It was the second month of winter. The little boy asked the same question. She replied with the usual. His father did not come back yet. He was not expecting his return. But, bringing up his name around the house, made it seem as his place is not that empty, and he would come sooner.
She knew that their little kid, wanted something to eat. The food they had was not enough. It was a rough time, and she was not able to provide more. She occupies herself with house chores and at nights, she makes the place ready, as if they were expecting her husband, the next morning. Her biggest worry was not, his absence or, the shortage of food. She was worried that some day, she would show weakness in front of that boy. She was the only one who was providing him strength. But, she knew that all she has is some words of wisdom. She was trying to give something she did not have.
Until one cloudy day, someone came by. He said that he was sent by her husband to deliver them with some necessities. He gave her a box. She rushed to open it, forgetting to say goodbye to the guy on the door. She saw some canned food and a letter. She rushed outside to wake her son who was sleeping on that wooden chair besides their house backdoor. She called his name multiple times. But, the boy had closed his eyes for the last time.
Era o segundo mês do inverno. O menino fez a mesma pergunta de sempre. Ela respondeu com a de sempre. O pai dele ainda não tinha voltado. Ela não esperava o retorno dele. Mas, ao mencionar o nome dele pela casa, ela dava a impressão de que o lugar não estava tão vazio e que ele voltaria logo.
Ela sabia que o filhinho queria comer. A comida que tinham não era suficiente. Era uma época difícil e ela não tinha condições de providenciar mais. Ela se ocupava com as tarefas domésticas e, à noite, arrumava a casa como se esperassem o marido na manhã seguinte. Sua maior preocupação não era a ausência dele nem a falta de comida. Ela temia que, algum dia, demonstrasse fraqueza diante do menino. Ela era a única que lhe dava forças. Mas sabia que tudo o que tinha eram palavras de sabedoria. Ela estava tentando dar algo que lhe faltava.
Até que, num dia nublado, alguém apareceu. Disse que fora enviado pelo marido dela para trazer algumas coisas necessárias. Deu-lhe uma caixa. Ela correu para abrir a porta, esquecendo-se de se despedir do homem que estava lá. Viu algumas latas de comida e uma carta. Correu para fora para acordar o filho, que dormia naquela cadeira de madeira ao lado da porta dos fundos. Chamou-o várias vezes. Mas o menino já havia fechado os olhos pela última vez.
