Isidoro Meléndez is a descendant, through his father's line, of a wealthy family of bankers. His mother, Esther Benítez, is a prominent cardiologist who practices her profession in the city where they live. His father marked his destiny from birth; all the males in the Meléndez family are bankers. Esther was a little more flexible, but her husband, Oscar, always determined to continue the family tradition, encouraged her from the time Isidoro was born.
The child was only with his mother for three months. After that time he was literally separated from her. Esther would return to her profession and Isidoro would be a banker. That was the agreement she accepted with her husband. Oscar hired a governess to take care of the baby.
A year went by and everything was going as agreed until Esther became pregnant again. The pregnancy began with complications and Isidoro only received cold affection from his nanny, Eva. This estrangement marked the child's character.
At 7 months, Alondra was born prematurely. Isidore's sister needed special care until she was two years old, so the child felt left out again. After this time he was able to play freely with his sister. This moment of unexpected joy was captured on film by the cold and joyful Eva, who hid it in the library out of fear. She shared this boldness with Esther who, upon hearing it, commented:
-You did well, knowing my husband, I would consider that a sign of weakness in Isidoro's character.-
Years went by and although the siblings had very different characters, Isidoro fearful and introverted, stammering if he was nervous; Alondra bold, extroverted and talkative, they always got along very well.
One day, Oscar, had to consult one of the books.....He enters the library and takes out the required book but, at the same time, he notices that there is something behind.....he discovers the hidden film. Hysterical he starts shouting:
-Eva, Eva, Eva, come immediately.
Eva, as if sensing the worst, enters the library .... her pale face and sweaty hands give her away. When Oscar sees her immediately, he realizes what happened 15 years ago and does not forgive:
-You are fired.-
Eva leaves the library in tears. She runs into Isidoro, looking him in the eyes she says:
-Help me, please.-
-Eva, you know I can't do anything.-
The young man answers.
-Yes, for everyone's sake I am leaving. But I will always have you in my heart," Eva answers sobbing and giving him a warm hug, a farewell hug, which reached Isidoro's soul. .....
In the evening Esther arrives, her children are waiting for the right moment to tell her the news. She answers with resignation:
-I can't do anything-.
-Mom, you have to reveal yourself. Dad is a dictator. That's why you and my brother have such a temper.-
-Daughter, you have to understand...- says Esther crying and, unable to articulate another word, she goes out to her favorite corner to hide from everyone...
The vivacious Alondra retires to her room and, there, she turns her head round and round..... decides to support Isidore with all her might from now on. She thinks out loud:
-My brother is very applied, has good grades, is polite, excessively obedient and also has several skills. It's only fair that he gets his dream of being an announcer and entertainer, although my parents find that embarrassing. I'm going to tell him what I think ....-
As it was late, to avoid suspicion, Alondra calls her brother on the phone...
-I'll meet you in the courtyard in half an hour. I'll be waiting for you.-
-Okay, I'll be there.-
They meet stealthily and Alondra suggests a plan:
-Isidoro, you have good looks, you're good looking, you've been training your voice and you've stopped stuttering. You are also a born entertainer. Now it's your turn to master stage fright. Let's try opening an account on youtube. There you are not in contact with the public directly. You'll even be able to see how popular you are. What do you think?-
-What if dad finds out?- asks the frightened Isidoro.
-Forget about that, mom and dad don't have time to be on the Internet. They always come home tired from work. Let's record when they are not at home and then you upload the videos.-
-I'll trust you. I think it's a good idea.
In a week they prepared. Isidoro arranged the scripts, he would begin as an entertainer relating historical facts in a jocular way. Although shy, that was one of his skills, he entertained the audience very well. He would also include sports narration.
The recordings began immediately.
Isidoro uploaded everything to youtube. Five months passed and he already had 500,000 followers. When Alondra finds out about it, she suggests:
-Now you should do a poll to find out if the public wants to see you sing and act, as if you were recording a video clip. If everything goes well that would indicate that you passed the most difficult test. Then you would be ready for graduation.-
Isidoro happily and enthusiastically answers:
-Yes, let's see what happens-.
Three more months went by and he already had a million followers. Unexpectedly, Isidoro had left insecurity. Even so, the two brothers continued studying and obtaining excellent grades. They did not arouse suspicion. Their parents, always busy, didn't hear anything until graduation day.....
Isidoro would graduate from high school. At his sister's insistence, he volunteered to emcee the event. The graduation, at the International School, would be a social event. Everything promised to be a wonderful and unforgettable spectacle.
The long-awaited day arrived. Everyone was dressed in their best clothes. Alondra, who had always been in contact with Eva, sent her the invitation. They arrived at the school theater and sat down. Next to Oscar is the famous TV sports commentator, Andrés Oteiza. The show begins.... Upon seeing Isidoro, as an entertainer, the father feels embarrassed. Esther squeezes his hand trying to calm him down. He holds on until he sees him sing and perform.
-I don't want artists in my family," he grumbles under his breath until ..... All the attendees rise from their seats to applaud him and Mr. Oteiza congratulates him for having such a charismatic son and a good student. At that moment Oscar understood his son's true vocation. Alondra, knowing her father, told him:
-Calm down dad, Isidoro will not be an artist. He did that show as a final test to face his shyness to speak in public. He will be an announcer and will study Advertising.
At that moment the whole family, including Eva, embraced excitedly. The dictator rectified .....
The dictator rectified by María del Carmen Sánchez Copyright © 2022
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)