's a red carpet that goes all the way to a little stage with a table. They told me that's where I need to take the little pillow with the rings. Uncle David will tell me when. I need to pay attention.
My cousins, on my mom's side of the family, are kind of weird. Uncle Nat says they don't bite. I laugh. What else can I do?!
Suddenly, Aunt Bárbara grabs me and carries me to the little stage. Everyone sits down, looking at Dad, who looks like a penguin. They said I was supposed to walk down this carpet. I even rehearsed. No way! You couldn't pay me to do something like that. I hate spotlights. I sounded just like Mom.
One day I heard her and Dad arguing. Mom didn't want a wedding like this.
He agreed in the end, no big events. Mom always wins.
The next day Aunt Priscila and Aunt Bárbara showed up, and that's when they win.
Mom tells me democracy is democracy. Hmph, sure.
Now we're here, at this party, just waiting for the moment to eat the sweets.
Dad looks back and winks at me. I wink back and give him a thumbs up. I see Aunt Bárbara and Uncle Olavo's hands join together. I look up and like seeing them smile.
A pretty song starts playing. Dad looks toward the end of the carpet with a goofy face. He makes that face a lot when he's with Mom. My mom really is the most beautiful woman in the world. As soon as she's next to Dad, I run, slip out of Aunt Barbs's hands, and stand next to him.
“I'm marrying her today too,” I announce for everyone to hear.
Some people laugh. I don't care. I've learned to be more myself.
Mom crouches down while Dad hides his laugh. Silly.
“That was your plan all along, little man?”
“Yes, Mom, and it worked,” I kiss her cheek. “Let's get married!” I cup my hand to her ear—only she can know this part. “I have the rings.”
Mom's laugh is so beautiful.
When it's time for the rings, Dad and I put Mom's on, but mine doesn't fit.
It's huge. Looks like I didn't plan so well after all.
I shrink back, handing it to him—he's way bigger than me—before Mom puts it on his finger.
Dad opens his hand and shows me a beautiful colorful ring, my size.
Mom smiles at him and I fall even more in love with the most incredible woman in the entire universe.
During our wedding party, I see Grandma Louise hug Mom.
They cry. I'm about to go defend Mom when Aunt Priscila grabs me mid-air.
This woman is strong. They say she even flies.
I doubt it, but Grandpa Nicácio told me he's seen everything in this life, so I don't doubt anything. Except Santa Claus—that man scares me.
“They're working things out, little one,” Aunt Pri whispers in my ear, which tickles. “Don't interrupt the moment.”
I sigh, because Aunt Pri is really beautiful too, and smart. The problem is nobody comes close to my mom.
“Hey, hand that little guy over,” Dad takes me in his arms. I squirm, because I'm a big kid now, not a baby like Aunt Paula's and Aunt Bárbara's.
“Easy there, groom, I was just...” She points at Mom and Grandma. “Did you see?”
“Yes,” Dad answers, “I'm keeping an eye on it.”
“We are too,” Uncle David and Uncle Olavo arrive. What strange people.
“What am I not seeing? It's just Grandma with Mom, duh.”
The four of them laugh and I know they're fooling me. I'll keep an eye on it too, hmph!
I dance a lot, run around and play so much that I don't even want to sleep.
“You need to go to bed, little man,” Mom hugs me tight. “We'll be back in a week.”
“Okay, I know already... can I play more now?”
“No, my love, you need to listen,” she strokes my head and I almost fall asleep. “Aunt Bárbara and Uncle Olavo will take care of you while we're gone. Behave yourself, please.”
I lie down and see my parents kiss. Argh, they do that a lot. I don't know what's so great about it!
I didn't know a week would take so long to pass. At first it was cool, but then... I just wanted my mom. I'm not proud of that at all. When they got back, they brought so many presents! But the first thing I did was run to her.
In the last box—I didn’t understand why everyone was staring at me—I opened it and found a tiny outfit.
“Mom, Dad, seriously?”
They nodded so hard I got dizzy. Why were they smiling?
“Aw man, you got my size wrong...”
They laughed at me.
“No, sweetheart, it’s not for you.”
“Read what it says, son.”
“Hi, big brother”
I made a face, still not getting it.
“Now look at what else is in the box.”
I pulled out the paper—a t-shirt that said:
“Promoted to big brother”
“Oh, this one fits me!” I was thrilled.
Everyone laughs again.
I run to hug Mom and Dad.